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Fun Facts About Michigan

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Do you want to explore the 26th state with us? 

Take a look at these fun facts about Michigan!

In the year 1837, Michigan became the 26th state to join the union! 

The first inhabitants of the land were Native American tribes. 

Today, eleven tribes still call Michigan home. 

Did you know that the name Michigan comes from a Native American Ojibwe word, ‘Mishigamaa’? 

Mishigamaa means ‘large water’ or ‘large lake’. 

Because more than 40 percent of the state is made up of water, the word mishigamaa sure does seem to fit. 

Mishigamaa became Michigan, and that is how the state got its name.    

Fun Facts About Michigan

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Michigan State Facts

The Great Lakes State is Another Name for Michigan

Michigan has the nickname of the Great Lakes State. 

Because four of the five Great Lakes border the state, it has earned this name. 

Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, and Erie all come onto the shores of Michigan land. 

In fact, those four Great Lakes actually divide the state into two big pieces.  

Two Peninsulas Make Up the State of Michigan

Michigan is the only US state made up of two peninsulas:  the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula (also called ‘the mitten’). 

There is a 5-mile suspension bridge, the Mackinac Bridge, that connects both pieces of Michigan together. 

Incredible!

Fun Facts About Michigan

Michigan Has One of the World’s Friendliest Islands

Mackinac Island is one of the friendliest islands in the world. 

This 80-mile island is very special for a number of reasons.

One unique fact about the island is that there are no cars allowed. 

Getting around can only be done by bicycles, carriage horses, and ferry boats. 

Mackinac Island is reminiscent of a simpler time, full of natural beauty, and the entire island is a National Historic Landmark. 

Wow!

There is a Floating Post Office in Michigan

America’s only floating post office is in the great state of Michigan. 

A boat named J.W. Westcott II and its captains have been delivering mail and other packages to sailors on ships for over 140 years. 

If that’s not cool enough, the floating post office is the only boat in the country with its own zip code: 48222. 

Who knew? 

Fun Facts About Michigan

The Car Capital of the World is in Michigan

The city of Detroit, MI is the car capital of the world. 

Also known as Motor City or Motown, Detroit earned this nickname back in the early 1900’s. 

Why? 

Well, the city was believed to be the center of the automotive industry, and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. 

With the invention of the automobile assembly line by Henry Ford, the production of cars skyrocketed and the city became known as the birthplace for motor vehicles. 

Totally Interesting Michigan Facts

These interesting fun facts about Michigan are only some of the things that make Michigan special. 

Not only is the Great Lakes State made up of two peninsulas, but it has a landmark island, a floating post office, and it’s home to the car capital of the world. 

These incredible facts show that Michigan is truly a one-of-a-kind state.

Do you know any other fun facts about Michigan? 

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