APPENDIX D
Facts about Michigan

[APRIL 1, 1998]

NAME  The name of the state derives from Michigama, a Chippewa word meaning "large lake." Michigan is nicknamed the Wolverine State. Residents are referred to as Michiganians or Michiganders.

SIZE  Michigan is 456 miles long and 386 miles wide and has 56,817 square miles of land.

POPULATION  As of July 1997, the U.S. Bureau of the Census estimates that Michigan has 9,773,892 residents, ranking the state 8th among the 50.

CAPITAL  Lansing was named the capital city in 1847, and the state capitol building was built in 1879.

ADMISSION TO THE UNION  On January 26, 1837, Michigan became the 26th state to be admitted.

MOTTO  Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice, meaning "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."

SEAL  The present seal was adopted by the legislature in 1911. At the center is a shield on which a man is depicted standing on a shore with the sun at his back. His right hand is upheld, symbolizing peace, and in his left hand is a gun stock, indicating his readiness to defend his state and nation. Above him is the word Tuebor, meaning "I will defend." The shield is supported on the right by a moose and on the left by an elk. Below the shield is the state motto and above is a bald eagle, representing the nation.  In the bird’s right talon is an olive branch with 13 olives, symbolizing a desire for peace and the 13 original states; in the left talon are three arrows, symbolizing a willingness to defend principle. Above the eagle is the national motto, E pluribus unum, meaning "From many, one." The outer edge of the seal is encircled by the words "The Great Seal of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV."

COUNTIES  Michigan has 83 counties.

INLAND WATER  There are 11,037 inland lakes in Michigan, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 1,573 square miles of inland water.

GREAT LAKES  Michigan borders on four of the five Great Lakes: Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior. The state’s Great Lakes shoreline (including islands) is 3,288 miles.

REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS  Michigan has two U.S. senators and is entitled (based on population) to 16 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

LEGISLATURE  Thirty-eight senators and 110 representatives comprise the Michigan Legislature.

FLAG  The present state flag was adopted by the legislature in 1911. On a dark blue field is the state coat of arms, which is identical to the state seal but without the words "The Great Seal of Michigan, A.D. MDCCCXXXV."

BIRD  The robin was adopted as the state bird by a House concurrent resolution in 1931.

FISH  The brook trout was adopted as the state fish by legislative act in 1987.

FLOWER  The apple blossom was adopted as the state flower by a legislative joint resolution in l897.

GAME MAMMAL  The white-tailed deer was designated the state’s official game mammal by legislative act in 1997.

GEM  The chlorastrolite (known as the greenstone) was adopted as the state gem by legislative act in 1972.

SOIL  Kalkaska soil was adopted as the state soil by legislative act in 1990.

STONE  The Petoskey stone was adopted as the state stone by legislative act in 1965.

TREE  The white pine was adopted as the state tree by legislative act in 1955.

 CONTENT CURRENT AS OF APRIL 1, 1998.

Copyright 1998 Public Sector Consultants, Inc.