Happy Birthday Michigan

Michigan became the 26th U.S. state on this date in 1837.

Some facts about the state of Michigan…

State Bird: Robin

State Flower: Apple Blossom

State Song: "My Michigan"

State Tree: White Pine

State Mammal: White-tailed Deer

State Reptile: Painted Turtle

State Fish: Brook Trout

The name Michigan is derived from the Indian words "Michi-gama" meaning large lake.

The State Nickname is the "Great Lake State." Others include "Wolverine State" or "Water Winter Wonderland."

The State motto is "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice."
(If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.)

Michigan includes:

57,022 sq. mi. of land area (16,439 sq. mi. in the U.P.)

1,194 sq. mi. of inland waters

38,575 sq. mi. of Great Lake water area

3,126 miles of Great Lakes shoreline (more fresh water coastline than any other state)

19,000,000 acres of forest cover

Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes.

40 of Michigan's 83 counties touch at least one of the Great Lakes.

Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams.

You are never more than six miles from one of them.

Anywhere in Michigan, you are within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes.