Michigan

Several remarkable features define Michigan as unique among the 50 states. The state consists of two distinct peninsulas separated by the Straits of Mackinac and joined only by the Mackinac Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere. Michigan is easily identified by the four Great Lakes that touch its borders, as well as the famous mitten shape of its lower peninsula.

Michigan boasts a wealth of natural resources, including 11,037 inland lakes, 36,350 miles of rivers and 150 waterfalls. Approximately half of Michigan’s land – 19.3 million acres – is made of forests, and the state provides habitat for abundant wildlife – large and small game, fish and fowl.

Once home to a booming auto industry, Michigan has been hit hard by the decline of manufacturing in the U.S. and the economic recession of the late 2000s. At 10.6%, Michigan’s unemployment rate was highest in the country as of January 2009, and the state’s rate of home foreclosures was 7th in the nation. Nearly two-thirds of Michigan consumers expected the economic downturn to last another five years, according to a February 2009 consumer survey.

by Nancy Adams Are you a writer, passionate about this or any other topic? Join Blogcritics!

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “Michigan”

• Bobo in no hurry … but why?

  
  The Junkyard Blawg — Authority: 521
  Quit messing around, Mike. (Georgia Sports Communications) I’m puzzled by the way offensive coordinator Mike Bobo flirts with using the no-huddle offense. Over the past couple of seasons, whenever Bobo has gone hurry-up, the Dogs usually have moved the ball well. And then just as his offense is clicking in the ...
  9 hours ago

• College Football High 5: Central Michigan beats Toledo

  
  College Gridiron 365 Blog — Authority: 555
  Central Michigan beats Toledo 56-28 Buzz: Dan LeFevour scores six touchdowns in the win Wednesday night. How would Georgia fare in the ACC? Buzz: Mark Bradley of the AJC says the Bulldogs wouldnt win it this year. Who is the...
  12 hours ago

• PURE CRAP…

  
  Michigan Taxes Too Much — Authority: 470
  An attempt to relate obesity with minimum wage : Real minimum wage decreases can explain 10% of the change in BMI since 1970. We conclude that the declining real minimum wage rates has contributed to the increasing rate of overweight and obesity in the United States. I’m not making this up..  these are not ...
  13 hours ago

• Links of Interest for Michigan - Recruiting

  
  GBMW Go Blue Michigan Wolverine — Authority: 442
  Recruiting: Devin Gardner: UM Commit – explodes in victory --- great athleticism Stephen Hopkins: UM Commit – all-time rusher Austin White: UM Commit – prevented from getting loose Drew Dileo: UM Commit – UM unique Ricardo Miller: UM Commit – TD performance Kenny Shaw: 8 catches Kenny ...
  13 hours ago

• Palin book tour will look a lot like a presidential bid launch ... Hmmm, a coincidence?

  
  Top of the Ticket — Authority: 782
  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin plans to launch her book tour next week with an appearance on "Oprah" and a book signing at a Barnes & Noble in Grand Rapids, Mich. With a memoir called "Going Rogue," Palin returns to the place where she earned that title, parting company with the decision by Republican John ...
  13 hours ago

• The Great Recession and Law School Admissions (cont.)

  
  Accepted Admissions Almanac — Authority: 122
  According to Elizabeth Seger, Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Michigan Law School, "Our guidelines for personal statements have not changed in light of economic changes, nor do we plan to make any changes to our application." She adds, "If an applicant wishes to discuss ...
  14 hours ago

• Headlines from the Sporting World

  
  The Sports Union — Authority: 126
  In order to help sports fans navigate through the ever spinning PR machine, J.David gives his round-up of the weekly sports headlines. He removes the bull and reads in between the lines to the uncover the real story and the real meaning of these top stories.
  14 hours ago

• Coach Rods Press Conference Updates

  
  The BIG HOUSE Blog — Authority: 131
  Minors ankle and shoulder are still giving him problems and he remains day to day. Minor did not do any contact drills on Tuesday. Odoms is still day to day with his knee as well, he did practice a little on Tuesday. Molk is planning to have surgery today on his knee. Hemingway also has a sore back and is on ...
  14 hours ago

• Lansing 150 Grand Finale

  
  Absolute Michigan — Authority: 126
  Its Lansings Birthday! by Eridony 2009 is the Sesquicentennial of the City of Lansing . The Lansing 150 Grand Finale is next Friday (Nov 20) immediately following Silver Bells in the City from 8-11 PM in the Lansing Center. This event concludes Lansing’s year long Sesquicentennial Birthday Party and will ...
  14 hours ago

• Working hard

  
  Life in the Bogs — Authority: 127
  (173:  Swimming in Lake Michigan.  Chicago, IL.  October 2009.) M and I had quite a day yesterday.  We rented a brush cutter (pretty much like this one ) to mow the meadows.  It’s been at least two years since the meadows have been mowed.  They seem to benefit from a good cut every now and then.  My only ...
  14 hours ago

• Is Bobby Bowden the most overpaid coach in America?

  
  College Gridiron 365 Blog — Authority: 555
  Most university presidents believe skyrocketing coaching salaries are the biggest impediment to financial sustainability in collegiate athletics. The USA Today has supplied the proof. In its excellent analysis of coaching salaries in college football, USA Today found: -- At least...
  15 hours ago

• Re: Silver and more!!!!!!

  
  TreasureNet Forum — Authority: 189
  great hunt Mike!  congrats on them oldies, good looking silver.  great picture of that sunset too. 
  15 hours ago

• Re: Sleigh bells ringing 11/11/09

  
  TreasureNet Forum — Authority: 189
  Yes indeedy...that Barber is real nice! Bells, pretty good haul FFD
  15 hours ago

• Emptiness

  
  Michigan in Pictures — Authority: 126
  Emptiness, photo by Mike Lanzetta.See this bigger in Mike’s “fog” slideshow and check out “fog” on Michigan in Pictures and even more foggy goodness from the Absolute Michigan pool!
  16 hours ago

• THIS JUST IN: Rich Rodriguez is not bad at stuff?

  
  CollegeGameBalls: College Football at its Finest — Authority: 555
  Magglio Merkin is an ‘06 Western Michigan alumnus who enjoys swearing, Saturdays in the Big House and slaying misinformed Internet commenters. He’s currently pursing a graduate degree at Michigan. He lives by the motto, “Drinking is Fun!” I know what you are thinking. How can Rich Rod not be the ...
  16 hours ago

• Game Preview: Purdue Boilermakers v. Michigan State Spartans

  
  Confessions of a Sports Junkie — Authority: 125
  We have finally come to the last home game of the season. It really do es not seem like that long ago that I was getting pumped up for the Toledo game. Now we are getting ready to say goodbye to the seniors, and hopefully set up a huge game against the Hoosiers next week. For now though we have the pesky Spartans ...
  16 hours ago

• Getting Realistic About Wisconsins Fiscal Crisis

  
  Featured States News — Authority: 156
  Original Author:  paul soglin This was not the best of news: 10 states face looming budget disasters Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin join California as those most at risk of fiscal calamity, according to the report by ...
  17 hours ago

• Thornton: No plans to be in Athens for Georgia-Auburn

  
  AJC College Sports Recruiting — Authority: 592
  By all accounts, Stephenson defensive tackle Mike Thornton will choose between Georgia and Auburn sometime between now and Christmas. So surely he plans to be at their game this Saturday at Sanford Stadium. Guess again. “I don’t know if I’m going up there or not,” the 6-foot-2, 280-pound senior said. ...
  18 hours ago

• Genesee Valley Center making changes in wake of New Boyz concert chaos

  
  Detroit Business News — Authority: 822
  Mall-goers exit the Genesee Valley Center after fights broke out during a free New Boyz concert that was held in the malls J.C. Penny court Sunday afternoon.Hollyn Johnson | The Flint JournalFLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan — Sunday’s concert melee won’t deter...
  18 hours ago

• Hunting Accident: An accidental shooting in Tama County has left...

  
  Sports & recreation - sports-rec.marc8.com — Authority: 458
  Authorities say a Michigan man was injured in a freak hunting incident west of Belle Plaine in Tama County.
  19 hours ago

Comments about Michigan