| Michigan is among the most populous states of the United States with an estimated population of about 10 million residents. The state ranks eighth in population and eleventh in area. It consists of two separate peninsulas with a total area of 97,990 square miles. The Lower Peninsula is often called "the mitten" because of its shape. The Upper Peninsula, the residents of which are often called "Yoopers", is rich in natural resources and offers an ideal destination for tourists. The Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile-long channel, separates the two peninsulas. Michigan is the only state in the US that consists of two peninsulas and this has provided it with the longest freshwater coastline in the world. There are about 12,000 inland lakes in Michigan. It also has a very high number of registered recreational boats and ranks third in this respect behind California and Florida. On the south of the state is Ohio and Indiana. From the east to west, it is bounded by four of the five Great Lakes, namely Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Lansing is the capital whereas Detroit is the largest city of the state. |
