Michigan Almanac: State Facts and Figures

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Michigan Almanac

Official Name

Michigan

Capital

Lansing

Nick Name

Wolverine State

Motto

Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumsice If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you

Location & Region

42.70910 N, 084.55399 W

Midwest

Constitution Ratified

April 1,1963

Statehood

January 26, 1837

26th state

Population

9,938,444

174.94 sq mi.

8th

Largest City
(by population)

Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Flint, Sterling Heights, Lansing

Bordering States

Illinois - Indiana - Ohio - Wisconsin

Number of Counties

83 Counties in Michigan

Largest County
(by population)

Wayne County

2,061,162

614 sq mi.

Time Zone

Eastern Standard Time

Michigan Climate and Weather

Michigan has four distinct seasons with activities and attractions suited to each. Though it has heavy snowfall in places, the Great Lakes tend to moderate the temperatures of the surrounding land, cooling the summers and warming the winters. This results in a milder climate in portions of the basin compared to other locations of similar latitude. The lakes also act as a giant humidifier, increasing the moisture content of the air throughout the year. In the winter, this moisture condenses as snow when it reaches the land, creating heavy snowfall in some areas, known as "snow belts" on the downwind shores of the lakes. The shores of Lake Superior are prone to this "lake effect" snow and have recorded up to 350 inches of snow in a single year. During the winter, the temperature of the lakes continues to drop. Ice frequently covers Lake Erie but seldom fully covers the other lakes. The lake breezes also make the shore areas (along Lake Michigan, in particular) several degrees cooler in summer. In most years, winter-sports enthusiasts will find plenty of snow in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula from mid November through March.

Accumulations of 120-170 in/305-432 cm are common. Temperatures usually drop below 0 F/-18 C once or twice each winter, but the average January temperature ranges 6 to 32 F/-15 to 0 C. In spring, expect temperatures from the mid 30s to the mid 60s F/2-17 C. Summer offers temperatures on the average 47-83 F/8-27 C. Humidity is occasionally uncomfortable, but the moderate temperatures usually keep things from getting too extreme. Mid September to late October offers temperatures running 41-62 F/5-16 C.

Highest Temperature

112 degrees
July 13, 1936 - Mio

Lowest Temperature

-51 degrees
February 4, 1934 - Vanderbilt

Avg Temp: High - Low

83.1 degrees

14.0 degrees

Michigan Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation

900

Highest Point

Mt. Arvon

1,979

Lowest Point

Lake Erie

572

Michigan Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center

Total Area

96,716.11

11th

Land Area¹

56,803.82

Water Area²

39,912.28

41.26%

Forested Land Area³

53.2%

Dimensions
(Length - Width)

490 miles

240 miles

Source: (U.S. Census, April 1, 2000)
1. Dry land and land temporarily or partially covered by water, such as marshland, swamps, etc.; streams and canals under one-eighth statute mile wide; and lakes, reservoirs, and ponds under 40 acres.
2. Permanent inland water surface, such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds having an area of 40 acres or more; streams, sloughs, estuaries, and canals one-eighth statute mile or more in width; deeply indented embayments and sounds, and other coastal waters behind or sheltered by headlands or islands separated by less than 1 nautical mile of water, and islands under 40 acres in area. Excludes areas of oceans, bays, sounds, etc. lying within U.S. jurisdiction but not defined as inland water.
3. 1997

Almanac Provided by SHG Resources