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Wisconsin Almanac: State Facts and Figures
Browse the state's symbols; state animal, state bird, state flower, state flag, state fossil, state insect, state motto, state seal, state tree, color, dance, fish, mammal, music, nut, reptile seal, and miscellaneous designations, emblems, and mascot of each state with pictures. Find origin of the state name. View the state almanacs, state timelines and peruse state facts and stats such as the capitol, location, and date admitted to the union.
Wisconsin Almanac
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| Official Name |
Wisconsin |
| Capital |
Madison |
| Nick Name |
Badger State |
| Motto |
Forward |
| Location & Region |
43.04405 N, 089.40954 W |
Midwest |
| Constitution Ratified |
1848 |
| Statehood |
May 29, 1848 |
30th state |
| Population |
5,363,675 |
|
18th |
Largest City
(by population) |
Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton |
| Bordering States |
Illinois - Iowa - Michigan - Minnesota |
| Number of Counties |
72 Counties in Wisconsin |
Largest County
(by population) |
Milwaukee County |
940,164 |
242 sq mi. |
| Time Zone |
Central Standard Time |
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Wisconsin Climate and Weather |
| The Wisconsin climate is typically continental with some modification by Lakes Michigan and Superior. The cold, snowy winters favor a variety of winter sports, and the warm summers appeal to thousands of vacationers each year. About two-thirds of the annual precipitation falls during the growing season (freeze-free period). It is normally adequate for vegetation, although drought is occasionally reported. The climate is most favorable for dairy farming; the primary crops are corn, small grains, hay, and vegetables. The rapid succession of storms moving from west to east and southwest to northeast account for the stimulating climate.
The average annual temperature varies from 39 F in the north to about 50 F in the south. The highest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was 114 F at Wisconsin Dells on July 13, 1936, and the lowest temperature on record was minus 55 F, reported from Couderay on both February 2 and February 4, 1996.
During more than one-half of the winters, temperatures fall to minus 40 F or lower, and almost every winter temperatures of minus 30 or colder are reported from northern stations. Summer temperatures above 90 average 2 to 4 days in northern counties and about 14 days in southern districts. During marked cool outbreaks in summer months, the central lowlands occasionally report freezing temperatures.
The long-term mean annual precipitation ranges from 30 to 34 inches over most of the Western Uplands and Northern Highlands, then diminishes to about 28 inches along most of the Wisconsin Central Plain and Lake Superior Coastal area. The higher average annual precipitation coincides generally with the highest elevations, particularly the windward slopes of the Western Uplands and Northern Highlands. Thunderstorms average about 30 per year in northern Wisconsin to about 40 per year in southern counties, and occur mostly in the summer. Occasional hail, wind, and lightning damage are also reported. |
| Highest Temperature |
114 degrees
July 13, 1936 - Wisconsin Dells |
| Lowest Temperature |
-54 degrees
January 24, 1922 - Danbury |
| Avg Temp: High - Low |
82.8 degrees |
5.4 degrees |
| Low Average Temp |
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Wisconsin Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet) |
| Mean Elevation |
1,050 |
| Highest Point |
Timms Hill |
1,951 |
| Lowest Point |
Lake Michigan |
579 |
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Wisconsin Land Area1 (Square Miles) |
| Geographic Center |
9 miles SE of Marshfield |
| Total Area |
65,497.82 |
23rd |
| Land Area1 |
54,310.10 |
83.00% |
| Water Area2 |
11,187.72 |
17.00% |
| Forested Land Area3 |
45.9% |
Dimensions
(Length - Width) |
310 miles |
260 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 |
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Provided by SHG Resources |
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