Palo is a town in Michigan. Open left menu michigan. Geography and natural resources

The past, present and future of America are intricately intertwined in Michigan. Futuristic skyscrapers of the Detroit Renaissance Center, robotic and computerized car factories and their cars sparkling with chrome and varnish, rushing along highways, and at the same time wild spaces, serene water surface, golden dunes and pine-covered desert hills.

The state's topography was formed during the Ice Age. Masses of ice smoothed out irregularities along their path and filled in depressions. The highest point on the state map (see page 3 of the cover) is Mount Arvon, 604 m. The ridges of rolling hills in the north gradually thin out and turn into a wooded plateau in the south. But water is a must in every Michigan landscape. This state accounts for 20% of US fresh water reserves. Michigan is washed by four of the five Great Lakes, and there are another 11 thousand lakes and hundreds of rivers on its territory with a total length of about 58 thousand km. Given that the surface of inland waters makes up less than 2.8% of the land area (4075 sq. km and 147511 sq. km, respectively), we should not forget that the state’s borders “grab” a considerable portion of the waters of the Great Lakes - Superior, Michigan, Huron and Eri. In terms of the total length of the coastline (about 5 thousand km), the state ranks first in the United States.

The Straits of Mackinac between Lakes Huron and Michigan divides the state into two unequal peninsular parts - the Lower Peninsula, which resembles a mitten on a map, and the rugged appendix of the Upper Peninsula, which stretches from west to east. Construction completed in 1957 suspension bridge across the strait. Having facilitated communication between the northern and southern parts of Michigan, the bridge seemed to emphasize their dissimilarity, manifested in size (the Lower Peninsula is 2.5 times larger than the Upper Peninsula), and in the climate, and in the landscape, and in the economic and demographic structure.

Climate Upper Peninsula more severe average monthly temperature fluctuates here between -17 °C in January and + 17°C in July. For the Detroit area in the Lower Peninsula, the corresponding temperatures are -4 ° C and + 22 ° C, and in the southwest of the state the climate is even milder due to the prevailing wind direction and the beneficial effects of the Great Lakes.

Despite predatory logging in the second half of the last century, a significant part of the state is covered with now protected deciduous and coniferous forests. The southern part of the Lower Peninsula is characterized by hardwood trees - elm, oak, maple, and hazel. Further north, blue pine, birch, and aspen are more common. Hundreds of species of flowering plants delight the eye from early spring to late autumn. In berry areas, blueberries, blueberries, blackberries, wild grapes and gooseberries are abundant. The rivers and lakes are home to trout, pike, smelt, catfish, and perch; in the forests - deer, bears, wolves, coyotes and many varieties of fur-bearing animals, the mere listing of which brings to mind expensive fur coats and coats - beavers, muskrats, minks, otters, martens, raccoons, opossums, etc. The unofficial name of Michigan is - "The Wolverine State" is a tribute to its forest fauna. Migratory bird migration routes pass through Michigan, but all year round wild ducks and geese, partridges, and American woodcock live here. And Michiganders chose the unassuming bird as the state symbol. robin.

The exceptional beauty of the lake region and the ample opportunities provided here for fishermen, hunters, sports and outdoor recreation enthusiasts attract millions of tourists to Michigan. The state government spends $23 million a year (1985) on maintaining recreational areas. But these costs are returned a hundredfold from the funds left by tourists ($7.1 billion in 1984). To protect recreational areas from the encroachments of industrial capital, one national park(Mount Royal), four forested areas and two long stretches of Great Lakes coastline (Painted Cliffs and Sleeping Bear Dunes), in addition, 78 parks and recreational areas are protected by the state government. One of the attractions of this kind is Mackinac Island at the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula, where the pristine nature is not desecrated by the intrusion of the car, and horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are available to vacationers.

The Michigan Department of Conservation does a lot of work coordinating the efforts of recreational services and the scientific research of biologists. Thanks to the efforts of the department, the issue of reproduction of the deer herd is being resolved, given that up to 400 thousand deer hunters come to Michigan every season. Of course, all this activity is not always effective when the efforts of environmental authorities collide with business interests. Cases involving the pollution of rivers and lakes with toxic runoff, destruction of banks, etc. are a common occurrence for Michigan courts. The mass poisoning of state residents with the toxic drug PBB, distributed with animal feed in Western and Western Europe, became notorious. central regions Michigan. According to the American Medical Association, 97% of the state's population became victims of poisoning, which causes liver disease and weakening of the body's resistance, to one degree or another.

The first Europeans to penetrate Michigan from the north at the beginning of the 17th century were French missionaries and explorers. Their temporary settlements have been known since 1641, but it was not until 1668 that the Jesuit priest Jacques Marquette founded the first permanent settlement of Sault Ste. Marie. When settling in new lands, the colonialists did not rely on the power of God's word and built fortified forts. The first outpost at the mouth of the river. Saint Joseph was founded in 1679, and in 1701 Antoine Cadillac and a detachment of soldiers began building Fort Pontchartrain, which was to ensure the monopoly of the French crown on the North American fur trade. On the site of the fort, a city quickly grew, now known worldwide under its new name - Detroit.

Throughout the 18th century. Michigan was at the center of the armed struggle between England and France for the possession of North America, which was determined not only by the natural resources of the region, but also by its strategic position, opening the way to the northwest through the Straits of Mackinac. By 1763, having driven out French troops and Indian tribes, the British took possession of the territory of Michigan. According to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which approved the end of the War of Independence, this territory ceded to the United States, although Forts Detroit and Mackinac were held by the British until 1796. The Americans were in no hurry to develop the region, the only wealth of which was furs. Sparse settlements huddled close to the borders. Surveyors sent by the Washington administration reported that Michigin was a large swamp with rare patches of cultivable land. The resistance of Indian tribes also did not contribute to the settlement of the region.

The 30s of the last century marked the beginning of the active development of Michigan's natural resources. At first, forests became the object of extensive exploitation. The fertile lands of the Lower Peninsula, freed up after clearing, contributed to the development of agriculture. The discovery of copper and then iron ore deposits in the western Upper Peninsula in the 1940s further intensified the industrial boom and led to a rapid influx of population. In 20 years - from 1850 to 1870 - the state's population tripled, and over the next 20 years it increased by almost 1 million more people. Along with settlers from the New England states, Canadians, Swedes, Norwegians, Finns and Italians poured into Michigan. According to the minimum population established by law, Michigan already at the beginning of the 19th century. could have applied for statehood, but a territorial dispute with neighboring Ohio delayed the resolution of this issue; only in January 1837 Michigan was admitted to the union, becoming the 26th state of the United States. Since 1847, its capital has been Lansing,

Until the end of the 19th century. Michigan was a major supplier of iron and copper ore. To transport it to the industrial East, a shipping canal was built within two years, connecting Lake Superior with a system of locks to the other Great Lakes. Completed in 1855, the canal is actively used to the present day, passing more cargo in eight months of navigation than passes through Panama Canal in a year.

The young American bourgeoisie, without regard to the future, was in a hurry to convert what seemed inexhaustible into banknotes. Natural resources. The devastating activities of the “timber barons” were complemented by large forest fires in 1871 and 1891. To this day, abandoned sawmills are typical of the Michigan landscape - evidence of past violence against the state's forest wealth.

By the end of the 19th century. Michigan's economy is making a noticeable turn from the extraction of raw materials to their processing, from agriculture to industry; The urban population is growing. While in 1850 city dwellers made up only 7.3% of the state's population, by 1900 39.3% lived in cities. But even more dramatic changes were to come, the foundations of which were being laid in two Michigan cities. In 1898, the first self-propelled gasoline-powered carriages were independently created in the mechanical workshops of Ransom Olds in Lansing and Henry Ford in Detroit. "Jolly Oldsmobiles" were the first to make their way to the buyer, and by 1900 Olds managed to sell 1,400 cars. Ford was delayed in entering the market, spending time organizing production and developing an affordable car model. But by the mid-20s, Ford factories were producing about 2 million Model T cars annually. The automobile boom swept America. New companies sprang up like mushrooms, but many of them quickly disappeared, unable to withstand the competition.

The monopolization of the automobile industry gave rise to such auto giants as General Motors, which in 1908-1918. absorbed the Buick, Oldsmobile, Oakland, Cadillac and Chevrolet companies. Another automaker, Chrysler, emerged in 1925 on the bones of the Maxwell and Dodge Brothers corporations.

The booming production at first caused a new influx of labor from the southern states, as well as immigrants from Eastern Europe. The rapid growth of the industrial proletariat was accompanied by the rise of the labor movement.

In the second half of the 1930s, the strike struggle of automakers for the right to join trade unions, which the monopolies had denied them, reached unprecedented proportions. Tens of thousands of General Motors workers, followed by workers at the Chrysler and Ford plants, held long sit-ins, stopped assembly lines, and occupied factory buildings in clashes with strikebreakers and police. The United Automobile Workers Trade Union, which led the strike struggle, is now one of the largest American trade unions (more than 1 million members). Through the proven methods of strikes during the revision of collective agreements, the union manages to keep the wages of auto workers at a level higher than the average wages of other industrial workers. In terms of average income, Michigan is one of the prosperous states. But the components of these statistics should be taken into account. In 1982, there were 7,300 millionaires in the state, whose wealth was estimated at $17,222 million. At the same time, according to the 1980 census, 946 thousand people (10.4% of the population) and 198 thousand families (8. 2%) lived below the official poverty line.

Until recently, Michigan had a relatively high level of education. According to the 1980 Census, 30% of Michiganders age 25 and older had one to three years of college under their belts. There are 52 daily and 15 Sunday newspapers published in Michigan.

Michigan owes its educational successes to progressive tendencies dating back to the first state constitution, which contained a provision on the need to encourage schools and educational institutions. Michigan was the first American state to establish a school aid fund and the first to introduce free secondary education. In 1984, there were 3,804 public schools in the state, including 2,742 with a duration of up to eight years, while secondary education takes 12 years in the United States. As of 1983, the state operated 44 universities, 12 of which had the right to award doctoral degrees. The latter include the three largest universities, which account for a third of all state students - the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Wayne State University in Detroit and Michigan State University in East Lansing. The latter, with its experimental farm and laboratories, is specialized mainly in agricultural sciences. The playful nickname “cow university” cannot refute the fact that this university is one of the leading universities in the country in training highly qualified specialists in agricultural production.

Most other universities are two- and three-year colleges focused on training mid-level specialists for the state and its economic regions. The emphasis on training for the region is typical of both state-controlled universities and private institutions maintained by corporations. Among the private universities founded by automakers, we can mention the Detroit Institute of Technology, the Detroit Institute of Law, the General Motor Institute in Flint, the Chrysler Institute of Engineering (Highland Park) and the Institute of Technology. Lawrence (Southfield).

With varying degrees of legitimacy, the word “Detroit” is synonymous with Michigan. “When Detroit gets its feet wet, the whole country sneezes,” Michiganders like to say, referring to the interdependence of Michigan and the rest of the states, which arose, in particular, in connection with the penetration of the automobile into American life. But it would be more correct to turn this saying around. Detroit, which focuses on the production of durable goods, “sneezes” at the first signs of a disruption in the country’s economic health and is acutely aware of the decline in the purchasing power of the population during periods of economic downturns and the fear of consumers to buy goods on credit. This was true during the years of the “Great Depression,” which hit Michigan harder than other states, and this was true during subsequent economic downturns. The generational change in weapon systems after World War II deprived the auto industry of lucrative military orders. Detroit was severely hit by the energy crisis of the 70s and rising oil prices. Foreign (primarily Japanese) companies, which responded more quickly to changes in consumer demand, became strong competitors of American automakers in the domestic market. One of the auto giants, the Chrysler Corporation, found itself on the verge of collapse, which in 1979 owed banks more than $2 billion and avoided bankruptcy only thanks to the help of the federal government.

The reduction in production and robotization of work processes led to massive layoffs from Michigan auto plants, which immediately affected the demographic situation. If during the first half of the 20th century. Michigan's population growth amounted to 4 million people, 55% of which were due to migration from other states, then in 1956-1962. the number of people leaving the state exceeded the number of people entering by 322 thousand. Michigan's population growth slowed down and then reversed in the 1970s and 1980s. From a peak of 9,266,000 in 1978, the state's population declined in 1980 to 9,210,000 and in 1985 to 9,088,000. The demographic forecast for 2000 calls for only a modest increase to 9,208,000.

Three-quarters of the population is concentrated in ten urban areas in the southern Lower Peninsula. There are three main industrial zones: Detroit; Grand Rapids Muskegon and Battle Creek - Kalamazoo.

The core of Detroit's economic zone is an urbanized area that includes the counties of Wayne (which includes Detroit itself), Oakland and Macumbe, but in fact it is closely associated with the industrial cities of the eastern half of the Lower Peninsula, closely associated with the automobile capital, clustered on the “thumb” of the cartographic “mitten”. The industrial profile of this zone is determined by the automotive industry. In and around Detroit are the headquarters of the Big Three automobile monopolies, which produce 95% of all American cars - General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler. On the outskirts of Detroit lies Ford's oldest factory complex, the Rouge, which employs 27 thousand people. To a certain extent, this is a plant-museum, a plant-reserve, in which the entire technological cycle of car production is presented - from steel smelting to the assembly of finished products on a conveyor belt. Even coal and iron ore are brought here by barge from company-owned mines. This working monument to the old industrial organization is one of a kind. Other car factories, including Ford's, have long moved to specialization and cooperation. Ready-to-assemble components and assemblies arrive on the conveyor belt from specialized factories of their own company and related companies.

In many cities of the economic zone there are foundries, forges, springs, stamping, paint and varnish and other factories of the Big Three and other companies working for the automotive industry. Thus, the giant plant of the diversified oil corporation Tenneco in Detroit produces shock absorbers and springs for all brands of cars, placing Michigan among the first places in this type of product. Flint became the second “automotive” city in Michigan with General Motors factories, which employ 51 thousand people. The cities of Bay City, Saginaw, Pontiac, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Monroe each have several automobile plants.

The industrial significance of the zone is not determined solely by the automotive industry and related industries. In the urbanized area of ​​Detroit there are large enterprises in the chemical, food, brewing, clothing, knitting, printing, communications and building materials industries. In Detroit there are laboratories and production buildings of the large pharmaceutical company Park Davis, in Troy there is a plant complex of the Dayco Corporation, specializing in the production of drive belts, in Midland and Hemlock there are laboratories and factories of Dow Corning, producing ultra-pure silicone. Refineries operate in Alma, Bay City and the Detroit area.

The Detroit industrial zone also includes the state capital of Lansing. This is not only an administrative, but also an important industrial center, which houses the boards and large automobile plants of the subsidiaries of General Motors - Oldsmobile and Fisher Body (bodywork), as well as enterprises in the rubber, food industries, wholesale trade of agricultural products, etc. The suburbs of Lansing are home to academic and residential buildings, laboratories and experimental fields of the state's largest university, with more than 40 thousand students.

Another university city, Ann Arbor, has attracted a number of small research and consulting firms, organizations involved in the collection, processing and sale of information. One of them, the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research, has an automated data bank, in which 290 organizations participate. . A widely known subsidiary of the Xerox Corporation, University Microfilms, maintains bibliographic records and annotations of all dissertations defended in the USA. This information is disseminated through printed bulletins and computer networks, and copies of dissertations are sold in original or micro-media format.

The Grand Rapids-Muskegon economic zone is less affected by the auto industry, although there are many enterprises related to this industry within its borders. Household and office furniture, air conditioners, kitchen machines, and compressors for refrigerators are produced here. The food industry is developed, in particular the canning of fruits and vegetables, and the pulp and paper industry. Muskegon is home to one of the largest Scottpaper plants in the United States for the production of napkins and toilet paper. Ohio Oil refineries are located in the Muskegon area.

In the city of Grand Rapids and the neighboring counties of Ottawa and Allegan, overlooking the coast of the lake. Michigan, many immigrants from Holland have settled since the middle of the last century. Despite gradual assimilation, this ethnic group carefully maintains national traditions, customs and crafts. It is to her that Grand Rapids owes its reputation as the furniture capital of the United States, although with the departure of the old masters, furniture production is increasingly moving to the assembly line, and valuable types of wood are being replaced by metal and plastic. The traditions of the Michigan Dutch are expressed not only in the annual tulip festivals and costume dances in locally made wooden clogs, but also in conservative beliefs.

The Battle Creek-Kalamazoo Industrial Area largely follows the economic profile of its northern neighbor. Cardboard containers, heating systems, refrigerators and air conditioners are produced here, and the food industry is developed. But this zone is distinguished by two giant enterprises, the products of which reach almost every American. 21 thousand workers at the Kellogg Corporation plants in Battle Creek are busy producing corn flakes and other ready-to-eat fortified cereal products for America's morning table. Another large employer is located in Kalamazoo, providing wages to 22 thousand people. Here, on an area of ​​125 hectares, there are laboratories and factories of the Upjohn pharmaceutical corporation, which produces antibiotics and drugs.

The Upper Peninsula is the land of the legendary Hiawatha, sung by Longfellow. In most of the territory, nature has been preserved in its pristine state. The 20th century asserted itself with excellent highways crossing the peninsula.

The Upper Peninsula's industrial importance is driven by its extractive industries. The development of the iron mines of the Marquette and Menominee ranges continues. Since, after almost 100 years of exploitation, iron-rich rocks are practically exhausted, the industry is reoriented to the extraction and beneficiation of lower quality ore. Copper deposits have also been depleted south coast Lake Superior. The mines are used as reserve mines, and the area's share of total copper production in the United States does not exceed 2%.

Non-metallic minerals of industrial importance in Michigan are mined gypsum, peat, iodine, bromine, table salt, limestone, gravel and cement. There is limited oil and natural gas production in the Saginaw Bay area.

Climatic conditions - sufficient precipitation and a relatively long growth period (180 days in the south of the forest) - are favorable for the development of agriculture. Michigan is included in the "milk" and "hay belt" and is touched by the "corn belt" passing through its southern counties.

Due to the mechanization of agricultural work, the number of farmers is decreasing and, according to the 1980 census, amounted to 1.9% of the total number of Michiganders. For comparison; the state's farming population in 1960 was 486 thousand, in 1970 - 305 thousand people, while the number of farms and their total area almost unchanged. The development of dairy farming is facilitated by good grazing conditions, an abundance of feed and an extensive market within the state (southern industrial cities), consuming up to 83% of the products produced. Michigan's dairy herd totaled 390 thousand head in 1985 (sixth largest in the United States), and milk yield was 2525.6 million kg. Forage grasses, which form the basis of dairy farming, occupy up to 30% of cultivated areas. They are followed by the size of the crop area: corn - 1092 thousand hectares; soybeans - 432 thousand hectares and winter wheat - 300 thousand hectares.

Beef cattle and poultry farming gravitate toward the “corn belt.” In 1985, Michigan farmers sold 3.9 million kg of lamb and 175 million kg of pork. There were 4.8 million chickens, 1.3 million broilers and 2.3 million turkeys on poultry farms in the same year.

In the gardens on the shore of the lake. Rich fruit harvests ripen in Michigan - apples, cherries, cherries, plums, grapes. Michigan is second only to New York and Washington in apple harvesting. It is no coincidence that the official flower of Michigan is the apple blossom.

The political sympathies of Michiganders in the two-party system were determined both by objective circumstances and by the subjective traits of individual figures who found themselves at the helm of power. The New England Yankees, who formed the main core of the first settlers to Michigan, introduced the spirit of liberalism into public life. The abolition movement gained many supporters here, and Michigan became an important site on the freedom road for fugitive slaves from the southern states. For the first 20 years, political power in the state belonged to the Democrats. The abolitionist platform of the Republican Party, created in 1854, found a sympathetic response in liberal circles in Michigan, and the Republicans settled in state government for a long time.

Confidence in the Republican Party was undermined by the economic crisis of the late 20s and early 30s, which dealt a significant blow to the automobile state. Michiganders supported F. Roosevelt’s “New Deal,” which promised a way out of economic impasses, but only after Roosevelt’s death did the Democrats manage to finally overcome the inertia of the political mechanism and gain administrative power in the state. In 1948, a coalition of liberal intellectuals and trade union leaders nominated Democrat M. Williams for the post of governor. The limited social reforms that the new governor tried to carry out encountered resistance from the legislature, where representatives of big business were entrenched, who were in no hurry to part with profits for the sake of social needs.

In April 1957, General Motors President H. Curtis, supported by other leaders of monopoly capital, opposed Williams's attempt to raise corporate taxes, threatening to move some of its production capacity out of state. Michigan's budget was bursting at the seams, and in 1959 a crisis arose: state officials were twice left without salaries. This predetermined the outcome of the 1960 elections, and although a Democrat, J. Williams, was again elected governor, he was unable to make ends meet, and two years later the Michigan administration was headed by J. Romney, a Republican and former president of the American Motors Corporation. During his six years in office, which coincided with a period of economic recovery, the new governor managed to streamline the budget, pass a new state constitution, and strengthen the position of the Republican Party. The positions of Rom-Ford himself and the Governor of New York T. Duon also strengthened; in the field of literature - Zero de Kreijf, author of Microbe Hunters; from the world of arts - singer Diana Ross.

W. Milliken, who replaced Romney as governor, also a Republican, showed himself to be a skillful politician, holding this post for 14 years. By promoting programs that enjoy public support (environmental protection, financial assistance to schools, development public transport etc.), Milliken, if necessary, entered into a coalition with the Democrats, securing votes for himself regardless of the degree of implementation of these programs. The most pressing social problem during Millikan's reign was the crisis of cities, especially the main industrial center of Michigan, Detroit.

Urban residents by this time made up more than 70% of the state's population. Caused by the economic situation of the late 50s - early 60s, the outflow of population affected mainly the most qualified personnel counting on Better conditions in the "high technology" states. On the contrary, the shallow influx of migrants seeking their fortune in Michigan included, as a rule, blacks from southern states with extremely low levels of general and professional training. In the Detroit metropolitan area, blacks make up more than 63% of the population. The wealthier ones are moving after the whites to the suburbs, dooming Detroit to become a giant ghetto with rare islands of “prosperous” areas. The gap between whites and blacks in socioeconomic well-being is striking. Black unemployment is twice that of whites; three times as many blacks are among those living below the official poverty level. Despair and hopelessness caused black protests in the Detroit area in the summer of 1967, which were brutally suppressed by the police.

Milliken knew that solving, or at least mitigating, the problems of visible Detroit would help him make political capital. The governor's ally in this enterprise was the first black mayor of Detroit, C. Young, a Democrat and one of the organizers of the automakers union, who was elected in 1973. Unable to untie the knots of serious socio-economic problems, Milliken and Young had particular hopes for the reconstruction of the façade, the renewal of the city center. The symbol of the city's revival was to be the gigantic Renaissance Center, a five-tower complex on the banks of the river. Detroit, consisting of a 73-story hotel with 1,400 rooms, surrounded by four more high-rise cylinders containing office space. A five-story atrium connecting the complex at its base provides space for 105 shops and restaurants. The estimated cost of the complex was $350 million. Construction financing was undertaken by a group of big business corporations with the coordinating role of H. Ford II. During the construction of the complex, unforeseen costs emerged, and in 1975 Ford was forced to allocate an additional $100 million so that work could continue. The official opening of the Renaissance Center took place in 1977, but it was not destined not only to save Detroit, but also to reimburse the costs of the corporations that financed its construction. In the five years following its commissioning, the center lost $140 million, and in 1982 Ford sold the complex to a group of private investors.

Young's desperate attempts to reduce the city budget deficit by raising income taxes and firing 4 thousand city employees (including 1 thousand police officers, which did not help eradicate crime) yielded results. The ongoing shutdown of the auto industry and massive layoffs among automakers have further exacerbated Detroit's problems and increased population outmigration from the city. In 1970-1980 Detroit lost a fifth of its residents. In 1982, Milliken resigns and takes a lucrative seat on the board of directors of the Chrysler Corporation. Democrat J. Blanchard was elected governor of the state, and in 1986 he again won the election to this post.

In 1982, the Democratic Party not only regained the governorship, but also secured a majority in both houses of the state Congress. Since the 1986 elections, Democrats have held both of Michigan's U.S. Senate seats and 11 of 18 seats in the House of Representatives. One of the senators from the state of Michigan, D. Reagle, began his political career in 1967, when he was elected to the House of Representatives from the Republican Party, but in 1973 he broke with the Republicans and was subsequently elected as a Democrat, since 1976 - senator . He is a vocal critic of the Reagan administration's social and economic policies. The second, K. Levin, is one of the most liberal senators and also an active critic of President Reagan's domestic and foreign policy, especially the arms buildup.

State representation in the US Congress is generally characterized by a liberal position on most issues, which, in particular, is explained by the tactics of the Michigan Republican organization. In conditions when the division between industrial Detroit and the conservative province, between wealthy suburbs and urban ghettos, between black and white populations roughly balanced the electoral chances of both bourgeois parties, Republicans over the past two decades have taken a flexible position, nominating more moderate candidates for elected office fight for the votes of independent voters.

This does not mean that all Republican congressmen from Michigan are moderate. House veteran W. Broomfield, for example, who has a wealthy electorate of the respectable suburbs of Detroit behind him, takes very conservative positions on issues of domestic and foreign policy. Another characteristic of Michigan's congressional delegation is its ability to iron out partisan differences in the name of protecting auto industry interests. Thus, liberals, usually opposed to environmental pollution, voted against the “Clean Air Act”, which established stricter standards for carbon monoxide content in car exhaust.

American economists are looking for an explanation for the crisis in the Michigan economy over the past 20-25 years. Among the reasons cited is the inability of automobile monopolies to rebuild production and update fixed assets in a timely manner. Optimists see implementation as a solution latest technology into the powerful industrial potential accumulated in the state.

Michigan is a state located in the Midwestern United States. The capital is Lansing. Major cities: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, Warren, Sterling Heights, Wayne. The population is 9,876,187 people (2011). Area 250,493 km². In the east and north Michigan has common border with the Canadian province of Ontario, lakes Huron and Superior, southern border with Indiana and Ohio. In 1837 it became the 26th US state.

State attractions

Every year a grandiose auto show is held in Michigan, in which about 40 thousand unusual and rare cars participate. You can visit the ancient village of Greenfield Village with its historical buildings: Thomas Edison's laboratory and the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln worked. Holland hosts a tulip festival, and Traverse City hosts a cherry festival. On the banks of the Detroit River there are 7 huge glass round towers. You can also visit the world's largest cultural historical museum of African culture named after Wright, the Center Museum, and the interesting building Commerica Tower. There are many resorts here, equipped with all conditions for swimming, fishing, activities water sports. You can visit resort island Mackinac with his huge bridge and fort or take a trip to an extraordinary beautiful island Royal.

Geography and climate

About 41.3% of the state's area is water. There are about 11 thousand lakes in Michigan. The territory is divided into two peninsulas - Lower and Upper, connected by the Mackinac Bridge, as well as many islands. The Lower Peninsula shares its western border with Illinois and Wisconsin by the waters of Lake Michigan. The Upper Peninsula is bordered to the west by Wisconsin and the waters of Lake Superior to Minnesota. More than 75% of the Upper Peninsula is forested. The lower peninsula has a characteristic shape, similar to a mitten. The terrain is flat with low hills. The climate is humid continental. In the south of the state, the average temperature in January is from -8°C to -1°C, in July from 18°C ​​to 28°C. In the north of the state the climate is more severe. Summers here are warm, but shorter, winters are long and cold. average temperature in January from -16°C to -7°C, and in July from 12°C to 24°C. In Michigan, there are quite often blizzards and snowfalls, thunderstorms, and tornadoes.

Economy

In 2003, the state's GDP was $365 billion. Minerals produced here include oil, natural gas and iron ore. Michigan is a leader in peat production. The city of Detroit is the main center of the US automotive industry. There are about 4,000 automotive-related enterprises operating in the state. The food industry is developed, large factories operate, including the largest manufacturer of breakfast cereals (Kellogg). Since the state is surrounded by the Great Lakes, water transportation plays a large role. Michigan has 38 ports that provide navigation on lakes and rivers, as well as access to the Atlantic Ocean. In the field of agriculture (2nd place) they are engaged in the cultivation of corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar beets, and potatoes. The state occupies a leading position in the production of apples, cherries, blueberries, and peaches. Here they raise cattle, pigs and poultry. Much attention is paid to the development of tourism.

Population and religion

The population density is 39.43 people per km². The state's racial makeup is 78.9% White, 14.2% African American, 2.4% Asian, 0.6% Native American, 1.5% Other Races, 2.3% Mixed Race. About 22.3% of the population are of German descent, 11.9% Irish, 10.1% English, 9% Polish, 6.7% French and French Canadian, 5.1% Dutch, 4.7% Italian. By religious affiliation: Catholics - 2 million, Lutherans - 250 thousand, Methodists - 225 thousand, Evangelical Lutherans - 160 thousand people. In addition, the state is home to about 110 thousand Jews and 100 thousand Muslims.

Michigan State

The state of Michigan is located in the Midwestern United States of America. The state is part of the Northeast Central group of states.

It is considered the 26th state to join the United States.

The official capital of Michigan is located in Lansing.

The largest city in the state is Detroit. Among the others major cities Grand Rapids, Warren, Flint, Sterling Heights, and Ann Arbor can be distinguished.

Michigan has a population of over 10 million people.

Geography

The state of Michigan has an area of ​​more than 250.7 thousand square kilometers, according to this indicator it ranks 11th in the country.

More than 40 percent of this area is water.

The state's territory is conventionally divided into two peninsulas - Lower and Upper, connected by the Mackinac Bridge.

In the east, Michigan borders the Canadian province of Ontario and is washed by the waters of lakes Huron and Erie, in the south it borders with the states of Ohio and Indiana, in the west it borders with Wisconsin and is washed by Lake Michigan, in the north it is washed by Lake Superior and has a water border with the states of Illinois and Minnesota.

General coastline The state has a length of 5.2 thousand kilometers (the largest among continental states). There are more than 11 thousand inland lakes in Michigan, which significantly influences the state's climate.

Story

For several thousand years, Indian tribes lived in Michigan. By the time Europeans arrived, the area was inhabited by the Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi and Wyandot Indian tribes. The first European to visit the Upper Peninsula was Etienne Brulé (1622). In 1668, Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette founded the first settlement here in Sault Ste. Marie. In 1679, Robert da La Salle built the first European sailing ship on Lake Superior.

In 1701, French officer and explorer Antoine Cadillac founded the settlement of Detroit around Fort Pontchartrain (named after the then French prime minister, Louis Felipeau, Comte de Pontchartrain).

In the mid-18th century, the province passed from the French to the British as a result of the French and Indian War. After the American Revolutionary War, Michigan became part of the Northwest Territory. In 1794, American troops defeated the Indians at the Battle of Treetops and gained control of several forts under Jay's Treaty.

In 1805, the Michigan Territory was created. During the Anglo-American War of 1812-1814, it temporarily fell into the hands of the British. In the 1830s, a massive influx of settlers began here, associated with the creation of the Erie Canal, road infrastructure, as well as the development of agriculture and mining industries.

In 1835, the state constitution was signed, but due to a territorial dispute with Ohio, Michigan joined the union only on January 26, 1837. Stevens Mason became the first governor of the state in 1835.

In the Civil War, 23% of the male population of Michigan (more than 90 thousand people) participated on the side of the northerners, about 14 thousand of them died.

In 1903, conveyor production of automobiles was established at the Henry Ford plant. In 1926, General Motors set an industry record, bringing annual sales to $1 billion.

Economy

Michigan, and primarily Detroit, is considered the center of American automobile manufacturing. Tourism and hunting are also important sources of income. In addition, there are minerals - oil, iron ore, natural gas. The state ranks first in peat production.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Michigan's GDP was $365 billion in 2003.

The state of Michigan attracts everyone with its beautiful nature. And this may not be surprising, since this state is the owner of the territory where the Great Lakes are located today. In addition to them, the state can count more than twelve thousand different lakes and reservoirs. In addition, many cities are famous for their stunning natural parks, as well as the forests that surround these cities. But nature is far from the only plus that the Earth has gifted this state. Here you can also find a lot of interesting attractions that will appeal to tourists.

What to see in Michigan

New Jersey is an amazing state where in every city you can find a lot of interesting things that can be found in the United States of America. Go to the most Big city state - Detroit, and there you can visit one of the four large casinos in the city. Shopping is also very well developed here, so you can buy a lot of different amazing things here.

In Ann Arbor you can visit the famous University of Michigan. And here you can find amazing beautiful nature. After all, the city itself stands on the Huron River, which has been practically untouched by civilization and industry, which is widespread in Detroit. A beautiful river will allow tourists to feel at one with nature. Compare with the weather.

In addition to cities, you can go to the Great Lakes, which beckon with their grandeur a large number of tourists from all over the world. Here you can not only see beautiful nature and breathe amazingly clean air, but also practice sailing. And fishing lovers will be able to enjoy and relax while sitting in a boat and riding on the waves of the lake.

Young children will also be happy to know that the state has a large variety of entertainment centers, such as all kinds of zoos, amusement parks and aquariums.

Michigan State Capital Restaurants

In Detroit you can find a fairly large selection of different restaurants and cafes. Here you can find restaurants that prepare American cuisine, you can find establishments specializing in vegetarian cuisine and many, many others.

At Cafe Kade you can find delicious sandwiches, as well as various European dishes. The cost of lunch at this establishment will be about twenty-four dollars. The Green Dot Stables restaurant has also gained a good reputation among Detroit tourists. The restaurant serves unique American cuisine. Other dishes of European cuisine can also be offered here. The cost of dinner at such an establishment can reach twenty-three dollars.

Sora Jepenis Retron will appeal to those people who cannot live without sushi and any other Japanese food. However, prices here are quite high. For one lunch you will have to pay about forty-nine dollars. Delicious steaks can be enjoyed at the Michael Simons Rising restaurant for eighty dollars.

What hotels can you stay at?

In Michigan, as well as in other US states with a sufficient number of tourists, there cannot be a shortage of hotels and hotels. Here you can find hotels of various numbers of stars, and each tourist, depending on his wishes and requirements, will be able to find the hotel that suits his taste.

Many hotels in Detroit, even two-star hotels, will offer you free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and much more. Among these two-star hotels you can stay at the Detroit Regency Hotel.

Three-star hotels offer better and more comprehensive services when booking rooms. At the Inn on Ferry Street, in addition to the usual Wi-Fi Internet, you can use a comfortable bathroom, as well as a comfortable lounge for guests. It is also served here every morning Buffet for breakfast.

Among four-star hotels, you should choose The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport; in addition to all the above services, it also provides the opportunity to relax in a sauna or get a spa massage.

The state is quite large by the standards of the United States of America, but there are no five-star hotels here, and the four-star MGM Grand Detroit is the most expensive and big hotel State of New Jersey.

Michigan - Wolverine State, Great Lakes State

Michigan is a state located in the Midwestern United States, in the Great Lakes region. The name translated means “Big Water” or “ Big lake" Michigan is the ninth most populous state and the 11th largest state in the United States. The state capital is Lansing, and Big City— Detroit. A characteristic feature of the state is the longest coastal border with fresh water. Michigan is bordered by 4 of the 5 Great Lakes of the United States. In addition, there are almost 65 thousand inland lakes and ponds in the state. Thus, any resident of the state is no further than 10 km from a natural source of water.

Michigan has a water border with Ontario (Canada) in the north and east, and in the west through Lake Michigan it has a border with the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. On southern borders Michigan is home to Indiana (in the south-southwest) and Ohio (in the south-southeast).

The state of Michigan has a continental climate, although technically there are two climate regions of the state. The south and central part of the state tends to have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. In the North, the climate is more severe, summers are warm but short, and winters are long and cold. Some parts of the state experience below freezing levels from December through February and even into early March. The statewide average precipitation is 75-100 cm of precipitation annually, however some areas in the northern part of the state receive up to 400 cm of precipitation in the form of snow during the winter. The indicator itself high temperature The state temperature is 44°C and recorded in Mio in July 1936, and the lowest temperature is −46°C and recorded in Vanderbilt in February 1934.

The present-day areas of the state were originally settled by Native Americans, then by emigrants from France. Thus, this area in the 17th century became known as New France. After the American Revolutionary War, as well as the French and Indian War that preceded it, this territory was ceded to the Indians. In 1805, the territory of the modern state of Michigan was formed, which became part of the United States in January 1837, becoming the 26th state. Michigan soon became an important center of industry and trade in the Great Lakes region, as well as popular place destinations for migrants.

Although the economy in the state is quite well developed, Michigan is primarily associated with the center of the automobile industry, because it is home to 3 of the largest industrial companies in the country (their headquarters are located within the Detroit metropolitan area) - General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. If we conditionally divide the state into upper and lower regions, then the upper one is a place of arrival for tourists and the center of development of this industry, while the lower one is the center of the automobile industry and high technology.

At the turn of the 20th century, Michigan's economy underwent a transformation. Many people, including Ransom Olds, John and Horace Dodge, Henry Leland, David Dunbar Buick, Henry Joy, Charles King, and Henry Ford, decided to combine their engineering know-how with their technological enthusiasm to produce automobiles. The beginning of a new era in transportation was the opening of a production line by Ford in Highland Park. Like the steamship and locomotive in their time, this was a far-reaching development plan. The advent of cars had more of an impact on changing private life than public life. The first cars were very expensive, unreliable and rather controversial among the masses. Thus, Detroit became the center of development of the state of Michigan, changing the socio-economic life of the American and most of the inhabitants of countries around the world.

Michigan's second largest city, Grand Rapids, was also a manufacturing center. Since 1838, the city has been known for its furniture industry, where 5 of the world's leading furniture companies had offices.

In 1910, the first round of the US presidential election took place in Michigan. Due to the rapid growth of industry, it was important center a union of broad industry organizations, as well as a center for the development of the automobile industry.

In 1920, the first commercial radio station in the United States began broadcasting in Detroit. Over the next decade, the tallest skyscrapers in the country were built in Michigan, and specifically in Detroit. Most memorable are the buildings of the Fisher Industrial Company, the Chrysler Automobile Company, and the Guardian newspaper, each of which is currently listed as a National Historic Landmark.

During World War II, Michigan produced 10.9% of all military-industrial equipment, which was the second largest volume among the 48 states, after New York.

In the 1950s Detroit's expansion continued, causing the city's population to double within ten years. After the Second World War, the construction of houses began, the development of the infrastructure of the suburbs, roads and major highways of the country. This made it possible to increase the volume of industry, automation, and high technology. The suburb's population has grown since 1960.

The state's largest metropolitan areas are Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan. About 50% of the state's population lives in them. The Grand Rapids metropolitan area in West Michigan had a population of 1.3 million as of 2006. Every year, 15 million visitors come to Metro Detroit. Michigan is a popular destination for tourists, who annually bring in $17 billion to the state treasury and employ 193,000 people.

The state of Michigan has had 4 constitutions throughout its history. The first was ratified in October 1835. Then there were 2 more attempts to create a state law in 1850 and 1908, and finally the current constitution was adopted in 1963. The state of Michigan, like every state in the United States (except Louisiana), has a typical legislative system or “simple law system” (most of the laws and other regulations are developed directly by the judge, then many judges decide on the adoption of these laws during the hearing and discussion of the law in court).

In 1846, Michigan became the first US state, and the first English-speaking government in the world, to abolish the death penalty. Unlike the United States, in Canada, which was then under British influence, capital punishment was part of everyday practice.

The administrative divisions of the state of Michigan are as follows. Due to the decentralization of government, the state is divided into the state (as a whole), districts and townships. The county is administrative division state, and towns are the administrative divisions of the district. The government agency is localized everywhere and meets the specific needs of the jurisdiction in accordance with state law. There are 83 counties in the state of Michigan.

Cities, state universities and villages are vested with varying levels of authority. Home-governed cities can do anything that is not prohibited by law. All 15 state universities have a wide range of powers within the limits of their status, as long as they do not contradict the state constitution. Villages, on the other hand, have limited self-government and are not completely autonomous from the district and town in which they are located.

In the state of Michigan there are 2 types of townships: general (law) townships and charter townships. A charter township was created by the legislature in 1947 and provides additional powers and improved administration to provide greater protection from annexation by the city. As of April 2011, there were 127 charter townships in the state of Michigan. By general rule, charter townships have many of the same powers that a regular city has, but the level of obligation is lower. For example, a charter community may have its own fire department, water and sewer department, police department, etc., like a city, but the provision of these services is not required, unlike a city. Charter townships may choose to use the services of the county in which the township itself is located, such as calling a county sheriff's deputy upon request, rather than having a permanent paid official in the township.

The population of Michigan, as of July 2013, was 9.9 million people, which exceeded the 2010 figure by 0.1%. However, Michigan's population was nearly 10 million in April 2000, so there was a slight population decline between 2000 and 2010.

The center of Michigan's population is in Shiawasia county, which lies in the southeast corner of the charter township of Bennington, which in turn is located northwest of the village of Morris.

According to 2010 data, the population of foreigners born within the state is 6.0% (592 thousand people).

2010 data reports that Michigan's population by race is as follows:

- 78.9% are white Americans (of which 76.6% are non-Hispanic whites and 2.3% are Hispanic whites);

- 14.2% - black or African-American;

- 0.6% - Native Americans;

— 2.4% — Asian Americans;

— 0.1% — Oceania;

— 1.5% — other races;

— 2.3% — two or more races.

That same year, Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 4.4% of the state's population.

The most popular nations (by origin) in the state:

— 22.3% — Germans;

- 11.9% - Irish;

— 10.1% — British;

— 9.0% — Poles;

— 6.7% — French and French Canadians;

— 5.1% — Dutch;

- 4.7% - Italians;

- 4.6% - Americans;

- 2.4% - Scots;

- 1.7% are Swedes.

As of 2007, 300,000 residents of Northeast Michigan have roots in the Middle East. The city of Dearborn has a significant Arab community with big amount Assyrians (non-Arab representatives of the Mesopotamian territory) or Lebanese who emigrated to the country to find work in the automobile industry in the 1920s, along with large numbers of Yemenis and Iraqis.

Top 10 Michigan Languages:

— 91.11% (8.5 million people) — English;

— 2.93% — Spanish;

— 0.44% — German;

— 0.36% — Chinese (including Mandarin);

— 0.31% — French;

— 0.29% — Polish;

- 0.25% - a group of Syriac languages ​​(including modern Aramaic and northeastern Neo-Aramaic);

— 0.21% — Italian;

- 0.19% - Albanian;

0.16% - group of different languages ​​(Hindi, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean) - equal shares.

According to 2010 data, 91.11% of Michigan residents over the age of 5 use English as their primary language, while 2.93% (273 thousand people) speak Spanish, 1.04% (97 thousand people) speak Arabic, Then, with data of less than 0.5%, in descending order there are languages ​​such as German (0.44%), Chinese (0.36%), French (0.31%), Polish (0.29%), Syrian (0.25%). In total, 8.89% (830,281 people) of Michigan's population over the age of 5 do not speak English as their first language.

The religious component of the state, according to 2007 data, looks like this:

— 79% are Christians

of these, 23% are Catholics, 53% are Protestants, among Protestants - 19% are mainline, 26% are Evangelicals, 8% are Baptists;

5% - other religions (including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.);

— 17% — non-religious;

— 1% — found it difficult to answer.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates Michigan's GDP at $384.1 billion (2010). As of April 2013, the unemployment rate in the state is 8.4%.

Products and services include automobiles, food, information technology, aerospace, military equipment, furniture, and mining (copper and iron ore). Michigan is the 3rd leading producer of Christmas trees; In the state, the agricultural sector dedicated to spruce occupies an area of ​​245 square meters. km.

Since 2009, GM, Ford and Chrysler have been able to significantly reorganize their payout structure Money, as a result of spontaneous changes after the events of September 11 and the early 2000s. There is an increase in production in the period 2001-2006. by 6.6%. However, rising oil prices and the economic crisis of 2008 forced GM to seek help from the US and Canadian governments to restructure its financing. In 2009, GM placed shares on the market (IPO).

According to 2002 data, Michigan ranked 4th in the United States in the number of specialists employed in the field of high technology. Thus, the state employed 568,000 specialists, of which 70,000 were employed in the automotive industry. In general research and development, Michigan usually ranks 3rd or 4th in the States. Its research and development, which largely includes automobile manufacturing, accounts for the highest percentage of GDP than any other state.

Leading research institutions are the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University. State universities states annually attract more than $1.5 billion in research grants.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is one of the most recently expanded and modernized airports in the country, with 6 runways, as well as large service facilities. aircraft, in particular the Boeing 747, as the main transport of Delta Airlines. The state's schools and colleges are among the best places around the country. The State remains committed to early education in public institutions.

The state's infrastructure gives it a competitive advantage: Michigan has 38 deepwater ports. In 2007, Bank of America announced a $25 billion commitment to the state.

The state income tax is 4.35%. Sales tax - 6%. Section 9 of the Michigan Constitution sets the limits to which the state may receive taxes.

Tourism in the Detroit metropolitan area attracts tourists to visit leading attractions, especially the Ford Museum, as well as the Detroit Museum of Art and the Detroit Zoo. Other museums: Historical Museum Detroit, Museum of African and American history named after Charles H. Wright, Arabic American National Museum. There are 4 large casinos within the city: MGM Grand Detroit, Greektown, Motor City and Caesars Windsor in Windsor (Ontario, Canada). Detroit is the largest American city, offering casino resorts.

Hunting and fishing are significant industries in the state. Charter boats can be rented in many cities near the Great Lakes if you want to fish for salmon, trout, walleye or bass. Michigan ranks first in the United States in the number of licensed hunters (more than 1 million), whose annual contribution to the state's economy is $2 billion.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages the largest forest system in the country. The timber industry contributes $12 billion annually to the state and provides 200,000 jobs.

Michigan is connected to Canada by 9 international bridges:

— Ambassador Bridge (the busiest border bridge across the Detroit River);

— Blue Water Bridge is a two-span bridge connecting Port Huron (Michigan) with Port Edward (Ontario) and the city of Sarnia (Ontario);

- Blue Water Crossing - connecting Marine City (Michigan) and Sombra (Ontario);

— Canadian Pacific Railway Tunnel;

— Freight ferry “Detroit - Windsor” - Detroit (Michigan) and Windsor (Ontario);

— Detroit-Windsor tunnel;

— International Bridge — Sault Saint Mary (Michigan) — Sault Saint Mary (Ontario);

— Saint Clair River Railway Tunnel — Port Huron (Michigan) — Sarnia (Ontario);

- Crossing Wolpole Island - Algonac (Michigan) - Wolpole Island First Nation (Ontario).

Construction of a second international bridge between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, is currently being considered.

In addition to the above Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Airport, located in the eastern suburban city of Romulus, which in 2010 was considered the 16th busiest airport in North America, Michigan also has International Airport named after Gerald R. Ford, located in Grand Rapids. It is the second busiest airport in the state and serves 9 airlines to 23 destinations. Flint Bishop International Airport is the third airport in the state, serving 4 airlines. Small regional and local airports are located within the state, as well as on several islands.

Important cities for Michigan with a population of more than 100,000 residents, according to 2011 data:

— Detroit (706,585 inhabitants);

5. Kalamazoo (524.030).

Half of the state's wealthiest communities are in Oakland County, north of Detroit. Another community is east of the city in Grosse Pointe. The city of Detroit has a median per capita income of $14,717 (517th in the state). The poorest city is Benton Harbor (per capita income here is $8,965). The state's richest city is Barton Hills ($110,683 per person income).

Major major league sports teams include the Detroit Tigers baseball team, the Detroit Lions football team, the Detroit Red Wings ice hockey team, and the Detroit Pistons men's basketball team. All of the above teams play within the Metro Detroit metropolitan area.

Michigan is called the "Wolverine State" and the University of Michigan uses the wolverine as its mascot. This association was founded a long time ago and is well established. Many Detroit residents volunteered for the American Civil War, and George Armstrong Custer, who led the Michigan Brigade, often called them "Wolverines." The reasons for this association are unclear. This may be due to the brisk fur trade in Sault Ste Marie in the 18th century, or perhaps it is intended to compare the area's early settlers to a mammal. Wolverines themselves are extremely rare in the state. In 2004, this animal was discovered in the Ubli area for the first time in 200 years. However, in 2010, the mammal was found dead.

The state motto is the Latin phrase “Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice,” which translates to “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.” This motto was adopted in 1835 and was depicted on the coat of arms, but was never the official motto of the state.

Michigan's sister cities are Shiga Prefecture (Japan) and Sichuan Province (China).