Living in Michigan

Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries, and cranberries are among the fruit-bearing plants and shrubs that grow wild in many areas of the state, as do mushrooms and wild asparagus. The state flower, the apple blossom, calls to mind the importance of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs in Michigan, but wild flowers also abound, with as many as 400 varieties found in a single county. Eight Michigan plant species were listed as threatened or endangered as of 2003, including the American hart's-tongue fern, dwarf lake iris, Michigan Monkey-flower, and Eastern prairie fringed orchid.

The state's fauna, like its flora, has been greatly affected by settlement and, in a few cases, by intensive hunting and fishing. Moose are now confined to Isle Royale, as are nearly all the remaining wolves, which once roamed throughout the state. The caribou and passenger pigeon have been extirpated, but the elk and turkey have been successfully reintroduced in the 20th century. There is no evidence that the state's namesake, the wolverine, was ever found in Michigan, at least in historic times. Despite intensive hunting, the deer population remains high. Other game animals include the common cottontail, snowshoe hare, raccoon, and various squirrels. In addition to the raccoon, important native furbearers are the river otter and the beaver, once virtually exterminated but now making a strong comeback.

More than 300 types of birds have been observed. Aside from the robin (the state bird), the most notable bird is Kirtland's warbler, which nests only in a 60 square mile section of jack-pine forest in north-central Michigan. Ruffed grouse, bobwhite quail, American woodcock, and various ducks and geese are hunted extensively. Populations of ring-necked pheasant, introduced in 1895, have dropped at an alarming rate in recent decades. Reptiles include the massasauga, the state's only poisonous snake.

Whitefish, perch, and lake trout (the state fish) are native to the Great Lakes while perch, bass, and pike are indigenous to inland waters. In 1877, the carp was introduced, with such success that it has since become a nuisance. Rainbow and brown trout have also been planted, and in the late 1960s, the state enjoyed its most spectacular success with the introduction of several species of salmon

Government

Elected executive officials include the governor and lieutenant governor (who run jointly), secretary of state, and attorney general, all serving four-year terms. Elections are held in even-numbered years between US presidential elections. The governor and lieutenant governor must be at least 30 years old and must have been registered voters in the state for at least four years prior to election.The governor, who is limited to serving two consecutive terms, appoints the members of the governing boards and/or directors of executive departments, with the exception of the Department of Education, whose head is appointed by the elected State Board of Education. The trustees of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University are also elected by the state's voters. Trustees serve eight-year terms.

A voter in Michigan must be a US citizen, at least18 years old, and must have been a resident of the state and city or township for 30 days prior to election day. Those confined to jail after conviction and sentencing are ineligible to vote.

Attractions

The first lighthouse in the state, Fort Gratiot Light, was erected in 1825. It is still active. The Michigan.gov website has a Map of Michigan Lighthouses in PDF format.

Amusement Parks

Michigan's Adventure is a 250-acre amusement park in Muskegon County, Michigan, about halfway between Muskegon and Whitehall. It is the largest amusement park in the state and has been owned and operated by Cedar Fair since 2001. As of 2012, Michigan's Adventure had 53 rides, more than any other park in the state. The park also includes an outdoor water park, WildWater Adventure. The park is headlined by seven roller coasters, including Shivering Timbers, a basic wooden coaster, and a suspended looping coaster, Thunderhawk. The typical operating season is May through September.

National Parks

Isle Royale National Park

Explore a rugged, isolated island, far from the sights and sounds of civilization. Surrounded by Lake Superior, Isle Royale offers unparalleled solitude and adventures for backpackers, hikers, boaters, kayakers, canoeists and scuba divers. Here, amid stunning scenic beauty, you'll find opportunities for reflection and discovery, and make memories that last a lifetime.

From 7,000 years ago to the 1900s people mined Keweenaw copper. Native peoples made copper into tools and trade items. Investors and immigrants arrived in the 1800s in a great mineral rush, developing thriving industries and cosmopolitan communities. Though the mines have since closed, their mark is still visible on the land and people.

If you are interested in automotive history, then MotorCities National Heritage Area is the place to be. Tour the factory where Henry Ford created and built the Model T. Learn the stories behind the creation of General Motors and DamilerChrysler. Come with us and learn about the long and sometimes tenuous relationship between Labor and Industry while experiencing southeast Michigan.

Seven States-New York to North Dakota MI,MN,ND,NY,OH,PA,WI Come to the North Country. Trek the hills and valleys. Lakes and streams remain from glaciers 10,000 years before. Here you’ll find clear-flowing water, the red and gold of autumn, a fairyland of snow, wide open prairies, and distant horizons. Historic sites along the way tell the story of how America settled and grew as a nation. From New York to North Dakota, you're never far from adventure.

Sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coastal features and affects every ecosystem, creating a unique landscape to explore. Hiking, camping, sightseeing, and four-season outdoor opportunities abound.

River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves, commemorates, and interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath in Monroe and Wayne counties in SE Michigan. The Battle resulted in the greatest victory for Tecumseh’s American Indian confederation and the greatest defeat for the U.S. The resulting rally cry “Remember the Raisin” spurred support for the rest of the war.

Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacular views across the lake. An island lighthouse, US Life-Saving Service stations, coastal villages, and picturesque farmsteads reflect the park’s rich maritime, agricultural, and recreational history.

National Forests

Huron-Manistee National Forest

Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary is located around a small spring-fed lake in the forest. The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness has sand dunes up to 140 feet high along Lake Michigan.

Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Hiawatha National Forest borders Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. The forest is home to Grand Island National Recreation Area and five wilderness areas.

Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Ottawa National Forest stretches from Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. There are 500 named lakes, nearly 2,000 miles of streams, and three wilderness areas in the forest

Sports

The Pistons played at Detroit's Cobo Arena until 1978 and at the Pontiac Silverdome until 1988 when they moved into The Palace of Auburn Hills. In 2017, the team moved to the newly built Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit. The Detroit Lions played at Tiger Stadium in Detroit until 1974, then moved to the Pontiac Silverdome where they played for 27 years between 1975 and 2002 before moving to Ford Field in Detroit in 2002. The Detroit Tigers played at Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) from 1912 to 1999. In 2000 they moved to Comerica Park. The Red Wings played at Olympia Stadium before moving to Joe Louis Arena in 1979. They later moved to Little Caesars Arena to join the Pistons as tenants in 2017. Professional hockey got its start in Houghton, when the Portage Lakers were formed

Taxes

• Income tax: 4.25% flat rate
• Local income tax: 0%-2.4%
• Sales tax: 6%
• Property tax: 1.78% average effective rate
• Gas tax: 42.14 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and 42.54 cents per gallon of diesel

Transportation

Aviation

Because Michigan is a big state and well connected to global destinations and the rest of the US, it has a huge traffic of people entering and exiting the state every day. There are many international airports in Michigan. They include Bishop International Airport at Flint, Gerald R. Ford International Airport at Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo / Battle Creek International Airport at Kalamazoo, Sawyer International Airport at Marquette, MBS International Airport at Saginaw and Chippewa County International Airport at Sault Ste. Marie. In addition, there are international general aviation airports such as Coleman A. Young Airport in Detroit, Oakland County International Airport in Pontiac, St. Clair County International Airport and Merillat International Airport.

Ore freighter Arthur M. Anderson departing the Escanaba harbor

Ports

Rail

Amtrak passenger rail services the state, connecting many southern and western Michigan cities to Chicago, Illinois. There are plans for commuter rail for Detroit and its suburbs (see SEMCOG Commuter Rail).

Roads

Tuscola counties.

Michigan Housing

Michigan Towns and Cities

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Pure Michigan History, Geography, Homes, and State Resources of Michigan Michigan USA Map Living costs are some of the many benefits of living in Michigan. Comparatively costs are much lower than numerous other regions across the U.S.. Naturally, this depends upon the particular Michigan location you select although overall, there are great deals on housing and retail purchases. For a family moving to Michigan, you are going to discover that the system of education in the public schools of Michigan are among the best with high standards along with an above average rate of success. There are also many colleges, universities, private schools and trade schools, in Michigan. One of the primary reasons to live in Michigan is its climate. Michigan has four separate seasons while the opportunities for recreational to go along with each season. For those people who enjoy changing seasons, Michigan is a great location. Michigan is also renowned for its miles of beaches that surround the area. there is a profusion of wildlife and the landscape is exceptionally breathtaking with its flora and fauna. Anyone with an interest in seeing the natural habitat of many species should come to Michigan to soak in its beauty. Climate Michigan has a temperate climate with well-defined seasons. The warmest temperatures and longest frost-free period are found most generally in the southern part of the lower peninsula; Detroit has a normal daily mean temperature of 49°F, ranging from 23°F in January to 72°F in July. Demography Tall and elegant or short and utilitarian, beautifully restored or lying silently forgotten, the dozens of lighthouses standing sentinel along Michigan’s 3,200 miles of shoreline are worth a visit. Many of Michigan’s lighthouses are open for tours, if only seasonally. Others are home to bed and breakfast lodging or museums. Still others are privately owned or otherwise inaccessible, inviting admiration from afar a few souvenir photographs. Take a look at Michigan Lighthouses Michigan Geography, Facts and History Michigan Facts & Trivia Michigan Flags Famous People from Michigan Michigan Timeline Michigan Official Song Education Michigan Colleges. Michigan offers a number of public universities across the state and numerous private colleges. Michigan State University has the eighth largest campus population of any US school. Seven of the state universities-Central Michigan University, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, Oakland University, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University-are considered by the Carnegie Foundation to be research universities Economy Known as the home of the automotive industry, manufacturing is no longer the number one sector. That spot now belongs to the finance, insurance and real estate sector, which titals 21 percent of private industry gross domestic product. Manufacturing is now number two at 19 percent. Flora and Fauna Michigan State Flower - Apple Blossom Michigan State Tree - Eastern White Pine