Ms. C's Michigan

Michigan

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Land Facts

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Source: www.infoplease.com/atlas/state/michigan.html

Michigan

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How big is your state in square miles? 1 Michigan’s total area is 96,716 square miles, making it the 11th largest state overall. Interestingly, only 56, 804 square miles are land (59%); the remaining 39,912 square miles consist of water area( 41%).

Michigan is almost 10 times bigger than Massachusetts in total area and approximately 8 times bigger in land area.

What are the major geographical features?2 Michigan consists of two peninsulas. The Lower Peninsula (where most of the population lives) is shaped like a mitten (not a glove!) The Upper Peninsula is called the “U.P.” for short by Michiganders and looks like a jumping rabbit. Part of Michigan is located north of Canada.

Major Lakes or Rivers: Michigan is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes: Lake Huron Lake Michigan Lake Erie Lake Superior

1 2

“The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2011.” (2010) (New York: Infobase Learning). p. 584.

Haney, Johannah and Richard Hantula (2012). “Itʼs My State! Michigan.” (New York: Marshall Cavendish). p. 9

Michigan

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Unlike most other lakes in the U.S., the Great Lakes are so large they can seem like an ocean, in part because there are waves, especially in Lake Superior.

Photo Source: http://symonsez.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/superior-storm.jpg

There are many rivers in Michigan as well as a large number of waterfalls, especially in the U.P. Mountain Range:3 Although the mountains in Michigan aren’t very high, the name of the mountain range in the U.P. is interesting-----The Porcupine Mountains---given this name by the Chippewa Indians because they thought the treecovered range looked like this animal.

3

Haney, Johannah and Richard Hantula (2012). “Itʼs My State! Michigan.” (New York: Marshall Cavendish). p. 10.

Michigan

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Beaches: Given how large the Great Lakes are, there’s plenty of beaches in Michigan. The beaches of the northern part of the Lower Peninsula and also Mackinaw Island are especially popular as summer vacation destinations.

Other unusual natural features: Michigan is home to the largest group of freshwater sand dunes in the world. The most famous of the dunes are the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes which are so large they can be seen from outer space.

Photo Source: http://www.rd.com/travel/beautiful-views-michigans-sleeping-bear-dunes-lakeshore/

Michigan

Questions to answer:

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1. Relative to their size, Michigan and Massachusetts have a similar amount of mountains.

2. Michigan has more lake area than Massachusetts or any other state in the U.S!

3. The biggest geographical differences between Michigan and Massachusetts are their sizes and the fact that Michigan is not next to the ocean.

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