Michigan Fun Facts

Fun Facts about Michigan

What is the 45th? 45th Parallel is a demarcation point halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. It crosses Michigan from east to west starting just south of Alpena, through just south of Gaylord in central Michigan, then crosses through the Jordon River valley and across Torch Lake.

The 45th Parallel is marked by a 12-foot cairn erected in 1938 near the west side of Torch Lake. A stone carved with each of the 83 counties is included. There is also one piece of granite from Brunswick, Georgia. The 45th Parallel continues west across Grand Traverse Bay through Leelanau County near the communities of Suttons Bay and Leland. The 45th also touches the southernmost point of South Manitou Island, 15 miles west, in Lake Michigan.

In 1971, the House and Senate of the State of Michigan recognized the Michigan Polar-Equator Trail as a significant tourist attraction in Michigan.

More Facts: State Motto: "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice" (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.)
Origin of state's name: Based on Chippewa Indian word "meicigama" meaning "great water" and refers to the Great Lakes.
State Bird: American Robin
State Fish: Brook Trout
State Reptile: Painted Turtle
State Stone: Petoskey
State Flower: Apple blossom
State Tree: White Pine
State Mammal: White Tailed Deer
State Wildflower: Dwarf Lake Iris
State Fossil: Mastodon
State Gem: Chlorastrolite (“green star stone” found in UP)
State Song: Michigan, My Michigan
Population: over 10 million (2004 Census estimate) making it the eighth largest state.