Michigan Facts

Remember: 

  • This is Michigan State University. Our colors are green and white. We are the Spartans. 
  • Our sports rivals are University of Michigan (“U of M”). They are in Ann Arbor; their colors are blue and gold; and they are the Wolverines. There is a lot of mostly-good-natured rivalry between MSU and UofM, but don’t call MSU just “Michigan.”
  • The State of Michigan is refers to the state in general or the state government.
  • People from Michigan call themselves Michiganders (much more common) or sometimes Michiganians. And they will use their left hand to point out directions in Michigan on their right hand. (The lower peninsula of Michigan looks like a hand).
A picture of the map of Michigan superimposed on a hand
  • Lansing is the capital of the state of Michigan.  East Lansing is a separate city next to Lansing.
  • Speak like a Michigander!
  • Here are some more facts from Michigan.gov:
    • The name Michigan is derived from the Indian words “Michi-gama” meaning large lake.
    • The State Nickname is the “Great Lake State.” Others include “Wolverine State” or “Water Winter Wonderland” or simply “the Mitten.”
    • The population is 9,328,784 (1990 Census). 9,488,000 est. 1/1/93 (98 per sq. mi.).
    • The capital is Lansing. The largest city is Detroit.
    • Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes.
    • Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams.
      • You are never more than six miles from one of them.
      • Anywhere in Michigan, you are within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes