Lower Peninsula of Michigan
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Michigan's lower peninsula is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the lower peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people associate with a mitten. This has led to several folkloric creation myths for the area, one being that it is a hand print of Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack and favorite folk character in Michigan. This has also led to the distinctive phenomenon of lower peninisula residents holding out their hand and pointing to a spot on it when asked where they are from.
The lower peninsula is also known to Michiganders as "The Mitten", "Below the Bridge", and occasionally "The L.P." (in parallel with "the U.P." for the Upper Peninsula). It is referred to - with more than a little sarcasm - as "Detroit" by residents of the Upper Peninsula. Residents of the Lower Peninsula are also referred to as "Trolls" (because they live "below the bridge").
Michigan's lower peninsula can be divided into six main regions based on geological, soil, and vegetation differences; amount of urban areas or rural areas; minority populations; and agriculture. These are Northern Michigan, Central (or Mid-) Michigan, the Thumb, Western Michigan, Southern Michigan, and Southeast Michigan (Metro Detroit).
The Thumb
Major CitiesCentral Michigan (Mid-Michigan)
Major Cities AttractionsSoutheast Michigan/
Major Cities
Attractions
- Cranbrook Educational Community
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Detroit Science Center
- Detroit Zoo
- Eastern Michigan University
- Greektown
- The Henry Ford (includes The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village)
- University of Michigan
- Wayne State University
Southern Michigan
Major Cities
Attractions
Western Michigan
Major Cities
Attractions
- Kalamazoo Air Zoo
- Kellogg Company, Cereal City USA
- Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
- Fort Custer Recreation Area, Battle Creek Area
- Grand Valley State University
- Holland State Park, busiest state park in Michigan
- Muskegon Air Show
- Tulip Festival in Holland
- Unity Christian Music Festival in Muskegon
- Western Michigan University
Major Cities
Attractions
Notes
- Note (1): Port Huron and Flint are technically within the larger Detroit Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area, but are generally considered part of the Thumb region instead.
Attractions
Notes
- Note (1): Port Huron and Flint are technically within the larger Detroit Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area, but are generally considered part of the Thumb region instead.
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