Wisconsin (original) (raw)

Wisconsin

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State nickname: Badger State State motto: "Forward"
Other U.S. States
Capital Madison
Largest City Milwaukee
Area - Total - Land - Water - % water Ranked 23rd 169,790 km�140,787 km� 28,006 km� 17%
Population - Total (2002) - Density Ranked 18th 5,453,896 31.6/km�
Admittance into Union - Order - Date 30th May 29, 1848
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
LatitudeLongitude 42°30'N to 47°3'N86°49'W to 92°54'W
WidthLengthElevation-Highest-Mean-Lowest 420 km 500 km 595 meters320 meters177 meters
ISO 3166-2: US-WI

Wisconsin is the 23rd largest state of the United States, (54,314 square miles) and 18th greatest population (5,453,896 as of 2002). The state's name is an English version of a French adaptation of an Indian name said to mean "the place where we live."

Wisconsin's natural beauty has made the state a favorite playground of the nation. Vacationers enjoy the state's clean lakes, rolling hills, quiet valleys, deep forests and cool, pine-scented breezes. The winters are ideal for skating, skiing, snowmobiling and tobogganing. Many communities stage curling matches during the winter and others hold snowmobile derbies. Many annual events celebrate the state's rich ethnic heritage and diversity.

Known as "The Dairy State", Wisconsin is also known for beer, cheese, and many festivals, such as Summerfest and the EAA Oshkosh Airshow.

USS Wisconsin was named in honor of this state.

Wisconsin's political history encompasses, on the one hand, Fighting Bob La Follette and the Progressive movement; and on the other, Joe McCarthy, the anti-communist "witch-hunter" of the 1950s. The first Socialist mayor of a large city in the United States was Emil Seidel, elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1910; another Socialist, Daniel Hoan, was mayor of Milwaukee from 1916 to 1940.

History

Main Article: History of Wisconsin

In 1634, Frenchman Jean Nicolet became Wisconsin's first European explorer. The French controlled the area until 1763, when it was ceded to the British. In 1848, Wisconsin was admitted as the 30th state.

Law and Government

The capital is Madison and the largest city is Milwaukee.

Geography

See:

List of Wisconsin counties

It is bordered by Lake Superior and Michigan to the north, by Lake Michigan to the east, by Illinois to the south, and by Iowa and Minnesota to the west. Part of the state's boundaries includes the Mississippi River and St. Croix River.

Important Cities and Towns

The following are major cities in Wisconsin:

Wisconsin's minor cities include:

Badger State
State Animal: badger
State DomesticatedAnimal: Dairy Cow
State Beverage: Milk
State Bird: Robin
State Capital: Madison
State Fish: Muskellunge
State Flower: Wood Violet
State Insect: Honeybee
State Song: "On Wisconsin"
State Tree: Sugar Maple
State Mineral: Galena (Lead sulphide)
State Rock: Red Granite
State Soil: Antigo Silt Loam
State Dance: Polka

Education

Colleges and Universities

Professional Sports Teams