General Features:
Michigan is a state located in the eastern north-central United States. The state is divided into two areas: the upper peninsula and the lower peninsula. The upper peninsula is bordered by Lake Superior on the north, by Wisconsin on the west and on the south by Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The lower peninsula is bordered on the west by Lake Michigan and on the east by Lake Huron and Lake Erie. On the south it borders Indiana and Ohio. The geographic center of the state is in Wexford County. The landscape of Michigan comprises the Superior Upland and the Great Lakes Plains.
Superior Upland:
The western area of the Upper Peninsula, where the terrain becomes more rugged, is referred to as the Superior Upland. The region runs along Lake Superior and into the Porcupine Mountains in northwestern Michigan. Mount Arvon, the highest point in Michigan, is found on the Upper Peninsula.
The Great Lakes Plains:
The region stretches along the Great Lakes, from Michigan and Wisconsin to Ohio. The Lower Peninsula lies in this region. Lake Erie, the lowest point in Michigan is found in the Lower Peninsula.
Geographical Facts About Michigan
| Area | 96,810 square miles |
| Land Area | 56,809 square miles |
| Water Area | 40,001 square miles |
| Highest Point | Mount Arvon 1,979 feet (603 m) |
| Lowest Point | Lake Erie 571 feet (174 m) |
| Mean elevation | 900 feet above sea-level |
| Geographic Center | Wexford County |
Climate of Michigan:
Michigan is characterized by a continental climate. The southern region in the Lower Peninsula has a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters, while the northern part of Lower Peninsula has a more severe climate with warm summers and very cold winters. The highest temperature recorded in Michigan is 111.2°F (44°C) at Mio on July 13th, 1936. The state registered the lowest temperature of -50.8°F (-46°C) on February 9th, 1934 at Vanderbilt. Michigan is prone to severe weather conditions and thunderstorms, tornadoes are common in some areas. An average of seventeen tornadoes occur every year in the extreme southern portion of the state.
Mountains:
Mount Arvon is the highest mountain peak in the state and also the highest point. It is 1,979 feet above sea level. The other mountains found in Michigan are:
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Lakes
The state has numerous lakes in both the peninsulas. Lake Michigan is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume. The other major lakes are:
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