The farthest one would have to travel in Michigan to get to one of the four Great Lakes that surround it, is 85 miles. Known for both the auto industry and its vast wilderness, you only have to travel a few miles to be transported from the bustling city to the secluded outdoors.
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Renowned for its lakes and car production, Michigan is the only state that residents can use their palm as a state map. The state boasts that it has approximately 11,000 lakes and was home to the world’s first automobile factory. Michigan is also the only state comprised of two, separate peninsulas, connected by the famous Mackinac Bridge. The two peninsulas are different in many respects. The lower has its industries and farming, the upper has its rugged terrain, open spaces and numerous waterfalls.
With Detroit being nicknamed the Motor City, and Battle Creek the Breakfast Food Center of the Country, Michigan products appear in virtually every home in the nation. Along with the auto industry, Michigan has also become a huge technological center, since one goes hand in hand with the other. The land was once covered with vast forests that provided for the forest industry. Now it relies on numerous and extensive reforestation programs to maintain its lumbering industry.
The statewide sales tax is six percent. Local options range from an additional one and one half to six percent on lodging in convention hotels and five percent at other facilities. An additional two percent tax is charged in metropolitan areas.
With Michigan’s varied recreational opportunities and climate, it attracts tourism in all four seasons. Water sports and camping dominate the spring and summer. Autumn has its color tours to witness the beautiful changing foliage and winter is snowmobiling and skiing paradise. Michigan is also home to a number of world class golf courses.
