Michigan (http://www.michigan.org/t...) pronounced "MISH-i-g'n" is an American state in the upper Midwest and the heart of the Great Lakes region. It has many attractions, famous landmarks, and scenic state and national parks and forests. In addition to the great ones, it has about 12,000 inland lakes, 38 deep-water ports, and more miles of coastline than any state but Alaska, and more lighthouses than any other U.S. state. Its agriculture features tourist-friendly fare such as cherries, blueberries, peaches, apples, and wine. And its cities include a major metropolis, some university towns, and countless rustic villages.
The state is geographically unique, being comprised of two major peninsulas and can be further divided into five distinct areas. They are the Upper Peninsula, known to Michiganders as "The U.P", Northern Michigan Big Rapids and Northwards, West Michigan along the sandy coast of Lake Michigan, Central Michigan or "Mid-Michigan" and the Southeast or "Downstate".
