Michigan Facts
Name Origin: Derived from the Indian words "Michi-gama" meaning "large lake."
Nickname: “The Wolverine State” 
Statehood: January 26, 1837 (26th)
Capital: Lansing, since 1847
State Motto: Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice -- "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."
Area:
  • 56,809 square miles of land
  • 1,305 square miles of inland water
  • 38,575 square miles of Great Lakes water area
  • 3,288 miles of Great Lakes shoreline
  • Length: 456 miles · Width: 386 miles
  • Northwest to Southeast corner: 456 miles
  • 11,037 inland lakes
State Symbols
  • Flower: Apple Blossom (Joint Resolution 10 of 1897)
  • Bird: Robin (House Concurrent Resolution 30 of 1931)
  • Tree: White Pine (Act 7 of 1955)
  • Stone: Petoskey Stone (Act 89 of 1965)
  • Gem: Chlorastrolite (Act 56 of 1972)
  • Fish: Brook Trout (Act 5 of 1988)
  • Soil: Kalkaska Soil Series (Act 302 of 1990)
  • Reptile: Painted Turtle (Act 281 of 1995)
  • Game Mammal: White-tailed Deer (Act 15 of 1997)
  • Wildflower: Dwarf Lake Iris (Act 454 of 1998)
Source: State of Michigan http://www.michigan.org