Lower Peninsula of Michigan
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Michigan's lower peninsula is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the lower peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people associate with a mitten. This has led to several folkloric creation myths for the area, one being that it is a hand print of Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack and favorite folk character in Michigan. This has also led to the distinctive phenomenon of lower peninisula residents holding out their hand and pointing to a spot on it when asked where they are from.
The lower peninsula is also known to Michiganders as "The Mitten", "Below the Bridge", and occasionally "The L.P." (in parallel with "the U.P." for the upper peninsula). It is referred to - with more than a little sarcasm - as "Detroit" by residents of the Upper Peninsula. Residents of the Lower Peninsula are also referred to as "Trolls" (because they live "below the bridge").
Michigan's lower peninsula can be divided into six main regions based on geological, soil, and vegetation differences; amount of urban vs. rural areas; minority populations; and agriculture: Northern Michigan, Central (or Mid-) Michigan, the Thumb, Western Michigan, Southern Michigan, and Southeast Michigan (Metro Detroit).
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The Thumb
Major Cities
Central Michigan (Mid-Michigan)
Major Cities
Attractions
Southeast Michigan/Metro Detroit
Major Cities
Attractions
- Cranbrook Educational Community
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Detroit Zoo
- Greektown
- Greenfield Village
- University of Michigan
Southern Michigan
Major Cities
Attractions
Western Michigan
Major Cities
Attractions
- Kellogg's Cereal City
- Western Michigan University
- Holland State Park, busiest state park in Michigan
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- Tulip Festival in Holland
Northern Michigan
Major Cities
Attractions
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Leelanau Peninsula
- Mackinac Island
- Cherry Festival in Traverse City
Notes
- Note (1): Port Huron and Flint are technically within the larger Detroit Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area, but are generally considered part of the Thumb region instead.
