Wisconsin

History: Wisconsin was home to several Native American tribes such as the Ojibwa, Sauk, Fox, Kickapoo, and Pottawatomie. The first European visitor was French explorer Jacques Marquette in 1673. The French, and later the British after 1763, were mainly interested in fur trading. When ceded to the U.S. after the Revolutionary War, Wisconsin became part of the Northwest Terrritory. It was separated as the Wisconsin Territory in 1836, and became the 30^th state on May 29, 1848.

Economy: Large numbers of German and Scandinavian immigrants resulted in a large dairy industry. Wisconsin produces one quarter of all U.S. cheese and butter, as well as being second in milk production. Other farm products are corn, cranberries, ginseng, snap beans, oats, potatoes, and carrots. Another result of immigration was the large beer industry, with several national brands headquartered in Milwaukee. Manufacturing of heavy equipment, tools, motorcycles, paper, and medical devices is also important in the state.

Climate: Northern Wisconsin has a warm-summer humid continental climate, while the southern part is hot-summer.

Geography: Wisconsin is located in the Great Lakes region, since it borders both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. It has both highlands and plains, with lowlands along the lakes. Winters, though, are very cold and snowy, averaging 40 inches per year in the south to as much as 160 inches in the north.

Fun Facts:

Wisconsin is nicknamed the ‘Badger State’, and America’s Dairyland.
The State Dance is the Polka.
The Green Bay Packers is the third-oldest football team in the NFL, and is the only non-profit, community-owned professional sports team in the U.S.
Only Alaska, Michigan, and Florida have more total lake area than Wisconsin.
Lowest temperature ever recorded was -55° F (-48° C) in the village of Couderay in February 1996.
The Republican Party was organized and started in Wisconsin.

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