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Michigan is a state in the United States. The name is derived from Lake Michigan, which in turn is believed to come from the Chippewa Indian word mishi-gami, meaning "great water." Bounded by four of the Great Lakes, Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the continental United States, the longest total shoreline after Alaska (including island shorelines)[1], and more recreational boats than any other state in the union. A person in Michigan is never more than 85 miles (137 km) from a Great Lake. Michigan is the only state composed of two separate peninsulas. The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is nicknamed "The Mitten" because it resembles the palm of a right-hand mitten. When asked where in Michigan they come from, residents of the Lower Peninsula often point to the corresponding part of their right palm. The Upper Peninsula (U.P.) is separated from the Lower Peninsula by a five-mile stretch of water known as the Straits of Mackinac, and is economically important in tourism and natural resources. Residents of the upper peninsula are often called "Yoopers" (UPers). Michigan is made up of two peninsulas of land separated by the Straits of Mackinac. It is bordered on the south at 42º north latitude by the states of Ohio and Indiana. Its northernmost border, at 48º north latitude, lies in Lake Superior north of the shore of Isle Royale. Michigan lies between 82°30' to about 90º30' west longitude. It is bordered on the west by Lake Michigan and Wisconsin, and on the east by Ontario, Canada; Lake Huron and Lake Erie; and Detroit River and St. Clair River. Michigan encompasses 56,809 square miles (147,135 km²) of land, 38,575 square miles (99,909 km²) of Great Lakes waters and 1,471 square miles (3,810 km²) of inland waters. At a total of 96,810 square miles (250,630 km²), it is the largest state east of the Mississippi River if territorial water is included. Georgia and Florida each have a slightly larger land area, however. The state is subdivided into 83 counties.
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