| Central Michigan | |
| Mid-Michigan | |
| Lower Peninsula of Michigan | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Michigan |
 The Central Michigan and Mid Michigan describe the same general region of Michigan.
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Central Michigan, often called Mid Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As its name implies, it is the central area of the Lower Peninsula. Lower Michigan is said to resemble a mitten, and Central Michigan corresponds roughly to the palm. The region consists mainly of farmland and some cities of moderate size.
Contents |
Definitions [edit]
For the most part Central Michigan and Mid Michigan are synonymous with each other, representing generally the same geographic area of Michigan. However, some definitions of Central Michigan and Mid Michigan can vary significantly, depending on one's point of reference.
- The Flint & Tri-Cities Area is a term that refers to the area surrounding Flint, Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City areas which is commonly referred to as Mid Michigan.
- The Thumb of Michigan is a peninsula that surrounded by Lake Huron and located in the east-central area of the state.
- The area known as Southern Michigan is loosely defined, however, it usually refers to cities such as Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Jackson.
The principal city in Central Michigan is Lansing, which is the capital of Michigan. Most of the area is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing[1]
Economy [edit]
Central Michigan's economy is primarily agricultural, and some automobile manufacturing. Major crops include corn, sugar beets, and soy beans. Until 2004, Mid-Michigan (specifically Lansing) was also known for being the location of the main Oldsmobile plant for General Motors. General Motors operates the Flint Truck Assembly factory in Flint and Powertrain plants in Flint, Bay City, and Saginaw. The Michigan Sugar Company, which is a cooperative owned by 1,250 farmers, operates factories in Bay City, Caro, Croswell, and Sebewaing. The Dow Chemical Company's world headquarters is based in Midland. The world headquarters of Nexteer Automotive is located in Saginaw. S.C. Johnson and Son has a manufacturing facility in Bay City making Ziploc products.
Geography [edit]
- See also List of Michigan state parks and geography of Michigan.
- Central or Mid Michigan is used to describe the area of the Flint/Tri-Cities known as the Saginaw Valley.
- Central or Mid Michigan can also include parts or all of Southern Michigan.
- The region includes many rivers including the Grand River, Red Cedar River, Saginaw River, and Flint River.
- The region is home to rolling hills and generally flat landscapes
Colleges and universities [edit]
Major educational institutions in Central Michigan:
- Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant
- Michigan State University in East Lansing
- Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing
- Lansing Community College in Lansing
- Mid Michigan Community College in Harrison and Mt. Pleasant
- Albion College in Albion
- Alma College in Alma
- Hillsdale College in Hillsdale
- Olivet College in Olivet
- Saginaw Valley State University in University Center
- Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor.
- Jackson Community College in Jackson (partnered with Siena Heights University)
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School (the nation's largest) is headquartered in Lansing.
- University of Michigan–Flint
- Kettering University in Flint
- Baker College (throughout different areas of Michigan)
- Davenport University (throughout different areas of Michigan)
Transportation [edit]
Airports [edit]
- Scheduled airline service is offered from Lansing Capital Region International Airport.[2]
- Scheduled airline service is also available from MBS International Airport[3] near Midland, Michigan and Flint Bishop International Airport.[4]
- Other portions are proximate to Gerald R. Ford International Airport, east of Grand Rapids, Michigan,[5] and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport near Kalamazoo, Michigan.[6]
Major Highways [edit]
I-69
I-75
I-94
I-96
I-496 (R.E. Olds Freeway)
US 10
US 12 also known as Michigan Avenue and Chicago Road
US 23
US 127 comes from the south, through Lansing, and ends its 758-mile (1,220 km) journey at Grayling.[7] It directly connects northern Michigan (and the Mackinac Bridge via I-75) to Lansing, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee (all the way down to Chattanooga)[8] US 127 is the direct link between the state capital in Lansing and the Ingham County seat in Mason.
M-43 is a highway in southwestern and central Michigan from South Haven to Webberville.
M-46— a cross peninsular road, running across the entire mitten including the thumb—from Port Sanilac on the Lake Huron shore; through Saginaw near Saginaw Bay; and then on to Muskegon on the Lake Michigan shore.[9] This east-west surface route nearly bisects the Lower Peninsula of Michigan latitudinally.
M-13
M-15
M-21- M-46
M-57
M-66
M-87
M-99
M-100
Railroads [edit]
- Great Lakes Central Railroad
- CSX
- Grand Trunk Western Railroad
- Norfolk Southern
- Michigan Southern Railroad
- Mid-Michigan Railroad
- Indiana and Ohio Railway
- Lake State Railway
Notable people [edit]
More comprehensive lists are available at individual cities, villages, etc.
Lansing [edit]
- Jim Cash - Screenwriter Top Gun and other successful films
- Thom Hartmann - radio talk-show host & author
- Andy Hilbert - NHL hockey player
- John Hughes - film director
- Magic Johnson - NBA basketball star
- Lisa Kron - theatre actress & playwright
- Muhsin Muhammad - NFL football star
- Ransom E. Olds - Automobile Manufacturer; founded Olds Motor Vehicle Company
- Larry Page - co-founder of Google.com
- Greg Raymer - 2004 World Series of Poker champion
- Burt Reynolds - actor
- Steven Seagal - actor
- John Smoltz - MLB star and 1996 Cy Young Award winner
- Jim "Soni" Sonefeld - drummer & percussionist for Hootie & The Blowfish
- Debbie Stabenow - U.S. Senator - began political career in Ingham County
- Stevie Wonder - singer, attended the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing (Born and raised in Saginaw, MI)
- Malcolm X - human rights activist
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Archdiocese of Lansing home page and history, dioceseoflansing.org
- ^ Lansing Capital Region International Airport, flylansing.com
- ^ MBS International Airport, mbsairport.com
- ^ Flint Bishop International Airport, bishopairport.org
- ^ Gerald R. Ford International Airport, grr.org
- ^ Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), azoairport.com
- ^ Picture of northern terminus US 127 at Grayling, Michigan, state-ends.com
- ^ "Endpoints of US highways". Archived from the original on 2009-10-27.
- ^ M-46 Endpoint Photos., state-ends.com
External links [edit]
- Archdiocese of Lansing home page and history
- Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Michigan (arranged by counties and regions)
- Michigan Geology -- Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources website, harbors, hunting, resources and more.
- Info Michigan, detailed information on 630 cities
- Michigan's Official Economic Development and Travel Site, including interactive map, information on attractions, museums, etc.
- Michigan Historic Markers
- Michigan's Official Economic Development and Travel Site.
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