What Are The Biggest Industries In Michigan?
Michigan is a state found in the Midwestern part of the US which is home to about 2 million people making the State the 10th most populous state in the country. Michigan is also the 11th largest state in terms of land area and the largest one in the eastern part of the Mississippi River.
The State joined the Union in 1837 becoming the 26th State to be admitted to the union. In the 19th century and early 20th century, the State became a significant center of trade and industry in the Great Lakes region and became a popular immigrant destination. Michigan has developed a diverse economy and is regarded as the center of the country’s automotive industry, which was developed in the early 20th century. Here are the top economic activities in Michigan:
Agriculture
Agriculture plays a significant role in the economy of Michigan. Some of the agricultural commodities produced in the state include vegetables, fruits, and other crops. There are a total of 54,800 farms comprising of 10 million acres, which produced agricultural products worth $6.5 billion in 2010. Some of the leading agricultural products include milk, soybeans, corn, wheat, flowers, potatoes, and sugar beets. Michigan has a population of about one million cattle, 78,000 sheep, three million chickens, and one million hogs. Products from livestock account for about 38% of all the value of agricultural output. The State is among the leading in the country in the production of fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches, tart cherries, and blueberries. Other fruits grown in the State include strawberries, pears, and plums. They are grown primarily in the western part of the State because the climate is moderate as a result of the effects of Lake Michigan.
Tourism
Tourism is one of the major industries in the State of Michigan, and the State has numerous tourism activities. It attracts several hunters, vacationers, and nature enthusiasts from different parts of the country as well as from Canada. Almost half of the State of Michigan is forested, with mountains, lakes, and thousands of miles of beaches, which are some of the leading attractions in the State. Tourism events attract different occasions, such as the National Cherry Festival and the Tulip Time Festival. Approximately 70% of all tourism activities in the State come from the residence of Michigan. Hunting and fishing are some of the leading activities in Michigan. Charter Boats are available in cities within the Great Lakes, and tourists use to fish perch, walleye, trout, and salmon.
Manufacturing
Michigan has all along been known as the US automotive capital having a rich history of the big three automobile makers of Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, and Chrysler LLC. These automakers began their operations in the early 20th century. Michigan is now home to 24% of all automobiles manufactured in the United States. In the recent past, the State of Michigan has become popular in alternative energy, and it has the largest manufacturer of lithium-ion battery in North America.
Some Interesting Facts About Michigan's Economy
- Detroit is known as the automobile capital of the world.
- The largest cement plant in the world is found in Alpena.
- The largest limestone quarry in the world is located near Rogers City, and similarly, the largest registered Holstein herd in the world is found in Elsie in Michigan.
- In 1939, the first air-conditioned car was manufactured in Detroit by the Packard Motor Company.
- Michigan Sugar Company is the largest sugar refinery in the State and the fourth largest in the United States. It is also the largest sugar factory in the east of the Mississippi River.
