Wikipedia

Wisconsin

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One of the periods of glaciation was also termed the Wisconsin glaciation.

Wisconsin
State
Map
CountryUnited States
Admitted to the UnionMay 29, 1848 (30th)
CapitalMadison
Largest cityMilwaukee
Government
 • GovernorJim Doyle
 • Upper house{{{Upperhouse}}}
 • Lower house{{{Lowerhouse}}}
U.S. senators{{{Senators}}}
Population
 • Total
5,453,896
 • Density98.8/sq mi (38.13/km2)
Language
 • Official languageNone
Latitude42°30'N to 47°3'N
Longitude86°49'W to 92°54'W

Wisconsin is the 23rd largest state of the United States, (54,314 square miles) and 18th greatest population (5,453,896 as of 2002). The state's name is an English version of a French adaptation of an Indian name said to mean "the place where we live."

Wisconsin's natural beauty has made the state a favorite playground of the nation. Vacationers enjoy the state's clean lakes, rolling hills, quiet valleys, deep forests and cool, pine-scented breezes.

The winters are ideal for skating, skiing, snowmobiling and tobogganing. Many communities stage curling matches during the winter and others hold snowmobile derbies. Many annual events celebrate the state's rich ethnic heritage and diversity.

Typical Wisconsin scenery

Known as "The Dairy State", Wisconsin is known for cheese. Wisconsinites humorously nickname themselves "Cheeseheads" and commonly wear orange foam hats that look like wedges of an orange Swiss cheese to sports events, concerts, and other public gatherings. In addition to cheese, Wisconsin is known for its beer, bratwursts, cranberries and many festivals, such as Summerfest and the EAA Oshkosh Airshow.

USS Wisconsin was named in honor of this state.

Wisconsin's political history encompasses, on the one hand, Fighting Bob La Follette and the Progressive movement; and on the other, Joe McCarthy, the anti-communist "witch-hunter" of the 1950s. The first Socialist mayor of a large city in the United States was Emil Seidel, elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1910; another Socialist, Daniel Hoan, was mayor of Milwaukee from 1916 to 1940. During the 2004 presidential election, Wisconsin was considered a "swing" state due to its residents being relatively equally split between voting for the Democratic and Republican candidates. The state just barely (by about 14,000 votes) went for the Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, who lost the national election.

History

Main Article: History of Wisconsin [[ In 1634, Frenchman Jean Nicolet became Wisconsin's first European explorer. The French controlled the area until 1763, when it was ceded to the British.

After the American Revolutionary War, Wisconsin was a part of the U.S.Northwest Territory. It was then governed as part of Indiana Territory, Illinois Territory, and Michigan Territory. Wisconsin Territory was organized on July 3, 1836 and became the 30th state on May 29, 1848.

Law and Government

The capital is Madison and the largest city is Milwaukee.

Geography

See: List of Wisconsin counties, List of cities in Wisconsin, List of villages in Wisconsin, List of towns in Wisconsin

It is bordered by Lake Superior and Michigan to the north, by Lake Michigan to the east, by Illinois to the south, and by Iowa and Minnesota to the west. Part of the state's boundaries includes the Mississippi River and St. Croix River.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2003, Wisconsin's population was estimated at 5,472,299 people.

The racial makeup of the state is:

The 5 largest ancestry groups in Wisconsin are German (42.6%), Irish (10.9%), Polish (9.3%), Norwegian (8.5%), English (6.5%)

6.4% of Wisconsin's population were reported as under 5, 25.5% under 18, and 13.1% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.6% of the population.

Religion

The religious affiliations of the citizens of Wisconsin are:

  • Protestant – 51%
  • Roman Catholic – 39%
  • Other Christian – 1%
  • Other Religions – 1%
  • Non-Religious – 6%

The three largest Protestant denominations in Wisconsin are: Lutheran (26% of the total state population), Methodist (6%), Baptist (4%).

Important cities and villages

Cities and villages are incorporated urban areas in Wisconsin. Towns are unincorporated minor civil divisions of counties.

Cities in Wisconsin with population of 50,000 or more as of 2000 include:

Other cities include:

 
Wisconsin, showing rivers and roads
Badger State
State Animal:badger
State Domesticated
Animal:		Dairy Cow
State Wild Animal:White-tailed Deer
State Beverage:Milk
State Bird:Robin
State Capital:Madison
State Dog:American Water Spaniel
State Fish:Muskellunge
State Flower:Wood Violet
State Fossil:Trilobite
State Grain:Corn
State Insect:Honeybee
State Motto:Forward
State Song:"On Wisconsin"
State Tree:Sugar Maple
State Mineral:Galena (Lead sulphide)
State Rock:Red Granite
State Soil:Antigo Silt Loam
State Dance:Polka
State Symbol of Peace:Mourning Dove

Education

Colleges and universities

File:Stamp-us-wisconsin-statehood.jpg
Wisconsin became a state in 1848

Professional sports teams

Miscellaneous information

  United States

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