Geography of Michigan

Michigan's geography is defined by one thing above all else: water. No state in America is more shaped by its relationship with freshwater. Two peninsulas, four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, and 36,000 miles of rivers create a landscape unlike any other.

The Two Peninsulas: Michigan is divided into the Lower Peninsula (LP) and the Upper Peninsula (UP), connected by the five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge. The LP is shaped like a mitten — Michiganders literally use their hand to point to where they live. The UP is a vast, sparsely populated wilderness bordered by Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron.

Great Lakes: Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes. Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, borders the UP's northern shore. Lake Michigan defines the entire western coast. Lake Huron wraps around the east, and Lake Erie touches the southeast corner. The state has 3,288 miles of Great Lakes coastline — the longest freshwater coastline in the world.

Inland Lakes: With over 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan has more than any state except Alaska. Houghton Lake is the largest inland lake in the LP. Torch Lake, Crystal Lake, and Glen Lake are famous for their exceptional clarity and Caribbean-like color.

Rivers: The Au Sable, Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Sturgeon rivers are nationally renowned for fly fishing. The Grand River is the longest in the state at 252 miles.

Terrain: The LP is generally flat to gently rolling — shaped by glaciers during the last Ice Age. The terrain becomes hillier in the northwest (Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties) and in the highlands near Gaylord. The UP is more rugged, with the Porcupine Mountains and Huron Mountains providing the state's highest elevations.

Sand Dunes: Michigan has the most extensive freshwater dune system in the world. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Silver Lake, and Warren Dunes are the most famous. Perched dunes — sitting atop bluffs above the lake — can reach 450 feet above water level.

Islands: Michigan has over 100 islands. Mackinac Island and Isle Royale are the most famous. The Beaver Island archipelago in Lake Michigan has a fascinating history as a 19th-century Mormon kingdom.

Borders: Michigan shares an international border with Ontario, Canada — connected by the Ambassador Bridge and the Blue Water Bridge. It also borders Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio.

Michigan's geography created its identity: a water-surrounded, glacier-carved, dune-lined, forest-covered paradise.