Where is Michigan Located in the United States?
Michigan is a state located in the Upper Midwest of the United States, bordered by four of the five Great Lakes and boasting a diverse landscape that ranges from dense forests to sprawling lakeshores. It is split into two peninsulas—the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula—connected by the famous Mackinac Bridge. The state’s location and proximity to water have shaped its economy, history, and culture.
State Name: Michigan
Postal Abbreviation: MI
Population: 10.12 million (2023 estimate)
Area: 96,716 square miles (including land and water)
Capital: Lansing
Largest City: Detroit
Statehood Year: 1837 (26th state)
Time Zones: Eastern Time Zone (majority) and Central Time Zone (western Upper Peninsula)
Bordering States of Michigan
Ohio
Ohio borders Michigan to the south, with Toledo being the largest nearby city. This border has historical significance, especially due to the “Toledo War,” a territorial dispute between the two states in the early 19th century. Today, both states share strong economic and cultural ties.
Indiana
Michigan shares a southwestern border with Indiana. The boundary runs primarily between Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and Indiana’s northern regions. Major highways connect the two, fostering trade and travel. Cities like South Bend, Indiana, are close to Michigan’s border and contribute to interstate relations.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin lies directly to the west of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, separated by the Menominee River along part of the border. These two states share similar landscapes, featuring forests, lakes, and agricultural areas. The cities of Marinette, Wisconsin, and Menominee, Michigan, demonstrate the close ties between the two regions.
Illinois (via water)
Although Michigan does not share a direct land border with Illinois, the two are connected via Lake Michigan. Chicago, Illinois, is a major economic hub with significant connections to Michigan, particularly Detroit. The proximity across Lake Michigan enables strong trade and travel routes between these two important Midwestern regions.
GPS Coordinates of Michigan
Michigan’s geographical location is marked by distinct GPS coordinates that define its borders and the spatial diversity of its two peninsulas. The state spans a vast area and is located in the northern part of the United States, close to the Canadian border. The general GPS coordinates for Michigan are approximately 45.25° N latitude and 85.5° W longitude.
- Lower Peninsula Coordinates: The Lower Peninsula, which is often shaped like a mitten, stretches across latitudes from around 41.6961° N at its southernmost point to 45.3059° N at its northern tip, excluding the islands. In terms of longitude, the peninsula extends from 82.4194° W in the east near Lake Erie to around 87.0735° W near the Lake Michigan shore.
- Upper Peninsula Coordinates: The Upper Peninsula is much less populated but covers significant geographic area. It lies between 45.0319° N to 47.4662° N latitude, and it spans from 83.5915° W to 90.4182° W longitude. The Mackinac Bridge marks the separation between the two peninsulas, connecting the Lower Peninsula’s northern point to the southern tip of the Upper Peninsula.
These GPS coordinates help define Michigan’s landscape, which is characterized by over 3,000 miles of shoreline due to its position amidst the Great Lakes. Michigan’s strategic northern latitude gives it four distinct seasons, with cold winters and moderate summers in most areas.
Levels of Elevation in Michigan
Michigan’s elevation varies significantly due to its peninsular structure and diverse landscape. The state’s highest point is Mount Arvon in the Upper Peninsula, which stands at 1,979 feet (603 meters) above sea level. This region, particularly around the Huron Mountains, features rugged terrain with notable elevation differences.
- Lowest Elevation: Michigan’s lowest point is found at the shore of Lake Erie, at approximately 571 feet (174 meters) above sea level. This is the state’s southeastern corner, where the landscape is flatter and more dominated by agricultural land.
- Upper Peninsula Elevation: The Upper Peninsula, with its proximity to Lake Superior and vast forested areas, features much more rugged terrain compared to the Lower Peninsula. The Porcupine Mountains and other hilly regions showcase considerable elevation changes. The region’s hilly landscape makes it ideal for hiking and outdoor activities.
- Lower Peninsula Elevation: The Lower Peninsula is mostly flat with rolling hills, especially in the southern and central regions. While it doesn’t have the high peaks found in the Upper Peninsula, some parts of northern Lower Michigan around Cadillac and Gaylord do reach modest elevations, around 1,700 feet (520 meters).
Most Extreme Points of Michigan
Michigan’s vast geography includes extreme points that span its two peninsulas and thousands of islands, some of which represent the most northern, southern, eastern, and western parts of the state.
- Easternmost Point: The easternmost town in Michigan is Port Huron, which lies on the shores of Lake Huron and is adjacent to the Canadian border at 42.9981° N, 82.4266° W. The Blue Water Bridge connects Port Huron with Ontario, Canada, making it a key crossing point.
- Westernmost Point: The westernmost city in Michigan is Ironwood, located in the far west of the Upper Peninsula at 46.4534° N, 90.1716° W. Ironwood is near the Wisconsin border and close to the Montreal River, a natural dividing line between the two states.
- Northernmost Point: Michigan’s northernmost point is found at Isle Royale, an island in Lake Superior at 48.1125° N, 88.4917° W. Though unpopulated except for seasonal park rangers and visitors, this national park island is the furthest north of any land in Michigan.
- Southernmost Point: The southernmost city in Michigan is Morenci, located at 41.6985° N, 84.2161° W near the Ohio border. This small town is situated in a rural part of the state and is mainly known for its agricultural surroundings.
Major Mountains in Michigan
While Michigan isn’t known for towering mountain ranges like other parts of the United States, it does feature notable highlands and ranges, particularly in the Upper Peninsula.
- Mount Arvon: As Michigan’s highest point at 1,979 feet, Mount Arvon is located in the Huron Mountains of the Upper Peninsula. These hills are covered in dense forest, offering rugged hiking terrain and scenic views over nearby Lake Superior.
- Porcupine Mountains: Also known as the “Porkies,” the Porcupine Mountains are a small range located along Lake Superior’s shoreline in the Upper Peninsula. The area is preserved as Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which contains some of the oldest forest in the region. The highest peak here, Summit Peak, reaches 1,958 feet.
- Huron Mountains: In addition to Mount Arvon, the Huron Mountains feature many other elevated areas. Though not as tall as other ranges, the Huron Mountains are a wilderness area that remains largely undeveloped, offering hiking and natural exploration opportunities.
- Thunder Bay Hill: In the Lower Peninsula, Thunder Bay Hill rises near Alpena. Although not as significant as the Upper Peninsula’s mountains, it represents one of the highest points in the Lower Peninsula.
Major Rivers and Lakes in Michigan
Michigan’s abundance of water, due to its proximity to the Great Lakes, gives the state a vast network of rivers and lakes, crucial for its ecology and economy.
- Detroit River: Connecting Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie, the Detroit River is an important waterway for trade, especially between Michigan and Canada. The river serves as a major shipping route and supports a diverse range of wildlife.
- Grand River: The Grand River is Michigan’s longest river, stretching for about 252 miles. It flows westward through the city of Grand Rapids before emptying into Lake Michigan. This river has historical significance, as it was once a vital route for Native Americans and fur traders.
- St. Clair River: The St. Clair River flows from Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair, forming part of the international boundary with Canada. It’s one of the busiest waterways in North America, facilitating the passage of ships and cargo between the Great Lakes.
- Lake Michigan: One of the largest Great Lakes, Lake Michigan borders Michigan to the west, providing the state with beautiful sandy beaches, especially along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The lake is vital for tourism, shipping, and recreational activities.
- Lake Huron: To the east, Lake Huron touches Michigan, with its coastline dotted by harbors, islands, and quaint towns. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes and is home to Mackinac Island, a popular tourist destination.
- Lake Superior: The largest and deepest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior borders Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Its cold, pristine waters are home to diverse fish species and shipwrecks, making it both an economic and recreational hub.
Michigan’s waterways, including the Great Lakes and numerous rivers, have been integral to the state’s development, supporting trade, industry, and recreational activities.