Active Lifestyles
Detroit Metro and "The Thumb"
- Michigan
- Western Michigan
- Southern Michigan
- Central Michigan
- Northern Michigan
- Upper Peninsula - Michigan
Area Info
Detroit is one of the biggest and most important of American cities, as well as one of the oldest in the Midwest. It was founded in 1701 by the French (its name, short for "la Ville d'Etroit," means "City at the Straits") at the strategic waterway connecting Lakes Huron and Erie. By 1910, it had moved onto the list of top ten largest cities; by 1920, it was 4th, propelled to prominence by its port, its steel mills, and the new automobile industry. Detroit reached its greatest population—1,849,568—in 1960; but since then has shrunk to half its former size, the only American city to reach over a million in population and then drop below a million.
Still, it continues to dominate its region, and remains an important economic and cultural center. Detroit is renowned for its incredibly diverse ethnic makeup. Most famously, it's the home of the Motown Sound, created by the influx of black Americans who moved to the region in its days of industrial dominance. That economy also attracted large numbers of Poles, who populated the Hamtramck area. Detroit also has one of the largest Middle Eastern populations in the U.S.
To the north, on the other hand, "The Thumb" is another world entirely. Much of it is rural and agricultural, characterized by rolling hills and small towns, by 90 miles of Lake Huron shoreline with fine beaches and picturesque lighthouses, and acre upon acre of crops and pastures. The largest urban areas—Care, Bad Axe, and Sandusky—muster barely 10,000 people among them.
Articles
Metro and State News for Michigan from detnews.com
Vanguard, DMC announce sale, $850M investment
Mar 19, 2010 8:07 pm
Detroit -- A Tennessee-based for-profit health system intends to take over the Detroit Medical Center's $417 million in debt and other obligations and spend close to a billion dollars to upgr...
Gov. candidates Hoekstra, Dillon find common ground on term limits, taxes
Mar 19, 2010 7:37 pm
Two of the apparent early leaders running for Michigan governor, Democrat Andy Dillon and Republican Pete Hoekstra, agreed today that term limits are hurting political relationships in Lansing, it doe...
Charges authorized for couple who left toddler at restaurant
Mar 19, 2010 7:12 pm
The Macomb County Prosecutor's office announced charges today for a Warren couple accused of leaving their toddler at Caesarland after his birthday party on Saturday.
Prosecutors to offer Riddle deal in domestic violence case
Mar 19, 2010 6:22 pm
Prosecutors said they plan to extend an offer to political consultant Sam Riddle in his domestic violence case.
U.S. Supreme Court revisiting carp issue
Mar 19, 2010 6:07 pm
Washington -- The Supreme Court is expected to decide today whether it'll take up Michigan's request to immediately close a series of Chicago-area locks that connect the Mississippi ...
Metro Detroiters get a taste of spring
Mar 19, 2010 5:47 pm
It was smiles and sunshine Thursday in Metro Detroit as temperatures soared to the high 60s for the first time in four months. People in Metro Detroit can expect more of the same today with highs arou...
Warren mayor calls for pay cuts in State of City address
Mar 19, 2010 5:47 pm
Mayor Jim Fouts announced a series of steps Thursday aimed at heading off financial trouble, including a plea for wage concessions from the city's unionized employees.
Last text message lawyer faces misconduct hearing
Mar 19, 2010 4:47 pm
Detroit -- A hearing began today for the last of five lawyers accused of ethical misconduct in the handling of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's infamous text messages.
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