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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
Santorum's sudden rise raises status of Michigan primary
Feb 9, 2012 5:12 am
Emboldened by three victories Tuesday, former Sen. Rick Santorum now seeks to usurp Mitt Romney in his native state by bringing momentum and a manufacturing revival message to Michigan.
Salvation Army drive raises record $8.2M
Feb 9, 2012 5:07 am
Detroit — The Salvation Army announced Wednesday it raised a record $8.2 million during its holiday Red Kettle Campaign in Metro Detroit.
Michigan, Pennsylvania put limits on families seeking food aid
Feb 9, 2012 5:00 am
Howell — The 2010 Buick Enclave parked in her garage kept Michigan resident Renee Moore from getting food stamps for two months last year, even though her family's income had droppe...
New, quicker screening program expands to more airports
Feb 9, 2012 5:00 am
Washington — A new passenger screening program to make check-in more convenient for certain travelers is being expanded to 28 more major U.S. airports, the government said Wednesday.
Meeting debates class use of 'vulgar' book
Feb 9, 2012 5:00 am
Plymouth— Two parents of a Plymouth-Canton high school student made their case Wednesday night for banning a controversial novel from district classrooms, arguing that the work is "vulg...
Hackel, Macomb board in power struggle
Feb 9, 2012 5:00 am
Mount Clemens — Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said he has vetoed a contracting policy and a procurement ordinance written and adopted by the county's board of commissioners la...
DPS to close 16 schools, offer 4 others for charters
Feb 9, 2012 5:00 am
Saying Detroit Public Schools must discard its outdated educational model to lead the city's comeback, district officials announced plans Wednesday to close 16 schools and offer four others a...
Oakland County Executive Patterson touts budget surplus, jobs in speech
Feb 9, 2012 5:00 am
Pontiac — Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson touted economic development efforts, a budget surplus and technology initiatives in his'th annual State of the County address ...
Briefs: Pastor Jones to return to protest at mosque
Feb 9, 2012 5:00 am
Controversial Florida Pastor Terry Jones is making his way back to Metro Detroit. He plans to demonstrate April 7 in front of the Islamic Center of America on Ford Road.
CMU medical school, to open in '13, takes accreditation step
Feb 9, 2012 5:00 am
Mount Pleasant — Central Michigan University has received accreditation for the new medical school that is set to receive its first class of future doctors next year, officials announced Wed...
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