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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
Snyder's budget provides more for schools, police and roads
Feb 10, 2012 5:12 am
Lansing — Gov. Rick Snyder unveiled his second budget Thursday that includes a modest 2.4 percent overall increase and more money for schools, public safety and transportation.
Waterford excavating firm rescues puppy from Detroit drain pipe
Feb 10, 2012 5:07 am
Detroit — Talk about a narrow escape. A probing puppy was safely rescued Thursday after spending more than 12 hours stuck in a drain on the city's west side.
Critics: Education funding is only 'bare minimum'
Feb 10, 2012 5:00 am
Initial reaction to Gov. Rick Snyder's budget proposal was generally positive — mostly because Michigan is in better financial shape than it was 12 months ago.
Detroit financial review team halts meetings
Feb 10, 2012 5:00 am
Detroit — The state-appointed team reviewing Detroit's finances has halted its meetings as it awaits a hearing next week on whether its activities violate Michigan's Open M...
Group forms PAC to recall Troy mayor
Feb 10, 2012 5:00 am
Troy — A grass-roots group has formed a political action committee to raise funds for a planned recall effort against Mayor Janice Daniels.
Stalled train blocks off east side Detroit neighborhood
Feb 10, 2012 5:00 am
Detroit — Edith Floyd feared the day her east side neighborhood would be cut off. Sandwiched between several railroads and a closed eastbound McNichols Road east of Van Dyke, Floyd and other...
Ficano faces state probe of Medicaid spending by county
Feb 10, 2012 5:00 am
Detroit — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is investigating Wayne County for Medicaid fraud, adding another layer to the probe of Executive Robert Ficano's administration.
Michigan's recovery school district needs $24M from donors by fall
Feb 10, 2012 5:00 am
The state's Education Achievement Authority will need $24.7 million for start-up costs that include administrative salaries, technology for students and classrooms, and paying for a summer academy for...
Briefs: Coyote spotted; area schools placed on alert
Feb 10, 2012 5:00 am
A police officer on patrol spotted a coyote Wednesday night on Tyrone near Bournemouth. The animal was last seen running into Salter Park. As a precaution, the schools in the area were placed on alert...
In today's e-Edition of The Detroit News
Feb 10, 2012 5:00 am
Christine Beatty, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's chief of staff, is paying $500 a month toward $100,000 in restitution while he is paying $160 toward $1 million. #1
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