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Travel & Geography > The States & Territories
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| The States & Territories
The Regions of the United States | Facts & Statistics

Wisconsin, the "Badger State"
Abbreviation:
WI

Wisconsin Flag
State Flag
Wisconsin Seal
State Seal

The state's name is an English version of a French adaptation of an Indian name said to mean "the place where we live." In 1634, Frenchman Jean Nicolet became Wisconsin's first European explorer. The French controlled the area until 1763, when it was ceded to the British. In 1848, Wisconsin was admitted as the 30th state. Wisconsin's natural beauty has made the state a favorite playground of the nation. Vacationers enjoy the state's clean lakes, rolling hills, quiet valleys, deep forests and cool, pine-scented breezes. The winters are ideal for skating, skiing, snowmobiling and tobogganing. Many communities stage curling matches during the winter and others hold snowmobile derbies. Many annual events celebrate the state's rich ethnic heritage and diversity. With the nickname "America's Dairyland," it's no surprise that Wisconsin is first in the country in the production of milk, cheese, and butter. In fact, the loyal fans of the Green Bay Packers football team call themselves "cheeseheads." Milwaukee, the state's largest city, helps make Wisconsin one of the largest manufacturing states in the nation.

Der Name des Staates ist eine englische Version einer französichen Übernahme einer indianischen Bezeichnung, die "Ort wo wir leben" bedeuten sollte. Im Jahr 1634 war der Franzose Jean Nicolet der erste europäische Entdecker der Region Wisconsin. Die Franzosen kontrollierten das Gebiet bis es 1763 an die Briten übergeben wurde. 1848 wurde Wisconsin der 30. Bundesstaat. Dank seiner Naturschönheit ist Wisconsin eine beliebte Urlaubsregion. Urlauber genießen die sauberen Seen, sanften Hügelketten, die tiefen Wälder und die erfrischende Luft mit ihrem Kiefernduft. Wanderer können gewundenen Pfaden durch dunkle, wunderschöne Wälder folgen. Die Winter in Wisconsin sind ideal für Eislauf, Skifahren, Snowmobilfahren und Rodeln. Viele Gemeinden in Wisconsin veranstalten im Winter Curling Wettbewerbe oder Snowmobil-Rennen. Viele Veranstaltungen feiern das reiche ethnische Erbe und die Vielfalt des Bundesstaates. Bei dem Spitznamen "America's Dairyland" ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass Wisconsin in der Produktion von Milch, Käse, und Butter an erster Stelle steht. Die Fans des Green Bay Packers Football Team nennen sich selber "cheeseheads" (Käseköpfe). Milwaukee, die größte Stadt des Staates, macht Wisconsin in Amerika zu einem der führenden Staaten in der Herstellung.

GOVERNMENT
Capital:
Madison
Governor: Jim Doyle, D (to Jan. 2011)
Senators: Russell D. Feingold, D (to Jan. 2011); Herbert Kohl, D (to Jan. 2013)
House of Representatives: 8 districts | Search by zip code

STATISTICS
Population (July 2005):
5,536,000; National Rank: 20; Percent change since April 2000: 3.2%
Land Area: 54,314 sq mi. (140,673 sq km); National Rank:
23
10 largest cities (2005 est.):
Milwaukee, 578,887; Madison, 221,551; Green Bay, 101,203; Kenosha, 95,240; Racine, 79,392; Appleton, 70,217; Waukesha, 67,658; Oshkosh, 63,485; Eau Claire, 62,570; Janesville, 61,962

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2005 est. (billions of current dollars): 217.5
Per Capita Personal Income 2005:
$33,565; National Rank: 21
State Exports 2005 (millions of dollars):
$14,924; National Rank: 18
Agriculture: Cheese, dairy products, cattle, hogs, vegetables, corn, cranberries.
Industry: Machinery, food processing, paper products, electric equipment, fabricated metal products, tourism.

Government
·
State of Wisconsin Official Homepage
· Project VoteSmart
· State and Local Government on the Internet

Economy
· Wisconsin - Regional Accounts Data

Statistics
·
Wisconsin Profile - Fedstats
·
U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Data for the State of Wisconsin
·
U.S. Census Bureau: State Data Centers: Wisconsin

Background
· 50States.com
·
InfoPlease
· State Profiles (Factmonster.com)
·
State Symbols
· Wikipedia.de: Wisconsin

 

Travel
· State of Wisconsin Tourist Office
· Map (MapQuest)
· State of Wisconsin: Parks and Recreation

For High School Students
·
ClassBrain.com: State Report
·
Explore the States
· Stately Knowledge
·
Wisconsin's Kids Corner

Teacher Resources

· ProTeacher: Lessons by State: Wisconsin

Links
· GovEngine.com: Federal, State & Local Government Site
· Wisconsin (Google)
· Wisconsin (Yahoo)

 
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
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Updated: May 2008