Wisconsin Blank Map

Wisconsin

The state of Wisconsin is carved in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The landmass is bounded by the presence of Minnesota in the west, Iowa in the southwest, Illinois in the south, Lake Michigan in the east, Michigan in the northeast, and Lake Superior in the north. The region ranks at the 23rd spot in the list of the largest states of the US in terms of their area.

Most of the population that occupy the state resides in the cities of Milwaukee and Madison. The other major centers that are integral to the functioning of the province include Kenosha, Racine, and Eau Claire. The common names of the region that is popular among the masses include “Badger State” and “America’s Dairyland.” The latter term became inherent due to the popularity of the Wisconsin-based cheese in the American market.

The province is also home to an UNESCO site whose construction can be credited to the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Apart from this, the other major popular attractions of the region include The House on the Rock, Milwaukee County Zoo, Lake Geneva, Kettle Moraine State Forest, and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

History

The first inhabitants made their presence known from around 10000 BCE. They were the Paleo Indians who focused on hunting animals such as Boaz mastodon to sustain themselves. Out of these tribes that initially inhabited the territory, only four of them live to the present day and are survived by their younger generations. These include the tribes such as the Ojibwa, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, and Potawatomi.

Times transformed during 1500-1000 BCE, when the Mississipians and the Oneta people fortified their own settlements at Azaltan in the southeast region of the territory. Canoeing led to the first European expedition that finally found its destination at Wisconsin. The French explorer Jean Nicolet reached the Green Bay at Red Banks to become one of the known explorers to have charted the landmass. The territory remained under French control till the year 1763, after which it was ceded to the nation of the United States, following the Peace of Paris treaty in 1783. The landmass saw an influx of people arriving into the territory following the establishment of prosperous agriculture and mining networks, with the mining of iron ore being an influential activity by directly impacting the economy.

It was on May 29, 1848, that Wisconsin finally was addressed as a state and became the 30th constituent state of the US, primarily due to its growing population. Post this period, the dairy industry became a mass producer and was predominant in most of the southern regions of the state. There was also a pursuit of industrialization and reconstruction activities, which led to large-scale exploitation of timber resources.

The period of political unrest and mass dissent accompanied a need for revolutionization in the arena of politics as well as the need to introduce reforms for the betterment of society, which became very apparent. This led to the coming up of the Progressive movement, which was an effort to combine the state’s infrastructure and the ideas of the people to bring about an advancement in society.

Culture

The culture and ethnic identity of the state are influenced by the traditions of the indigenous communities, the way of life of the Americans, and are also reflective of the culture and practices of the migrants who have settled down in the territory. The popularization of the name “America’s Dairyland” came about with the emphasis on dairy farming as well as production of dairy products as a part of the primary product that could aid in the upliftment of the economy. Along with this, rubber cheese wedge hats are often worn by the Wisconsinites at important sporting events. Outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing also form integral parts of the lives of the residents of this state.

The region also stands out to be heavily integrative of German as well as Scandinavian culture, due to its links to the two nations in the era of European settlements. This is particularly visible through its cuisine, especially in terms of food items like bratwurst and kringle.

Owing to the former factor, the cuisine of the state is heavily influenced by cheese as well as other dairy products. The popular dishes that form a part of the menu include cheese bread, fish fry, beer cheese soup, potato pancakes, and french fries served as sides. The inhabitants of the state are known for having a sweet tooth, which is indicated in the use of maple syrup in a variety of their dishes. Kringle and donuts form the popular desserts that are consumed by the denizens. Cranberries and ginseng also form important components of the meals of Wisconsinites.

Drinking has also been considered an important part of the culture, with the state ranking extremely high in terms of its per capita alcohol consumption within the United States. This habit is often associated with the colder experiences of climate, a German identification and recognition of traditions, as well as the presence of a large list of breweries in Milwaukee. The presence of these breweries also earned Milwaukee the epithet of “Brew City.”

Ethnic festivities bring people together, and their culture is presented in the grandest of manners through such activities. Some of these festivals include Summerfest, Oktoberfest, Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, Polka Days, Cheese Days, Arab Fest, and Wisconsin Highland Games.

Milwaukee also stands strong as an arts center that is home to various theaters and performing arts organizations such as Magin Art Gallery, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Madison’s Overture Centre for the Arts.

Language

English turns out to be the official language as well as the most widely spoken language of the state, with approximately 94% of the people speaking it as their primary language. The presence of the Hispanic population in cities like Milwaukee and Madison makes Spanish the second most pursued language in the state. Apart from this, the other languages that are spoken by the people include German, French, Chinese, Polish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish.

Geography

Diverse geographical features constitute the landmass of Winsconsin, which comprises lowland regions, northern highlands, the Central Plain, eastern ridges and lowlands, and western uplands. These different regions gained their classification on the basis of differing rates of glaciation experienced by them.

Out of the total area of 169,640 km2, approximately 17% of it is composed of water resources, primarily Lake Michigan and Superior. The state’s location as being surmounted by the Great Lakes and Mississippi River, provides it with a wide variety of geographical features. Almost home to a number of rivers as well as almost 15000 lakes, the state is marked by the presence of abundant water resources. The largest of them is an inland lake, which also finds itself christened as Lake Winnebago.

A humid continental climate aptly defines the pattern of weather conditions that exist throughout the year. The average annual precipitation centers around the range of 710 mm to 860 mm. The state also receives heavy snowfall during the winter months, with some regions receiving almost 410 cm of snow annually, especially the regions near Lake Superior snowbelt.

Apart from being a dairy state, the other crops that are produced include corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, carrots, peas, apples, and strawberries. This is in turn supported by the favorable climatic conditions and the presence of nutrient-rich soils.

The location is ideal for mining activities that serve as an important component of the economy. The presence of iron ore, copper, and limestone makes it a viable counterpart of the iron and steel, aluminum, and cement industries. The region has also made its own advancements in the field of sand mining through the process of hydraulic fracturing.

FAQs

Q1: What are some of the popular tourist attractions that can be visited all year round in the state?

Some of the popular attractions include Wisconsin Dells, Door County, the Harley- Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, and the Apostle Islands near Lake Superior.

Q2: What are the state symbols of Wisconsin?

The American robin is regarded as the state bird, the state flower is wood violet, the state tree stands tall in the form of sugar maple, the state animal is badger which also provides the territory with the nickname of the Badger state, Polka dance is regarded as the state dance and the state song is “On, Wisconsin.”

Q3: What are some of the popular outdoor activities that can be pursued while visiting the state?

The state offers an opportunity to give a knack to the adventurous spirit and allows the pursuit of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, boating, skiing and snowmobiling.

Q4: What are the historical events that shaped the face of the state?

Significant events that color the pages of history include the foundation of the Wisconsin Territory, the cultural impacts and the traditions of the indigenous tribes such as Ojibwee and Menominee, and the impact of anti slavery laws in the state.

Q5: What are some of the nationally recognized areas for the preservation of nature and wildlife?

The Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area, Devil’s Lake State Park, Wyalusing State Park and Kettle Moraine State Forest serve as areas that offer a site and resources for the preservation of flora and fauna in their pristine form.