The lower peninsula of Michigan is bordered by the Great Lakes and states of Ohio and Indiana. It is often nicknamed "The Mitten" due to its shape. The peninsula is divided into 5 regions: Northern Michigan, West Michigan, Mid-Michigan, Flint/Tri-Cities, and Southeast Michigan. Southeast Michigan contains over half of the state's population and is home to the state's largest city, Detroit.

1. Michigan Geography Lower Peninsula

2. General Geography Bodies of water (The Great Lakes) border the lower peninsula States of Ohio & Indiana border the southern state line

3. General Geography Cont. Often known as “The Mitten” “The L.P.” “Below the Bridge”

4. The 5 Regions:

5. What Determines a Region Geographic Placement Vegetation Population Agriculture

6. Northern Michigan Small to medium size cities Large portion of Great Lakes shoreline

7. Northern Michigan Cont. Tourism is the main industry Frequently know to seasonal residents as “Up North”

8. Tahquamenon Falls State Park Northern Michigan Cont. State & National Forests

9. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Northern Michigan Cont. State & National Forests

10. West Michigan Examples of different types of areas in the West: Muskegon (North) Grand Rapids (Northwest) Kalamazoo/Battle Creek (South West)

11. West Michigan Cont. Boundaries are questionable and uncertain Population density, land use, economic, & cultural characteristics (primarily Southwest)

12. West Michigan Cont. Famous Fruit Ridge

13. Mid-Michigan Cont. Economy: Primarily agricultural (corn, beets, soy beans) Some automobile manufacturing

14. Mid-Michigan Sub region: Southern MI Mainly farmland Moderate size cities Home to our State Capitol

15. Flint/Tri-Cities Region 2 sub regions: The Thumb & Greater Tri-Cities Home to Flint 5th largest city in MI

16. Cont. Many lakes & rivers Economy is dependent on manufacturing

18. Dow Chemical Company

19. Delphi Corporation Flint/Tri-Cities Region Cont. Large Corporations

20. Southeast Michigan Majority of state businesses & industries Over half of the states population

21. Cont. Home of Detroit State’s largest city

22. Biography & Credits Armburst, “Lower Michigan Region Map,” February 7, 2011, GNU Free Documentation License Endico, Dawn, “Upper Tahquamenon Falls,” October 7, 1991, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Abderhalden, Erik, “Porcupine Mountains,” April 23, 2006, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Kramer, “Michigan Countryside,” May 2008, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Drury, Patricia, “Detroit Renaissance Center,” March 22, 2009, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Microsoft Clip Art