Most Northern Southern Eastern and Western States of America (Eastern is Alaska) (Western is Alaska) If you note the map, Alaska is clearly the most northern state, and Hawaii, at 20º North, is without doubt the most southern state. (Note how much further south it is than Florida) As far as the most western state, note how Alaska's Aleutian Islands stretch right up to the edge of the Western Hemisphere at the 180º line of Longitude, thus the most western state in the country. Alaska is also the answer for eastern, as the Aleutian Islands stretch across the 180º line of Longitude, into the Eastern Hemisphere, and up the edge of the Russian Federation.

If you exclude Alaska and Hawaii, the answers are: Most Northern Point: Angle, Minnesota, at 49º 23'N Most Southern Point: East Cape, Florida, at 25º 7'N Most Eastern Point: West Quoddy Head, Maine, at 66º 57'W Most Western Point: Cape Alva, Washington, at 124º 44'W The Longest Islands in the United States - Peakbagger.com Peakbagger.com Log In The "Longest" Islands in the United States Whidbey Island in Washington state is always calling itself the "longest island in the United States", or "the longest island in the continental United States", or, sometimes, "the longest saltwater-surrounded island in the continental United States". This phrase and its variations are so often repeated that most Washingtonians repeat it as if it were gospel. However, these claims are totally unsupportable, as the following table shows. It shows all islands in the U.S. over 40 miles long. Length is a subjective concept, and the lengths given are approximate. If an island is long, narrow, and straight, length is easy to determine.

For rounded islands, the longest possible distance between opposite shores was used. For bent or crooked islands, like Whidbey, length was calculated by drawing a bent line along the island's main axis from end to end. Thus, Whidbey's length in the following chart could be considered a liberal estimate, since a straight line across it would result in a lower number. 21 of the 29 islands on the following chart are in Alaska, and 3 more are in Hawaii. Technically, Alaska actually is "continental", but even if the more correct term "contiguous United States" is used to describe the "lower 48", Whidbey Island still ranks only 5th in length. Adding "surrounded by saltwater" to the criteria only excludes Isle Royale. If hurricanes were to chop up Padre and Hatteras Islands by cutting channels through their narrow, sandy widths, that would still leave Long Island, almost three times longer than Whidbey, at the top of the chart. No reasonable condition can be applied to the process that would eliminate Long Island but not Whidbey.

Both are connected by bridges to the mainland, and Deception Pass is just as narrow and salty as the East River. It is true that there are two bridges connecting Long Island to the mainland, and that the only bridge connecting Whidbey first passes over another island, Fidalgo. However, that is counterbalanced by Long Island being far more out into the ocean than Whidbey Island, trapped far inland in Puget Sound. Long Island Sound is far wider than Possesion Sound, too. One superlative remains: Whidbey Island is indeed the longest island on the Pacific coast of the contiguous United States. This is mainly due to lack of competition from the almost island-free coasts of California and Oregon, though. Rank What actually determines "Northern" Michigan? “Is Traverse City really “going up north”?” Technically if you coming from South of it- Yes, it would be…lol Jen Ismirle Jun 30, 2008 I was just about to say that . . . heh.

Personally, I’m sorta annoyed by the use of the phrase “going up north” cause when a lot of people I know use it, it simply means going an hour or two to the north to go to a lake or something. To me, the phrase sounds much more pronounced, like they should be going much further, like to the U.P. But us Southerners apparently say “going up north” when we’re going to the north of the L.P., and actually say we’re going to the faraway land called the U.P. when we’re going to cross the bridge . . . and go to Mackinac Island. Byron Sailor I love the article, a great read. I visit downstate quite a bit and people get very confused about this ‘up north’ thing. The biggest thing that bugs me though: Houghton is -not- Houghton Lakes! Brittany Jul 8, 2008 I am from the UP and I will say “north” is over the bridge, in the upper peninsula. It’s not about longitude/latitude, its about lifestyle. I also go to central michigan university- and will say, its not central if you consider the whole state.

its only central of the lower peninsula. I really think that lower michigan just hates the UP and we should become our own state. =) But, please, tourists and other uninformed individuals- we have running water/electricity/etc. But, if ever in escanaba, stop as Saykllys for some candy and gifts and tourist items! Chuck It’s not that we hate the U P, it’s just that we forget about our other peninsula. Mitchell Treadwell Jul 10, 2008 Actually, the whole “up north” idea has more to do with population than geography. By far most of the residents of Michigan live south of Clare (with more than a third in greater Metro Detroit), and the UP has (relatively) few people. Also, the phrase “where the North begins” implies something of a directional reference. “North” is thus considered to be a region that may not be where the person reading it is from.

Accounting for the fact that most of the visitors to the area north of Clare (and therefore the people who would be traveling long distances by car) would come from Southern Michigan or beyond (such as Ohio, Indiana, or Chicago), they would be reaching the “Northern” part of the state at about Clare, this being the part of the state with a lower population density and a greater variety of recreational opportunities. Also, as public universities draw people from predominantly across their home state, their names (Like Eastern, Western, and Central) are meant to designate what would be that part of the state in terms of population, which (as you remember) is concentrated in the South. Thus, Kalamazoo would be considered “Western” to most of the people in Michigan, Ypsilanti is “Eastern”, and Mount Pleasant is “Central”. In fact, substantially more people live south of Mount Pleasant than North of it. However, if you consider population density and distance to be roughly inversely proportional (as people have to go farther where they are fewer), CMU can be generally viewed as “Central” for most of the state’s residents.

The map above (dividing the state into Northern, Central, and Southern) places the southern part of the Western UP (including Menominee in the “Central” region. I’ve never heard of anyone from ANY part of the Upper Peninsula consider Menominee to be “central” in ANY sense, as it distinctly fits in with the geographic, social, and cultural elements that define the UP as Michigan’s “Northern Frontier”. And finally, if you are going to divide the state into various “regions” on a map “geographically”, without giving any regard to where people LIVE, at least deal with it in terms of land area. Looking only at one measurement (latitude) to determine regions that are supposedly equivalent is short-sighted and misleading. Chris Cavalieri um who cares? why does it matter. from what ive heard, there’s northern michigan and the UP. thats how its always been. but who really cares. Nils Stenvig Jul 11, 2008 I think there is a logical explanation for the original division of Michigan’s land area as show in the first map above (of just the lower peninsula).

The Mackinac Straits once served as a geographic barrier between the upper and lower peninsulas (Mighty Mac wasn’t completed until 1957). Sure, there were ferries to haul people across the 5 mile stretch, but it can be reasonably assumed that for residents of the lower peninsula, the U.P. was much less considered a part of the state than it is now. So for a large chunk of MI history, the northern part of the L.P. was understandably considered Northern Michigan. This label could have been applied both geographically and culturally, as the area was much less populated and ‘wild’ at that time. So if you look at that first map of the L.P. and consider that the U.P. didn’t exist (which is how most trolls would have viewed it 60 yrs ago), the boundaries seem to make sense. The opening of the Mackinac Bridge has allowed much easier travel between the peninsulas. The U.P. has gradually become accepted by the L.P. as part of Michigan, although the geographic/cultural landmarks dividing the state have not shifted.

I think the label ‘Northern Michigan’ has lost its original meaning to most people (defining something far North or wild) and now simply defines a geographic area which everyone will recognize in conversation. So although these labels are long outdated, I feel it is okay to continue using them so long as nobody confuses Northern Michigan and the U.P. Personally, when someone refers to Northern Michigan I immediately think of the northern L.P. since this is the area referred to as such. Never do I consider that someone is speaking of the U.P. unless they specifically label it so. I, for one, do not wish for the U.P. to be called anything but ‘Da U.P.’ I say we let the trolls keep Northern Michigan to themselves. But if we are to divide the state up geographically, I would agree, Bugsy, with the map you invented. Where people live makes absolutely no difference in this case. And it makes much more sense to split the state into thirds based on latitude than by land area… So to answer the questions… I say Northern Michigan ends South of the bridge. I’d rather be called Da U.P. I think it is as simple as Upper Peninsula, but not as simple as Lower Peninsula.

Traverse City is going up North for anyone who lives at least 50 (or so) miles South. Clare County – “Where Norther Michigan Begins – But Not The Ash Trees.” CMU can stay right where they are… Lindsey Jul 12, 2008 Well… if you’re coming up from Detroit, then yes, Traverse City is going “up north”. However, being from Traverse City, I considered going “up North” to be going anywhere north of the bridge. It really is a matter of perspective. Stephanie Jul 12, 2008 I grew up around Clare. The village of Lake to be exact and with all the lakes around I would meet people who would call that “up north”. It always buged me because up north is across the bridge for me. When going towards the north and you hit around Clare, its true that you are farther north than you were but you are still only in Central Michigan. I currently attend CMU and students from farther down state say that they attend school up north. Which makes absolutely no sense. Its called Central Michigan for a reason. True it is located in Central Lower Michigan but still its not up north.

theresa Jul 25, 2008 I grew up in the ‘burbs (they suck) but went to school at Hillsdale, which probably constitutes the southernmost 4-year institute of higher learning in the state of Michigan (I haven’t done my research on this, though, so it could be Adrian College…either way, it’s one of the two). Anyway, the point is, at least for us anyway, when you’re all the way the hell down here (and all of an hour and a half from both Ann Arbor and K-Zoo, and an hour from even JACKSON, for chrissakes), pretty much everything past Lansing is “Far North” to us. So look at it this way: from the Hillsdale to Mt. Pleasant, it’s (roughly) a three hour drive. Then, from Mt. Pleasant to Sault Ste. Marie it’s another three hours. That’s going almost exactly north (I think they’re even on the same longitude). Basically, Mt. Pleasant is (again roughly) halfway between the two. Thus, I see no problem with dubbing the institute of higher learning in Mt. Pleasant “Central” Michigan University.

For MOST OF THE STATE, it’s fairly centrally located. Sure, maybe someone in Ironwood or Houghton might have problems getting there, but, not everything’s perfect. A lot of us trolls have problems if we really had out hearts set on going to Michigan Tech. I mean, I’m still amazed at how high the travel costs in the GLIAC must be…especially with all those Pennsylvania teams in the mix. (Even more amazing is why Hillsdale is in D-II, but that’s another problem altogether.) Maybe the greater point should be: Michigan is a big f***ing state. And that makes it the sweetest state in the union. Kickass. julien how can you forget about “the other Peninsula” if you ask me, the UP is the greatest part of Michigan…..i live in Marquette and love it. your not up north until you cross over “the bridge”. damn straight…trolls!! Meg Since your article is primary based on accuracy, I thought I’d mention that the first paragraph after the map that splits the state into thirds… says “country” when it should read “county”.

Yooper Steez Nov 13, 2008 well personally i was born and raised a yooper and i think that anyone south going north says im going up north, and i would rather be called or said to live in da UP then up north thats how its always been.. and all the trolls can just stay under the bridge and think what they want.. us yoppers need to stick together.. cause the UP is a great place.. Jer Nov 19, 2008 Now this is interesting…I was raised in Marquette, MI. I spent most of my life in the U.P. Currently, I reside in Petoskey, and people around here say they live in Northern Michigan, which is fine, but you’d be surprised how many people come from out of the area in the summer that are shocked to hear that there is much more to Michigan that is North of us. They seem to think that when you drive across the bridge you are in some foreign land. While this is not the majority, it certainly is more people than you would think, I would estimate about 20%.

I even ran into one person who asked where I was from, when I told her Marquette, she asked “Where’s that” I told her it was across the Mackinac Bridge, she replied “Oh, you’re from Canada” So, while I currently live in Northern Lower Michigan, I will never say I live in Northern Michigan, unless I move back to the U.P. Jeff Bouman Nov 22, 2008 I was born in Gaylord and Lived up here in Marquette (Harvey) since I was 1. When we go to camp from here (Harvey) To Boot Jack road (Lake Linden, Houghton, hancock) we always called it going up north! Yet we live in the upper peninsula! It’s just saying going up north! Anyone from any state says that. I think Mr. Stenvig has the right answer. I’m a true proud yooper. As anyone’s Troll friends would say besides Yoopers is, that were southern canadians. I wish we were our own state, but that could never happen.

Debbie Kennedy Jan 12, 2009 I was born and raised in Grand Rapids and the farthest North I ever made it was to Mackinaw City. My family always made a trip to cross the bridge and maybe grab a bite and head back to the L.P. In 2005, I made my very first trip to the U.P. driving West to Lake Gogebic to my best friend’s cabin on the lake. What a beautiful drive. Stopping along the way to grab some pasties and seeing some very beautiful locations. It was September and the colors were just the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Breathtaking is the word that first comes to mind. They outshined the colors I have seen in the upper portion of the L.P. I was even fortunate to go on a 3 day two night hike into the Porcupine Mountains. This was truly another amazing site. I am in my 40’s and never stepped in the waters of Lake Superior until that visit. I was truly impressed with the night sky and the way the stars seemed so close I could almost touch them.

During our stay we were able to actually see a satellite we were told would be crossing the sky during our stay. Back at the cabin our time was spent taking walks on trails around the area, sitting in the gazebo watching the boats go by and seeing and hearing for the first time the Loon. The occasional thunderstorm at night was one of my favorite highlights as well. Taking the canoe out to see more of the shoreline. It was the best 2 weeks I spent with no husband and no kids. I had the perfect tour guide as my friend has been to the cabin every year since she was born. Even today she brings her family there. Of course, there is so much more to see and now that I have had my first taste of the U.P., I will be back for more. As far as what is North, South, East and West it does not matter to me. Michigan has a Lower Peninsula and an Upper Peninsula and we should all be lucky to have such a diverse State where we can go anywhere and see the most amazing things and be able to do anything our hearts desire. I am a Troll but I wish I was a Yooper as well.

Troll Jan 24, 2009 All of us in the lower peninsula must apologize for so often forgetting the UP (or casually and purposefully omitting it as part of the state ;)). Regions are a strange thing and I’ve spent some years studying them and how they are separated and defined. It’s a personal interest, not to mention I have a degree in geography. I live in Fremont, which is technically West Michigan. Now of course, “west” doesn’t really mean west. It means southwest, because as rather accurately according to the sign in White Cloud, 14 miles northeast of me, the town is “where the north begins and the pure water flows.” It looks like the north. It feels like the north. There is a very definite cultural (as well as landscape) difference starting in that area as well, while here in Fremont, where we’re more economically connected to Muskegon and the lakeshore cities, more people go to the beach in the summer and less people are doing those winter things you all do up north. A lot of radio and TV here is from Milwaukee and oftentimes Chicago and Green Bay too.

Watching the two TV channels that we DO get from the north feels like watching something from a foreign land to me, while I listen to Milwaukee radio stations while driving to work every day without giving it a second thought. After all, they’re along the lake too and only 95 miles away, while Northern Michigan is hilly and isolated. I’ll admit it — I only go any more than 10 miles north of my town about once every 5 years, with the exception of going up to Silver Lake for the sand dunes, which I consider West Michigan and the lakeshore, not Northern Michigan. There’s no reason to go up that way. I go to Chicago 40 or 50 times for every 1 time I go up north, mostly for concerts, events, or to hang out. Usually that one time is a few days in Mackinaw City or the island, about as touristy as it gets. So I think a lot of the separation we see in regions is cultural, historical, and for the most part, largely media based. Draw a map of support for sports teams and it’s equally interesting. About half the people along the lakeshore from Muskegon to the south are Bears fans.

Go 15 or 20 miles inland and your in Lions country (although I’m not sure why they keep supporting them over there…). I bet there are a good deal of Packers fans along the shore north of Ludington and plenty of Milwaukee and Green Bay fans up in the U.P., because I’d imagine they can identify better with Green Bay than Detroit, which is an insanely long drive, despite being in the same state, and a lot of radio stations play Milwaukee NBA games, not so much Detroit. Sure makes politcal and regional boundaries seem… meaningless. Jennifer Jan 25, 2009 Northern Michigan is when you get to the north side of the bridge. Yes it is as simple as upper and lower, hello there is a body of water between the two, how much more of a seperation do you want? The only way that Traverse City is north is if you are traveling from the south. It is no way the Michigan’s description of “UP North”. What other nickname fits the town of Clare… How about “The City of Drunken Irish People” Central Michigan University fits into this because Eastern and Western were already taken.

born YOOPER now Troll Feb 18, 2009 This website is what I’ve said since I was 8 and moved south to Traverse City area. I’ve done school projects & reports on the matter. But to find the answer, you have to think like a tourist, like now I can. Many have stated the other states and down-staters in general do not even think of the U.P. it’s just to far for them to fathom. So, when they think of Michigan they think of the mitten and the other is just the panhandle of Wis. like I’ve been shown on countless news programs during this last voting race. (the UP would glow the same color as Wis and not the rest of MI.) and Kid Rocks song was about Torch Lake near Elk Rapids that I don’t believe he came to until the mid-90’s if even then maybe the 2000’s Nancy Jun 25, 2009 I live in the DC Metro area and was raised in Gwinn.

I’m so tired of hearing, when I say I’m from “Upper Michigan,” things like, “We have a cabin on Houghton Lake,” or “I go to Traverse City all the time.” Whatever! Northern Michigan is the U.P. to me, but I will let up a little and say that it’s everythig north of the 45th parallel. Sigh reading this comments makes me want to take a trip back–lots of growing up done in Michigan! Cheers! Nancy Syrjala Holwerda What is “Northern” Michigan? Anything Over Da Bridge Is it as simple as Upper and Lower Peninsula? YES Is Traverse City really “going up north”? Only if you live South of Kalamazoo What slogan would you give Clare County? Mid Michigan How does Central Michigan University fit into the picture? I’ve no Idea but it seems to fit where they are located. Erik Honnila Jun 25, 2009 North only counts when you cross the Mackinac Bridge. I am so tired of hearing the trolls say they are “Going UP NORTH” only to be heading to Houghton Lake or Traverse City.

While it IS north of Detroit or Grand Rapids, it misses the true feeling and meaning of being in the U.P. North. Anony Yooper Don’t be so sensitive about “forgetting” the U.P. exists, folks. I think that is actually a GOOD thing for us up here! Kevin Feb 16, 2010 I have a question for all of you. Where is the central hemisphere? Does the equator separate the northern and southern hemisphere? My point is if you are using directional terms to define an area, you can’t technically claim that the northern LP is central Michigan. North Michigan is any place in the North half of the state. “Northern” is a very subjective term. There is no system of breaking the state up into thirds. Northern Michigan is a region and regions can be defined by physical characteristics, human characteristics, and functional characteristics. More people live in the LP and most in the state consider the northern half of the LP to be Northern Michigan. Sorry, that’s just the way it is. To the people claiming I can’t say I’m going “up north”. Seriously, wtf am I supposed to say if I’m going north?

That’s the direction I’m heading; not south, east or west. I didn’t know the U.P. trademarked the term. Can I not say I went “down south” to Detroit because the people in Georgia might get upset? How about the Midwest? I don’t want anything to do with the Dakotas and really wish people would stop claiming that Michigan is part of the Midwest. I’m just going to change the name to Mideast so that I can feel special. Technically when people say they are going “out west”, they should mean Alaska and California should be in the Midwest. I mean really, Alaska is farther west then California. All these ignorant westerners know nothing about Alaska. I never knew yoopers could be so snobby. Grew up in Northern Michigan, went to school in the Upper Peninsula to get a Geography degree. Lisa Born and raised in Iron River. Live in Traverse City for the past 25 years. U.P. is north. Traverse City = Northern Lower MI! Trooper Feb 16, 2010 I was born a troll and moved to da U.P. (which is where I’d love to spend the rest of my life, but instead am living out of state).

From what I always understood, Northern MI was the northern Lower and da U.P. was, well da U.P.. I grew up in the thumb and my cousins would always say they were going “up north” when really they were going about an hour north of our house. I never understood this, but I think the point it is…if you’re heading north, you’d consider it “going up north”, no matter where you’re going. But, I’d agree with many others that the northern lower and the U.P. definitely have a different culture than down state. No matter what you call it, Michigan is a lot further north than where I’m living now, so I love the whole state. Keep it mean and green and just remember, it doesn’t matter where in the state you’re from, it’s all one big happy. Jim Bicigo Mar 8, 2010 If when Yoopers cross the Mackinaw bridge, they’re going down-state, shouldn’t going to the UP be going up-state? Actually, I always thought of the UP as Northern Michigan and the northern lower peninsula as just that. Either way, there is definitely a cultural difference when you cross the bridge.

Andrew Wilkinson Mar 11, 2010 Im from the Lansing area and have a cottage at Higgins Lk. I always figured that when your “Up North” is when your anywhere north of Clare. Partially because there used to be a billboard sign that read “Clare..Gateway to the North.” Plus the air starts to smell alot fresher from that point on.lol!I do smile alot harder though when I do cross the Mighty Mac! ( Smiling BIG right know just thinking about that!) lee rega This is for Chris of the UP forever remark and any other UP lifers. Have you read Joseph Heywoods “Woods Cop” mysteries. What do you think about them? Thomas Kovach Jul 9, 2010 I have lived in Northern Michigan all my life and according to the state of Michigan on where they divide their line such as Wildlife management units for the DNRE it is a line going across the Southern boundry of St. Clair, Lapeer, Tuscola, Saginaw, Gratiot, Montcalm, Newaygo and Oceana Counties. They refer to this when they speak of Black Bear Distribution and I have spent a substantial amount of time in St.

Clair and Sanilac counties with family and have seen quite a few black bears which I would consider a symbol of the North, so in a round-a-bout way is the dividing line of Northern Michigan. Chris Jul 12, 2010 And I agree with Thomas’ comment about the DNRE line. Here in Newaygo County though, that northern/southern line splits the county in half. White Cloud is considered where the north begins (and proud of it, given the big sign they have just outside of town). The towns in the northern part of the county are affiliated with… nowhere really. The towns in the southern half are all economically tied to Muskegon and Grand Rapids, where just about everybody works. But that DNRE line can’t split a county in half, so it’s all or nothing. Since most of the state and federal forest land is in the northern half of the county – almost none of it in the southern half – they throw Newaygo County into the north instead. I think given our ties to the lakeshore, Grand Rapids, and West Michigan, most people where I live would cringe at being considered northern Michigan.

But unlike most places in the state, the line here is very distinctly drawn through the county and even marked, both mentally as well as physically in the land where the farmland turns into federally-owned forest. When we say we’re going camping up north, it can often mean we’re driving 15 miles north of the house… ’cause it’s a whole different world there. Always hard to imagine I can drive home in less than a half hour and the scene and social culture is absolutely and drastically different!! If only it were that simple everywhere else, this page wouldn’t exist ;). mike in detroit Oct 9, 2010 I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life and have never been to the UP and I doubt I’ll ever go there. You can keep northern lower michigan too. Anything outside southeast is just a barren wasteland devoid of any value. Thomas Kovach Oct 29, 2010 I response to Mike’s comments: Where do you live in Detroit?

Because if you don’t live anywhere in the Detroit area you would realize that it would be a smart idea to leave there and come to an area like this where houses are farther away than any gun can shoot and you won’t have to worry about putting your bulletproof vest on in the morning, your electric putt-mobile stalling out on your 5 mile, 2 hour commute or that your neighbor may steal anything out of your house without breaking or entering. debbie Does anyone know where I can get a map of the UP, showing it bigger than everything else surrounding it. Carl Mike in Detroit… clueless (p.s. I’ve lived in Detroit, and I’ve lived in the UP) steve Jan 11, 2011 I lived in Sault Ste. Marie for a little, but i’m really from around flint. We don’t hate the U.P., its just that people are way too busy in the burbs and most of them prefer going to florida or something over the U.P. Most of the people down here arn’t as tough as yoopers, and can’t handle the winters.(i personally love the snow). Once you go north of midland, the life style is much more laid back.

I really wish i could go back up there, and would take a trip to houghton over florida any day. P.S. northern michigan is past saginaw for most people, but anywhere past petosky should really be considered up north since it is more north than menominee. Dave May 17, 2011 Northern Mi is synamous with the UP. Isle Royale, an island north of the Keweenaw Pennisula, is still in the State of Michigan and Michigan’s northern most point is north of Isle Royale because the boundry line runs through Lake Superior separating Michigan from Ontario. Living in Sault Ste Marie, culturally we are different from the far western portions of the UP. Someone mentioned that we should be another state. It was tried but in reality it could never happen. It would have been called Superior and Marquette the capital. It still makes sense. Interestingly, when you cross into Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, they consider themselves and those along that line Northern Ontario. It is in all the media and radio broadcasts. Well look at a map of Ontario and you will see that more than 3 quarters of the province is NORTH of Soo, Ontario! Go figure.

Spike Sep 26, 2011 I would have to say with the color-coded map, you need to add another area: The Thumb. Take the 3 counties (Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola) and make it its own entity. No one around there thinks of themselves as part of the Flint/Tri-cities area. Maybe the ones closer to Flint or Bay City or the lower eastern end of Sanilac, but I would feel safe saying those 3 counties are their own “area” of Michigan. Thomas Kovach Sep 26, 2011 I agree with those comments except a better definition of the Thumb would include St. Clair and Lapeer Counties because they really are too far from Flint and Bay City to be included with them, even though they are frequented by people from all the Thumb counties and they don’t fit in with any other regions because of how closely they all align with each other. And on top of all this, I would most definitely include this in the definition of Northern Lower Michigan.

I have no way of explaining how well it fits without everyone having knowledge of the area, but if you were to go there, it looks very much like the rest of Northern Michigan with not too much more agriculture. emile Dec 29, 2011 Being from and living in the Genesee Co/Flint area my whole life when saying “up north” I always thought of the upper peninsula, but when saying northern MI, I think of any are north of probably Gladwin area across east to west. But when thinking about the outdoor activities of Mi hunting, snowmobiling, ice fishing, forests, low population density and thinks of that sort, I think north of Mt Pleasent area as being seperate form the rest of the lower peninsula. But hell, people in Ohio and Indiana and every where else might be talking as far south in MI as the Detroit are when they say up north, gotta keep in mind the state of Michigan is completely different than every other when it comes to the make up and location of the land compared to the other states. maija Born and raised in DA UP EH!! Don’t want to live anywhere else but NORTHERN MICHIGAN! Kid Rock sure seems to know the difference.

We’ve got the “sisu” in us!! YEAH HEY Lynn M Anyone from Michigan will tell you “Up North” starts exactly at the Zilwaukee Bridge!! Melanie Growing up in the Sault, Northern Michigan is the UP. The rest was downstate or above Mt. pleasant was Norther Lower Michigan. Dante Jul 25, 2013 When I lived in Traverse City, I used to blanch when people would refer to it as Northern Michigan or “UP North.” After commenting to a friend that Northern Michigan is the U.P., he stated, “no, this is Northern Michigan. The U.P. is the U.P.” I’ve now come to like this distinction. The U.P. is a separate place, part of Michigan politically but not part of it culturally or socially. The Straits are more than a physical barrier. Megan Aug 12, 2013 I can identify with that! I have relatives down near Cleveland, and many people there have never heard of the UP. People have asked me if I work in the auto industry, as though all of Michigan is Detroit.

I try to explain that I live in the far northern part of the state and that iron ore, lumber, and snowmobiling are more our thing and that Detroit is a 7 hour drive away. I think we tend to subdivide the UP in our area. Marquette is the north central UP, everything east of Newberry the eastern UP, Escanaba the southern UP, and, of course, the Keweenaw is the Copper Country. There are a lot of differences within the peninsula: I once asked a woman in St Ignace who was selling pasties and was a St Ignace native if she also sold cudighi. She had never heard of cudighi! There is a unique sense of unity in the UP I haven’t seen too many other places. A man once rear ended me in the snow near Newberry, two hours from home. It turned out we had gone through elementary school together! When a UP high school goes to a state tournament, you will see “UP power” signs posted in many towns along the route to the bridge, often 100 miles away from the competing high school.

When Ishpeming took state last year in football, the Munising fire department, in a rival town an hour away from Ishpeming, gave them an escort through the town upon their return in their honor. I can’t think of any other place where that would happen. Matt H Aug 28, 2013 I’m from Oakland County, and “Goin’ up north” is a summer slogan down here. For me it means I’m going to my cabin in Caseville. And if I am going to the UP then I say I am. Simple as that… Maria Johnson May 13, 2015 Heading North on I-75 you immediately realize that you are Up-North when the traffic diminishes, the exits become less frequent and the trees more abundant. It doesn’t need to be demarcated, when you are Up-North you feel it and can breath it. Jessica May 14, 2015 I just want to say we moved from Detroit to a town named Glennie…an hour south of Alpena. We always referred it as going “up north”.

Oh and fyi…Kid Rock I believe was referring to Long Lake Michigan…Watch Uncle Krackers video to the song “Smile” you’ll see Long Lake and Hale. Missy C May 14, 2015 I have lived in the western UP my whole life (43) yrs now and if we were to define this we would say that northern Michigan is the upper half of the lower peninsula. We dont much care where you divide the LP. We are the UP which to us is a total different place than northern Michigan. We go to lower Michigan which to us is the whole LP. The only time we differentiate is when we are asked this question. Dave McKinnon Jun 2, 2015 In a book entitled “Ghost Towns of the Upper Peninsula” the author, whose name I just cannot remember, said this about our beloved Yooper Country. “The Upper Peninsula is attached to Lower Michigan by decree and by land to Wisconsin.” I was not born in the Upper Peninsula but I lived there from about the age of 5 until my family moved to Rhode Island where I had been born 16 years earlier. I graduated from High School in Rhode Island and still get invited to both Reunions.

I have never been to one of those reunions in Rhode Island. I still attend the ones that are held in Crystal Falls every 5 years. I will attend the next one in 2019 if I am still able to. I identify with those who call themselves Yoopers and still call myself one. Dave Durocher Northernmost Moon of the 21st Century coming in September of 2006 September 2006 Feature: Northernmost Moon of the 21st Century Moonstruck Many Times Over in September! Not only does September of 2006 feature the northernmost Moon of the century, but also the closest Full Moon and the farthest New Moon of the year. What's more, a partial lunar eclipse at Full Moon and an annular solar eclipse at new Moon are in the works -- though in North America, as it turns out, we're not in a position to observe either eclipse. The September 7 lunar eclipse is best seen from Asia, Australia, Europe and Africa, and your best bet for observing the September 22 annular solar eclipse is northeastern South America -- in Guyana, Suriname or French Guiana.

The above links are maps from Fred Espenak's eclipse page , a treasure chest of eclipse information. We'll investigate the year's closest Full Moon and farthest New Moon before elaborating upon the northernmost Moon of the century . . . Closest Full Moon The Moon looks like it's full for about three days or so, but technically speaking, an astronomical Full Moon represents but a fleeting moment -- the instant the Moon stands most directly opposite the Sun in Earth's sky. This month, the Full Moon comes to pass on September 7, at precisely 6:42 p.m. Universal Time (2:42 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time). At this moment, the Moon is beneath the horizon in North America, and by the time the Moon rises in the east around sunset, it'll be slightly past Full Moon. For general reference, we can say the Full Moon happens on the night of Sept. 7-8. Moreover, of all the Full Moons this year, this Full Moon aligns most closely with perigee, the Moon's closest approach to the Earth for the month. The February Full Moon, on the other hand, aligned most closely with apogee (the Moon's most distant point from Earth for the month).

The September Full Moon, therefore, comes some 30,000 miles closer to Earth than the year's most distant Full Moon in February. For the specific dates and times for New/Full Moons and lunar perigees/apogees, check out this web page , courtesy of John Walker. Closest Full Moon ushers in Perigean Spring Tide It is well known that Full (and New) Moons elevate the ocean tides, bringing monthly spring tides. At spring tide, the high tide climbs especially high whereas the low tide falls especially low, so the variation between high and low tide is extreme. But a Full (or New) Moon coinciding with perigee accentuates the spring tide even more, bringing forth what's called a perigean spring tide. If onshore winds and a low barometric pressure prevail as well, flooding along the ocean shorelines is certainly a possibility. Typically, there's a lag time of a few days between Full Moon and the ensuing spring tide, but this Old Farmer's Almanac tide calculator predicts high and low tides for your neck of the woods.

For a lot more information on tides, I invite you to read my February 2006 Feature: Perigean Spring Tide . In February, it was a New Moon perigean spring tide, because it was the month of the year's closest New Moon and farthest Full Moon -- exactly the reverse of September. Farthest New Moon The September New Moon comes to pass on September 22, at 11:45 a.m. Universal Time . If you happen to be at the right spot on Earth, you'd see that the Moon and Sun are in perfect alignment. Even so, no total solar eclipse occurs, for the simple reason that the farthest New Moon of the year is too far distant to totally cover over the solar disk. Consequently, you'd see a ring -- or annulus of sunshine -- surrounding the Moon ( be sure to use proper eye protection ). This is called an annular solar eclipse . The fact that this eclipse happens so close to the day of the equinox (Sept. 23, 4:03 a.m. Universal Time ) very much relates to the northernmost Moon phenomenon. Northernmost Moon!

Northernmost (and southernmost) Moons come in cycles of some 18.5 to 19 years. This year, the northernmost Moon happens on September 15, at 1:27 a.m. Universal Time (Sept. 14, 9:27 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time). The last northernmost Moon fell on Sept. 15, 1987, and the next one will be on March 7, 2025. At the instant of this year's northernmost Moon, the Moon will be at zenith (staight overhead) at India's Thar Desert . In the United States (except for Alaska), the Moon will be underneath the horizon at this time. Regardless, on September 15 you'll see a Moon that rises and sets considerably farther north, and climbs much higher in the sky, than the Sun ever does on the June solstice. For the rise/set times for the Moon in your area, click here , and for the Moon's rise/transit/set times click here .

Northernmost (and southernmost) Moons take place when the Moon is at or near quarter phase, one week before and/or after an eclipse, and within (at most) two weeks of an equinox. For more on the subject, read 2006: Year of Major Lunar Standstill . Northernmost Moons in the 21st Century* Date of Northernmost Moon

Question: Which U.S. state is, technically speaking, the farthest east?
Answer: Alaska