ABSTRACT
Michigan is the third largest state east of the Mississippi River and ranks twenty-third in size in the United States. Michigan's peninsular shape is of major significance. The Upper and Lower Peninsulas, separated by the narrow Straits of Mackinac, are quite different, partly because of their locations. The major characteristic of Michigan's relative position is that it is located in the interior of the North American continent. Michigan lies farther south than many parts of Europe and at latitudes similar to those of the southern parts of the USSR and northern Japan. The eastern point of Michigan is directly north of Tampa, Florida, and the western tip of the Upper Peninsula is almost directly north of St. Louis and New Orleans. The fact that Michigan is adjacent to the Province of Ontario is significant. Location is an important a part of the total environment as are resources and landforms.
