Outline of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a Midwestern state of the United States that has long been famous for its dairy products. Thousands of herds of milk cows graze on the rich, green pastures of the rolling Wisconsin countryside. They make Wisconsin one of the nation's leading milk producers. The state also produces about a third of the country's cheese and about a fourth of its butter. This tremendous output of dairy products has earned Wisconsin the title of America's Dairyland. The processing of milk into butter, cheese, and other dairy products is a leading manufacturing activity in Wisconsin. Manufacturing is more important to Wisconsin's economy than it is to the economies of most other states.
Wisconsin is one of the leading states in the manufacture of machinery, food products, and paper products. The cities of southeastern Wisconsin produce construction cranes, engines, machine tools, and other machinery. Besides dairy products, the state's food products include canned and frozen vegetables, sausages, and beer. Northern Wisconsin has many paper mills.
Most of Wisconsin's workers are employed in service industries, which include education, finance, health care, and trade. The state's public university system is one of the largest in the nation. Milwaukee ranks as one of the Midwest's chief financial centers. Madison, Milwaukee, and La Crosse have major medical centers. Ports along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior handle both foreign and domestic trade.
The natural beauty and recreational resources of Wisconsin attract millions of vacationers every year. Wisconsin has about 15,000 lakes to delight swimmers, fishing enthusiasts, and boaters. Hikers and horseback riders follow paths through the deep, cool north woods of Wisconsin. Hunters shoot game animals in the forests and fields. In winter, sports fans enjoy skiing, tobogganing, and iceboating.
Wisconsin has won fame as one of the nation's most progressive states. An important reform movement called Progressivism started in Wisconsin during the early 1900's. The state began many educational, social, political, and economic reforms that were later adopted by other states and the federal government. Many of these reforms were sponsored by the La Follettes, one of the most famous families in American political history. Wisconsin also played a major role in the founding of the Republican Party.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city, is a leading center of manufacturing. Madison, the state's capital, is Wisconsin's second largest city. It is home to the oldest and largest campus of the University of Wisconsin. Other large Wisconsin cities are Green Bay, Racine, and Kenosha. All are important manufacturing and shipping centers. About two-thirds of Wisconsinites live within the state's metropolitan areas.
Wisconsin's natural beauty has made it a favorite vacation spot with tourists in all seasons. Millions of people visit the state each year. Vacationers enjoy Wisconsin's sparkling lakes, rolling hills, quiet valleys, and cool, pine-scented breezes. In spring and summer, hikers and cyclists enjoy the countryside. The winters are ideal for cross-country skiing, skating, and snowmobiling. The state is host to the Birkebeiner, North America's largest cross-country ski race. The World Championship Snowmobile Derby takes place at Eagle River. Door County peninsula, in the northeast part of the state, features about 250 miles (400 kilometers) of Lake Michigan shoreline. Wisconsin Dells, another popular vacation spot, offers scenic boat rides and large water theme parks.
Wisconsin is an Indian word. It has several possible meanings, including gathering of the waters, wild rice country, and home land. Wisconsin has been nicknamed the Badger State, and its people are known as Badgers. This nickname was first used for Wisconsin lead miners in the 1820's. Some of these miners lived in caves that they dug out of the hillsides. They reminded people of badgers burrowing holes in the ground.
