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One of the periods of glaciation was also termed the Wisconsin glaciation.
Wisconsin is the 23rd largest state of the United States, (54,314 square miles) and 18th greatest population (5,453,896 as of 2002). The state's name is an English version of a French adaptation of an Indian name said to mean "the place where we live."
Wisconsin's natural beauty has made the state a favorite playground of the nation. Vacationers enjoy the state's clean lakes, rolling hills, quiet valleys, deep forests and cool, pine-scented breezes.
The winters are ideal for skating, skiing, snowmobiling and tobogganing. Many communities stage curling matches during the winter and others hold snowmobile derbies. Many annual events celebrate the state's rich ethnic heritage and diversity.
One area of Wisconsin's scenery USS Wisconsin was named in honor of this state.
Wisconsin's political history encompasses, on the one hand, Fighting Bob La Follette and the Progressive movement; and on the other, Joe McCarthy, the controverial anti-communist censured by the Senate during the 1950s. The first Socialist mayor of a large city in the United States was Emil Seidel, elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1910; another Socialist, Daniel Hoan, was mayor of Milwaukee from 1916 to 1940. During both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, Wisconsin was considered a "swing" state due to its residents being relatively equally split between voting for the Democratic and Republican candidates. The state just barely (by about 5,700 votes) went for the Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore, in 2000 and by 14,000 votes to Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, both of whom lost the national election.
History
Main Article: History of Wisconsin
In 1634, Frenchman Jean Nicolet became Wisconsin's first European explorer. The French controlled the area until 1763, when it was ceded to the British.
After the American Revolutionary War, Wisconsin was a part of the U.S.Northwest Territory. It was then governed as part of Indiana Territory, Illinois Territory, and Michigan Territory. Wisconsin Territory was organized on July 3, 1836 and became the 30th state on May 29, 1848.
Law and Government
The capital is Madison and the largest city is Milwaukee. Beginning with the establishment of the "Brain Trust" for the 1930's New Deal, Wisconsin and in particular, Madison, have often been seen as leaders in labor, social welfare, and other legislative thrusts popularly termed " socially progressive". For example, in 1982 sexual preference was added by the state as a protected category under existing anti-discrimination laws, a step in the context of the 1980's seen as highly innovative.
Geography
See: List of Wisconsin counties, List of cities in Wisconsin, List of villages in Wisconsin, List of towns in Wisconsin
It is bordered by Lake Superior and Michigan to the north, by Lake Michigan to the east, by Illinois to the south, and by Iowa and Minnesota to the west. Part of the state's boundaries includes the Mississippi River and St. Croix River.
Demographics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2003, Wisconsin's population was estimated at 5,472,299 people.
The racial makeup of the state is:
The 5 largest ancestry groups in Wisconsin are German (42.6%), Irish (10.9%), Polish (9.3%), Norwegian (8.5%), English (6.5%)
6.4% of Wisconsin's population were reported as under 5, 25.5% under 18, and 13.1% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.6% of the population.
Religion
The religious affiliations of the citizens of Wisconsin are:
- Protestant 51%
- Roman Catholic 39%
- Other Christian 1%
- Other Religions 1%
- Non-Religious 6%
The three largest Protestant denominations in Wisconsin are: Lutheran (26% of the total state population), Methodist (6%), Baptist (4%).
Important cities and villages
Cities and villages are incorporated urban areas in Wisconsin. Towns are unincorporated minor civil divisions of counties.
Cities in Wisconsin with population of 50,000 or more as of 2000 include:
- Milwaukee, pop. 596,125 (1,500,741 in metropolitan area)
- Madison - pop. 208,856, state capital, flagship campus of University of Wisconsin
- Green Bay, pop. 102,263, home of Green Bay Packers football team
- Kenosha, pop. 90,625, considered part of the greater "Chicagoland" area
- Racine, pop. 81,703
- Appleton, pop. 70,232
- Waukesha, pop. 65,092
- Oshkosh, pop. 63,325
- Eau Claire, pop. 61,792
- Janesville, pop. 60,294
- West Allis, pop. 60,254
- La Crosse, pop. 51,907
Other cities include:
Wisconsin, showing rivers and roads - Antigo, pop. 8,560
- Baraboo, pop. 10,717, home of Circus World Museum
- Beloit, pop. 35,821, home of Beloit College
- Portage, pop. 9,728, birthplace of Frederick Jackson Turner, Zona Gale
- Ripon birthplace of the Republican Party, 1854
- Stevens Point, pop. 24,539, home of the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame (http://www.for-wild.org/wchf/), commemorating Aldo Leopold, John Muir, and others
- Superior, pop. 27,389
- Waterloo, pop. 3,259, home to the headquarters of one of the world's largest bicycle manufacturers, Trek Bicycle Corporation
- Watertown site of the first kindergarten in the United States
- Wausau, pop. 38,469
- Wisconsin Dells, pop. 2,418 (approx. 4,000 including Lake Delton) popular resort area, home of Tommy Bartlett's thrill shows and numerous hotels and themeparks.
- Sobieski, pop 250
- Abrams, pop 300
Education
Colleges and universities
 Wisconsin became a state in 1848 Professional sports teams
Miscellaneous information
External links
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