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Wisconsin, USA — visiting The Badger State

Wisconsin, USA -- photo: Museum of Modern Art, Milwaukee [photo: travel1000places.com]
Wisconsin, USA — photo: Museum of Modern Art, Milwaukee [photo: travel1000places.com]

‘The Badger State’
State Animal is the Badger (Taxidea taxus) which is closely associated with Wisconsin since the territorial days. The many miners who worked in the state lived often in their own mines, not in houses. That reminded many people of the badgers and the nickname was born.
The ferocious Badger has lent its likeness to the state’s coat of arms, flag, and song, and is even the proud mascot of the University of Wisconsin.
The name Wisconsin derives from an Indian dialekt and means something like ‘homeland’ and ‘water’ – the latter because of the many lakes.
Wisconsin, located in America’s heartland, is a four-season travel destination offering both urban and rural vacations. Ranked a top travel spot in the United States, Wisconsin owes much of its popularity to its natural beauty, with two Great Lakes, Superior and Michigan, and the world’s most famous river, the Mississippi, as well as 15,000 inland lakes.

The state in a nutshell

Wisconsin, located in America’s heartland, is a four-season travel destination offering both urban and rural vacations. Ranked a top travel spot in the United States, Wisconsin owes much of its popularity to its natural beauty, with two Great Lakes, Superior and Michigan, and the world’s most famous river, the Mississippi, as well as 15,000 inland lakes.

Forty percent of the state is forested land, with 43 state parks and 11 state forests providing plenty of outdoor recreation. Wisconsin’s also been described as having the best natural golf course landscape in the country.

In spring and summer, travelers enjoy water-related activities, including fishing, sailing and canoeing. Fall is the time for “colorama,” when the leaves turn colors and the entire state offers spectacular scenic touring. Winter features ample cross-country and downhill skiing, festivals, sled dog races, sleigh rides and snowmobiling.

Milwaukee, a city of 600,000 on the shores of Lake Michigan, offers great cultural diversity, reflected in its many performing arts groups, professional sports teams, ethnic festivals, nationally acclaimed zoo and natural history museum, fine restaurants and diverse shopping opportunities. Madison is the state’s capital and the location of the University of Wisconsin. The stately Capitol building, beautiful campus and bustling university atmosphere make this city, bordered by lakes, an appealing destination.

The Regions in a nutshell

Door County, the “thumb” on the eastern side of the state, claims more miles of shoreline, state parks and lighthouses than any county in the United States. Picturesque villages feature art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Wisconsin’s Northwoods, the spectacular wooded country stretching across the northern third of the state, is a land of lush forests, sparkling lakes and rushing rivers. The area offers private cottages, resorts, guided fishing opportunities and golf, as well as outdoor recreation.

Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore at Wisconsin’s northern tip which is a scenic chain of 21 islands just off the shores of the town of Bayfield. Visitors will enjoy kayaking, sailing and fishing with charter opportunities, as well as performing arts, shopping and fine dining.

Wisconsin Dells, located in southern Wisconsin, is one of the Midwest’s most popular family vacation destinations. It offers the scenic Wisconsin River, flanked by 100-foot cliffs, and a multitude of attractions including river cruises, the nation’s largest waterpark and stage shows.

Wisconsin’s 300-mile Great River Road along the Mississippi River is one of the Midwest’s most scenic drives, with quaint river towns along a road etched in limestone river bluffs.

What to do/ Sightseeing

German Heritage
Scandinavian Heritage
Swiss Heritage
Madison
Milwaukee
Cedarburg
Bayfield and Madeline Island & Wisconsin Northwoods
Door County

Weather

Best time to travel / Season
Year-round: The lakes provide many opportunities for many kinds of water recreation, e.g. kayaking, sailing, swimming, etc.
During winter the visitor can enjoy snow mobiling, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, even downhill skiiing. Furthermore Wisconsin is the ideal place for snow shoeing and Sleigh Rides, etc.
Milwaukee offers a great cultural program.

Climate and Temperatures

Average Temperature – Summer 67 degrees F (ca. 20 C)
Average Temperature – Winter 16 degrees F (ca. -9 C)
Average Rainfall 31 inches (78 cm)
Average Snowfall 45 inches (116 cm)

State Data & Essentials

Wisconsin Flag

State Name
Wisconsin  – State Abbr.: WI
Statehood
29-Mai-1848
– Statehood Ranking: 30
Land Area
54,310 square miles  (140,658 qkm)
– Land Area Ranking: 25
Population
5,686,986 (2010 Census); 5,363,675 (2000 Census)
Capital
Madison
Biggest City
Milwaukee
Nickname
The Badger State
Motto
Forward
Highest Point
595 m / 1,952 ft (Timms Hill/Price County)
Lowest Point
177 m / 581 ft (Lake Michigan Shores)
Daylight Saving Time: yes
Tree
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Flower
Wood Violet (Viola papilionacea)
Bird
Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Animal
Badger (Taxidea taxus)
Song
“On Wisconsin!” (by William T. Purdy)

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