		HOTWORDS CITE PRINT in
Daily Almanac » Infoplease Home Almanacs Atlas Dictionary Encyclopedia

Wisconsin

Capital: Madison

State abbreviation/Postal code: Wis./WI

Governor: Jim Doyle, D (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: Barbara Lawton, D (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Russell D. Feingold, D (to Jan. 2011); Herbert Kohl, D (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 8

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Douglas J. La Follette, D (to Jan. 2011)

State Treasurer: Dawn Marie Sass, D (to Jan. 2011)

Atty. General: J. B. Van Hollen, R (to Jan. 2011)

Organized as territory: July 4, 1836

Entered Union (rank): May 29, 1848 (30)

Present constitution adopted: 1848

Motto: Forward

State symbols:

flower	wood violet (1949)
tree	sugar maple (1949)
grain	corn (1990)
bird	robin (1949)
animal	badger
wild life animal	white-tailed deer (1957)
domestic animal	dairy cow (1971)
insect	honeybee (1977)
fish	musky (muskellunge) (1955)
song	“On Wisconsin”
mineral	galena (1971)
rock	red granite (1971)
symbol of peace	mourning dove (1971)
soil	antigo silt loam (1983)
fossil	trilobite (1985)
dog	American Water Spaniel (1986)
beverage	milk (1988)
dance	polka (1994)
waltz	“The Wisconsin Waltz” (2001)
ballad	“Oh Wisconsin, Land of My Dreams” (2001)

Nickname: Badger State

Origin of name: French corruption of an Indian word whose meaning is disputed

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Milwaukee, 578,887; Madison, 221,551; Green Bay, 101,203; Kenosha, 95,240; Racine, 79,392; Appleton, 70,217; Waukesha, 67,658; Oshkosh, 63,485; Eau Claire, 62,570; Janesville, 61,962

Land area: 54,310 sq mi. (140,673 sq km)

Geographic center: In Wood Co., 9 mi. SE of Marshfield

Number of counties: 72

Largest county by population and area: Milwaukee, 921,654 (2005); Marathon, 1,545 sq mi.

State parks, forests, and recreation areas: 95

Residents: Wisconsinite

2005 resident population est.: 5,536,201

2000 resident census population (rank): 5,363,675 (18). Male: 2,649,041 (49.4%); Female: 2,714,634 (50.6%). White: 4,769,857 (88.9%); Black: 304,460 (5.7%); American Indian: 47,228 (0.9%); Asian: 88,763 (1.7%); Other race: 84,842 (1.6%); Two or more races: 66,895 (1.2%); Hispanic/Latino: 192,921 (3.6%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 74.5; 65 and over: 13.1; median age: 36.0.

See additional census data

Area codes

Tourism office

Map of Wisconsin

The Wisconsin region was first explored for France by Jean Nicolet, who landed at Green Bay in 1634. In 1660 a French trading post and Roman Catholic mission were established near present-day Ashland.

Great Britain obtained the region in settlement of the French and Indian Wars in 1763; the U.S. acquired it in 1783 after the Revolutionary War. However, Great Britain retained actual control until after the War of 1812. The region was successively governed as part of the territories of Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan between 1800 and 1836, when it became a separate territory.

Wisconsin is a leading state in milk and cheese production. Other important farm products are peas, beans, beets, corn, potatoes, oats, hay, and cranberries.

The chief industrial products of the state are automobiles, machinery, furniture, paper, beer, and processed foods. Wisconsin ranks second among the 47 paper-producing states. The state's mines produce copper, iron ore, lead, and zinc.

Wisconsin is a pioneer in social legislation, providing pensions for the blind (1907), aid to dependent children (1913), and old-age assistance (1925). In labor legislation, the state was the first to enact an unemployment compensation law (1932) and the first in which a workman's compensation law actually took effect. In 1984, Wisconsin became the first state to adopt the Uniform Marital Property Act.

The state has over 14,000 lakes, of which Winnebago is the largest. Water sports, ice-boating, and fishing are popular, as are skiing and hunting. The 95 state parks, forests, and recreation areas take up one-seventh of the land.

Among the many points of interest are the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; Ice Age National Scientific Reserve; the Circus World Museum at Baraboo; the Wolf, St. Croix, and Lower St. Croix national scenic riverways; and the Wisconsin Dells.

See more on Wisconsin:
Encyclopedia: Wisconsin
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
Monthly Temperature Extremes

Accredited Colleges and Universities

All U.S. States: Geography & Climate
Printable Outline Maps
Record Highest Temperatures
Record Lowest Temperatures
Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations
Land and Water Area

All U.S. States: Population & Economy
Historical Population Statistics, 1790–Present
Per Capita Personal Income
Minimum Wage Rates
State Taxes
Federal Government Expenditure
Percent of People in Poverty
Births and Birth Rates
Homeownership
Percentage of Uninsured by State

All U.S. States: Society & Culture:
Most Livable States
Healthiest States
Most Dangerous States
Smartest States
Crime Index
Residency Requirements for Voting
Compulsory School Attendance Laws
Driving Laws
National Public Radio Stations