The state of Michigan (nicknamed `The Wolverine State’) is in the Midwest region of the USA and consists of two peninsulas. The Upper Peninsula is bordered to the west by Wisconsin and to the north and east by the Canadian province of Ontario, with the boundary passing through St Mary's River and Lake Superior. Lake Huron lies to the east and Lake Michigan to the south, separated by the Straits of Mackinac, across which lies the lower Peninsula, stretching southwards towards Ohio in the south-east and Indiana in the south-west.

The state of Michigan is also know as Wolverine State has a rich history. When European settlement of what is now the state of Michigan began in the early 17th century, the region was inhabited by Algonquian-speaking Winnebago and Huron Native Americans (Amerindians). Fur-trading and missionary posts were established by the French at Sault Sainte Marie in 1668 and St Ignace in 1671. In 1701 a permanent settlement was created on the site of present-day Detroit. After the defeat of the French in the French and Indian War, Michigan came under British authority.