Minnesota is a midwestern U.S. state bordering Canada and Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. The state contains more than 10,000 other lakes, including Lake Itasca, the Mississippi River’s primary source. The “Twin Cities” of Minneapolis and state capital Saint Paul are dense with cultural landmarks like the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Walker Art Center, a modern art museum. Abbreviation: MN Capital: Saint Paul Temperature: 9 degrees, mostly cloudy Time: 1:00 (CST, 1 hour behind us) Nickname:  “The North Star State” Our state motto is 'L'Etoile du Nord' (translation: Star of the North) and we are the most Northerly of the contiguous United States. We are also known as 'The Land of 10,000 Lakes' (on our auto license plates) but the actual count is closer to 14,000. Population: 5.7 million (PA 12.8) Size: 86,943 sq mi (PA 46,000) Cost of living:  $36,798 (PA $49,040) Minimum wage: $10.59 (PA $7.25) Statehood: May 11, 1958 State Flag:  The pink-and-...

Michigan is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. It has land borders with Wisconsin to the northwest, and Indiana and Ohio to the south; it is also connected by Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie to the states of Minnesota and Illinois, and the Canadian province of Ontario. Abbreviation: MI Capital: Lansing Temperature:  Time: 2:00 (mostly!)  Michigan observes Eastern Time, except for four counties and two cities, which observe Central Time. Nickname:  Michigan's traditional nickname is "The Wolverine State." There are many theories as to how Michigan came to have this nickname. The wolverine has a reputation as having "a vicious disposition and destructive capabilities."  Today Michigan is often called "The Great Lakes State" (this nickname is featured on the U.S. Mint's bicentennial commemorative quarter for Michigan).  Michigan borders Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. Lake ...