The Winnebago and other Indian tribes inhabited Wisconsin long
ago, giving it a name meaning: "where the waters gather." The French
settlers used a corrupted form of the name, which eventually evolved
into its current name of Wisconsin.
When one thinks of Wisconsin, cheese, dairy products, and beer
come to mind. Endearingly called Cheeseheads, Wisconsin residents
thrive and make a living on their reputation for excellent dairy
products. Cheese factories featuring local varieties of this dairy
product are found throughout the state. While cheese and dairy
products have given Wisconsin a great reputation, so has beer. That
tradition continues with new microbreweries complementing
established brewers. Undoubtedly, there is more to Wisconsin than
cheese and beer. With a variety of geographic features, each area
contributes its own singular character to the story of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin appeals to the water lover with over 14,000 lakes, most
the result of retreating glaciers; the Mississippi River on its
western border; and two Great Lakes, Superior and Michigan.
The northern part of the state is truly an outdoor paradise. Vast
tracts of wilderness, punctuated with lakes, rivers, and streams,
offer the ideal escape from the concrete jungle. The Apostle Islands
and the Lake Superior shore have been protected for all to enjoy.
The Door Peninsula, a storybook setting with quaint little towns and
special shops that typically hang their shingles in charming areas,
draws great numbers of tourists to its prime location on the shores
of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
The Wisconsin Dells contain a spectacular river gorge that
entices visitors with its scenic beauty and its commercial
enterprises that provide entertainment for the entire family, from
water parks to the scenery caused by water erosion. Wisconsin
residents take advantage of their seasonal activities, participating
in both summer and winter diversions with flair. Hikers, cyclists,
skiers, and snowmobilers fully appreciate the extensive network of
trails throughout the state.
It comes as no surprise that there are few large towns in
Wisconsin with about 65 percent of the population living in urban
areas. The two largest cities in Wisconsin are relatively small, an
asset that the locals appreciate and the visitors welcome.
Milwaukee, the beer capital and the largest city, enjoys a place on
the shores of Lake Michigan. Throughout the summer it hosts a
multitude of ethnic festivals representing an incredible number of
groups. Madison, located between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona,
considers itself both progressive and cultured. The number of people
cycling throughout the town and enjoying other active pastimes
attests to this. Culturally, the options include a symphony, opera,
and theater as well as galleries and museums.
