"The Badger State," as
Wisconsin is called, was once known for its copper and iron-ore miners, who sometimes lived in their mineshafts like a badger lives in its hole. This popular
moving destination is now known for its agriculture, particularly its dairy farms and cheese manufacturers. It is also known for the beauty of its land, particularly the gem-like lakes left by glaciers that melted thousands of years ago.
Origin of state's name: Wisconsin was named for the river which winds through its center. The origins of the river's name are uncertain, but scholars believe that it meant either "gathering of waters" or "grassy place" in the language of the Chippewa Indians.
Capital city: The capital of Wisconsin is the city of
Madison, which is also the county seat of
Dane County. It was named for James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. Madison was home to Native Americans for 12,000 years, and it was settled by Europeans beginning in 1837. Most of the earliest settlers came from New England, England, Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia.
Population: In 2009, the U.S. Census estimated that the Wisconsin population was just over 5.6 million residents.
Driving: Driver's license information, applications, testing requirements, driver's manuals and testing locations can all be found on the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) website.
Agriculture and Industry: In addition to its famous maple syrup, important crops in Wisconsin include corn, soybeans, hay, cranberries, potatoes, peas, oats, sweet corn and beets. Wisconsin also has a strong manufacturing base, and its exports include automobile parts, paper products and printed materials, plastics and medical instruments. Wisconsin is renowned for its dairies, but other livestock also play a large role in the state's economy. Poultry farms are extremely important in Wisconsin, as are sheep ranches and hog farms.
State Bird: The Wisconsin state bird is the American robin, a red-breasted bird with a sweet song. The mourning dove, a black-and-brown bird that coos sweetly, is the state's symbol of peace.
State Tree: The state tree is the sugar maple, which is known for its sweet syrup and golden autumn foliage.
State Flower: The Wood Violet, which has green pointed leaves and small purple flowers, is the Wisconsin state flower.
State Song: The state song is "On, Wisconsin!" The song was originally sung at Wisconsin football games, and was adopted as a state symbol in 1959.