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Place Name
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Upper Peninsula
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Place Status (Type)
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region
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Population
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313,915 (1990)
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Location
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Michigan, United States, North America
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Latitude
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unknown
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Longitude
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unknown
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Upper Peninsula
, region (
16,450 sq mi/42,606 sq km; 1990
pop. 313,915), on peninsula, N Mich., across St. Mary's R. from Canada
(E; Ont.), on Wis. (SW) state line, and on lakes Superior (N), Michigan (MI)
(SW), and Huron (SE). Comprises 16 cos. Straits of Mackinac to S.
Includes offshore isls., notably Drummond Isl. (L. Huron) and
Isle Royale (L. Superior). Generally referred to as the U.P., its
residents refer to themselves as Yoopers. An extension of the Can.
Shield, the U.P. is characterized by pine and broad-leaf forests.
Meager topsoil and long cold winters limit agr. to some dairying,
forage crops, potatoes, rutabagas (the latter used in a local meat pie
dish called pasties). Once a major copper- and iron-ore-mining dist.,
80% of world's copper was produced here in 1920s, all but 2 iron
mines have closed. Economy sustained by tourism; extensive snowmobile
trails provide winter recreation. K. I. Sawyer Air Foce Base,
15 mi/24 km S of Marquette. Isle Royale Natl.
Park and Keweenaw Peninsula, which protrudes into L. Superior, is noted
for its heavy lake-effect snows. Connected to Lower Mich.
(Lower Peninsula) by Mackinac Bridge. Sometimes called Upper Mich.
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