Michigan, a state consisting of two large peninsulas with over 58,000 sq. miles, 11,000 lakes and 10 million residents is one of the most contrasting states in the lower forty eight. Its name is generally interpreted as being an Ojibwa word meaning it is a "big" or "great" lake; and in few other places will you find such striking differences in climate, soils, vegetation and development. It is currently noted for its industry, agriculture and tourism but has experienced boom eras in fur trade, fishing, land speculation, farming, mining, and lumbering. The land areas touches four of the five great lakes, and three of the state rivers are among the busiest in the world, being, the St. Mary's which connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron, the St. Claire River linking Lake Huron and Lake St. Claire and the Detroit River bridging Lake St. Claire and Lake Erie