Wisconsin is a state in the Midwest in the United States of America. The name Wisconsin means "meeting of the waters" and is of Native American origin. Wisconsin borders Illinois, and Iowa to the south, Minnesota to the west, and Michigan to the north. To the east lies the long Lake Michigan shoreline and in the northwest a smaller Lake Superior shoreline.

Being home to two Great Lakes, thousands of inland lakes and waterways, the state could easily be called the nation's "waterworld" instead. The southern portion of the state is mainly agricultural and urban while the northern half is mostly rural and forested and is more similar in appearance to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The central region acts as a transition zone with both forests, farm land and small cities. The state's largest city and urban area is Milwaukee located in southeastern Wisconsin. In south-central Wisconsin lies the state capital Madison.

Wisconsin is known nationwide for its dairy heritage, or as "America's Dairyland". Historically an important mining state, settlers migrated to Wisconsin in the 1830s attracted by rich farmland. Dairy farming was popularized by settlers from New York and New England in 1830-60. Dominant industries today include pulp, paper and paper products (40 percent of the state being forested), transportation and equipment manufacturing, dairy farming and food processing.

Wisconsin in Numbers :

Horse Population : Approximately 120,000 Total Economic Impact: $ -- billion Population : 5,536,201 Land area : 54,310 sq. miles Capital: Madison Counties: 72 Highest Point : Timms Hill: 1,951 feet Lowest Point : Shore of Lake Michigan: 581 feet 10 largest Cities:   Milwaukee: 578,887 Madison: 221,551 Green Bay: 101,203 Kenosha: 95,240 Racine: 79,392 Appleton: 70,217 Waukesha: 67,658 Oshkosh: 63,485 Eau Claire: 62,570 Janesville: 61,962