The Wisconsin region was first
explored for France by Jean Nicolet, who landed at
Green Bay in 1634. In 1660 a French trading post and
Roman Catholic mission were established near
present-day Ashland.
Great Britain obtained the region in settlement of
the French and Indian Wars in 1763; the U.S.
acquired it in 1783 after the Revolutionary War.
However, Great Britain retained actual control until
after the War of 1812. The region was successively
governed as part of the territories of Indiana,
Illinois, and Michigan between 1800 and 1836, when
it became a separate territory.
Wisconsin is a leading state in milk and cheese
production. Other important farm products are peas,
beans, beets, corn, potatoes, oats, hay, and
cranberries.
The chief industrial products of the state are
automobiles, machinery, furniture, paper, beer, and
processed foods. Wisconsin ranks second among the 47
paper-producing states. The state's mines produce
copper, iron ore, lead, and zinc.
Wisconsin is a pioneer in social legislation,
providing pensions for the blind (1907), aid to
dependent children (1913), and old-age assistance
(1925). In labor legislation, the state was the
first to enact an unemployment compensation law
(1932) and the first in which a workman's
compensation law actually took effect. In 1984,
Wisconsin became the first state to adopt the
Uniform Marital Property Act.
The state has over 14,000 lakes, of which Winnebago
is the largest. Water sports, ice-boating, and
fishing are popular, as are skiing and hunting.
Public parks and forests take up one-seventh of the
land, with 43 state parks, 12 state forests, 14
state trails, 3 recreational areas, and 2 national
forests.
Among the many points of interest are the Apostle
Islands National Lakeshore; Ice Age National
Scientific Reserve; the Circus World Museum at
Baraboo; the Wolf, St. Croix, and Lower St. Croix
national scenic riverways; and the Wisconsin Dells. |
