 Wisconsin
Information
Capital
City: Madison
Economy: Manufacturing,
services, transportation, timber, tourism and agriculture.
Population: 5,363,675
Time Zone: 6 hours behind
Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the
first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October
Wisconsin's Flag:
Starting at the top of a shield on a dark blue field is the state motto
"Forward". Below it is a badger the state animal. A sailor and
miner show that the people work on water and land. The shield in the center
shows Wisconsin's support for the United States. In four sections surrounding
the shield are representations of the states main industries: Agriculture,
mining, manufacturing and navigation. The cornicopia and pile of lead
represent farm products and minerals. The flag law was amended in 1979
to include the name of the state and the date of statehood. From 50states.com.
History of
Wisconsin: 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. In 1996 the state ranked first in the number of milk cows
(1,410,000) and produced 29% of the nation's total output of cheese. 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. 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.
Wisconsin had the first state-wide primary-election law and the first
successful income-tax law. In April 1984, Wisconsin became the first state
to adopt the Uniform Marital Property Act. The act took effect on January
1, 1986. 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
45 state parks, 9 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.
Other Wisconsin Links:
League of Wisconsin
Municipalities
SBA: Wisconsin District
Wisconsin Association of Assessing Officers (WAAO)
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Wisconsin Government Finance Officers Association
Wisconsin Technical College System
Wisconsin Land Information Association
The Cheese State
Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
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