Detroit guide

Detroit, located in southeast Michigan on the Detroit River between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, is the largest city in the state and the tenth-largest in the country, with around 1,000,000 residents and a metropolitan population 4 times that size. It is the oldest major city west of the original colonies and the only city in the US that allows you to travel south into Canada. Began as a fur-trading town in the 1700s, Detroit took full advantage of its prime geographical location in the 1800s, becoming a major shipping and manufacturing center. With an influx of workers from Europe and the American South, including many African Americans, Detroit was an industrial juggernaut in the early 1900s. During the two World Wars, Detroit was a leading supplier to the military. The birthplace of the automobile and the home of the "Big 3" (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler), Detroit remains the nucleus of the industry despite competition from Japan and Europe. One of the largest manufacturing cities in the country, Detroit is a leader in steel, fabricated-metal, chemicals, paper products, food and beverages. The health industry is also among the city's leading employers. Detroit Culture Perhaps more than any other city, Detroit has contributed great names in the music industry to America's ears. Detroit record producer Berry Gordy created the Motown sound in the 1960s, with legendary Detroit artists such as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and the Temptations. Even aside from Motown, the seemingly endless list of Detroit musicians reads like a who's who in music, with John Lee Hooker, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Bob Seger, George Clinton, Anita Baker, Wilson Pickett, Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Kid Rock and Eminem. Music and cars dominate the cultural attractions in the Detroit area. The Motown Museum in the north of the city offers a memorable tribute to Berry Gordy and his influential stable of artists.

The International Jazz Festival, held each September at Hart Plaza on the Detroit Riverfront, is the largest free jazz festival in North America, featuring 1000 musicians and over 100 performances. Just west of Detroit in Dearborn, the Henry Ford bills itself as "America's greatest history attraction," where you can watch automobiles being manufactured at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, experience America's past in Greenfield Village, and see the latest films at an IMAX theatre. Just a half-hour away, the Silverdome in Pontiac produces many major concerts each year. Detroit Outdoors With easy access to water sports on the Great Lakes and Detroit River and skiing in dozens of nearby slopes, Detroit offers an endless array of outdoor activities. Graphic sourced with thanks from http://wikitravel.org


Latest Tweets featuring Detroit

  • TheFakeESPN

    2 teams will be on TV this offseason: Miami Dolphins on Hard Knocks and the Detroit Lions on COPS.

    Yesterday, 22:35

  • caroguillenESPN

    Es oficial que Magglio Ordonez anunciara su retiro del beisbol este domingo antes del juego en Detroit contra Yankees.

    Yesterday, 20:55

  • NiallOfficial

    @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 08:53

  • misformusicnews

    Why Skrillex, David Guetta, Deadmau5 Aren't Playing This Weekend's Detroit Movement Fest 502

    Today, 09:21

  • The_Real_TK_

    I'm getting ready to leave #Arizona only question is do I go back to Detroit or give Cali a try? #SadStory

    Today, 09:21

  • Y3ahYouRight

    I'm home bound cant so long distance u gotta be from detroit

    Today, 09:21

  • Tiziana_Payne

    RT @NiallOfficial: @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 09:21

  • Kejju_17

    RT @NiallOfficial: @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 09:21

  • sweetsushirolls

    RT @NiallOfficial: @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 09:21

  • hamna1D

    RT @NiallOfficial: @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 09:21

  • graceemma559

    RT @NiallOfficial: @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 09:21

  • Rilla23

    RT @NiallOfficial: @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 09:21

  • CharlotteKirbyP

    RT @NiallOfficial: @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 09:21

  • KAZUNEtaifu

    @Detroit_9000 なんで、さとぅーのやつリツイートした笑

    Today, 09:21

  • matthubertt

    @thebestofbelle lol Detroit murdered me

    Today, 09:21

  • dilster34

    Verlander pitched superb for detroit against boston but was down 5-2. Weird things just sometimes happen.

    Today, 09:21

  • Jade_Crotty

    RT @NiallOfficial: @FM104 yo! We were in toronto, it was amazing, have another show here thursday ,then off to detroit michigan, havin a great time out here

    Today, 09:21

  • Zakj218

    Detroit trip #8mile #Em'sTerritory http://t.co/ZtouhB3N

    Today, 09:20

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