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Introduction Set on Detroit River, the city of Detroit is a county seat of Wayne County. the metropolitan area includes the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and the west end of Lake Erie. Detroit played an instrumental role in the development of the Northwest Territory. The city lost its status as state capital in 1847 when the legislature moved the state headquarters to Lansing. Detroit was a leading regional economic power in the nineteenth century. Detroit is the place for automobile invention and its mass production headed by Henry Ford which in turn changed the world culture. However, Detroit’s position as the leading manufacturer of automobiles was being challenged by foreign competition. The economy has diversified and today Detroit is still one of the largest and most prosperous areas of the country. Detroit is also famous for its music and has given international names such as the Motown greats Iggy Pop, Bob Seger, and the White Stripes, who are known throughout the world. City sports franchises such as the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons are among the most storied in American history.
The climate of Detroit is influenced by the city's location near the Great Lakes. The city enjoys four distinct seasons. Winters are long and cold, and storms usually bring combinations of rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet with heavy snowfall possible at times. Annual snowfalls average around 45 inches. Storms pass to the oth during summers allowing for intervals of warm, humid weather with occasional thunderstorms followed by days of mild, dry weather. Autumn colors can be spectacular, particularly to the north of the city.
Area: 138.7 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 581 feet above sea level at Detroit River
Latitude: 42.39 N
Longitude: 83.10 W
Average Daily Temperatures: January, 28.1° F; July, 72.3° F; annual average, 48.6° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 30.97 inches of rain, 45 inches of snow
Population: 886,671 as on 2005
Festivals: * Michigan State Fair
* Motown Winter Blast
* International Jazz Festival
Attractions: * Detroit Zoo
* Eastern Market
* Detroit Institute of Art
* Museum of African American History
* Dossin Great Lakes Museum
* Detroit Historical Museum
* Motown Historical Museum