Welcome to the Badger State, where the cheese is cheesy, the beer is cold, and the winters are frosty. Wisconsin is a state full of surprises and quirky charm, from the land of dairy farms to the birthplace of Harley-Davidson. Whether you’re a fan of sports, history, or just trivia, there’s something for everyone in Wisconsin. So, grab a beer and some cheese curds, and let’s discover 20 amazing Wisconsin facts that will make you say, “Holy cow!”
1-5 Fun Facts About Wisconsin
1. Wisconsin may not be the biggest-state in the US, but it still packs a serious punch with its 65,498 square miles of land, sandwiched between Florida and Georgia in size.
2. To put that into perspective, this cheese-loving state is twice the size of Austria or three times the size of Costa Rica if it were a country.
3. Home to 5.9 million people, Wisconsin ranks #20 in the US for its population. The state’s capital, Madison, is a bustling hub of activity and a must-visit for those exploring the area.
4. Wisconsin is widely recognized for its role as “America’s Dairyland,” earning it monikers like “The Dairy State” and “The Cheese State.” It churns out more cheese than any other state and is second only to California in milk production. And if that’s not impressive enough, milk is even its official state beverage!
5. Its official motto “Forward” speaks to its forward-thinking attitude, while its tourism slogans like “Live Like You Mean It,” “Life’s So Good,” “Escape to Wisconsin,” and “Stay Just a Little Bit Longer” beckon visitors to come and experience its charm.
6-10 Interesting Facts About Wisconsin
6. Beyond its bustling cities, Wisconsin is home to over 15,000 lakes and 13,500 mi (21,726 km) of navigable rivers, making it a go-to destination for weekend getaways. In fact, water makes up a staggering 17% of Wisconsin’s total area, including parts of the vast Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
7. Wisconsin boasts more water than any other state in the country, except for Alaska, Florida, and Michigan.
8. The founders of Harley-Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle brand, built their very first motorcycle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
9. Nowadays, Milwaukee is also home to the Harley-Davidson Museum, where you can explore the brand’s rich history and evolution.
10. Wisconsin is also known for some rather peculiar laws that might make you do a double-take. For example, an outdated state law stipulated that if a public restaurant served apple pie, it had to come with cheese.
11-15 Awesome Facts About Wisconsin
11. Wisconsin drivers legally have to give livestock right-of-way on public roads.
12. And another odd law required that if you parked your car for more than two hours in Milwaukee, you had to tie it to a horse!
13. Adultery is technically a class 1 felony in Wisconsin, However, offenders are rarely pursued.
14. Wisconsin sure knows how to party! According to a recent study, 7 out of the top 10 drunkest cities in the U.S. are located in the Badger State.
15. In Wisconsin, you can check out seeds from a “Seed Library” and return them after harvest – a sustainable twist on the traditional lending library.
16-20 Insane Facts About Wisconsin
16. Oconto, Wisconsin once experienced a biblical-level frog invasion of 175 million amphibians, thanks to an unusual quirk of Lake Michigan.
17. A mad scientist in Wisconsin once created a virus that gave chickens alligator-like teeth – because why not?
Read More: 25 Mind-Blowing Facts About Chicken That Will Amaze You
18. Wisconsin’s Governor once vetoed the digit “2” to slash a $25 million appropriation down to just $5 million – an impressive display of fiscal frugality.
19. When the University of Wisconsin football team plays “Jump Around,” the fans’ enthusiastic bouncing can be detected by a seismograph in the Geology Department, located two miles away.
20. Ripon, Wisconsin holds a special place in history as the birthplace of the Republican Party, founded in 1854 to fight against the evils of slavery. Republicans, you can be proud of your Wisconsin roots!
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 20 Wisconsin Fun Facts.
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