Geography of Wisconsin – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Wisconsin including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin is a state in the upper Midwestern United States.
- It is bordered by Minnesota to the west; Iowa to the southwest; Illinois to the south; Lake Michigan to the east; Michigan to the northeast; and Lake Superior to the north.
- Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous.
- The state capital, Madison, is currently the second most populated and fastest growing city in the state.
- Wisconsin is divided into 72 counties and as of the 2020 census had a population of nearly 5.9 million.
- Geography of Wisconsin is diverse, having been greatly impacted by glaciers during the Ice Age with the exception of the Drift less Area.
Geography of Wisconsin
Country:
United States
Area:
65,498.37 sq mi
Capital:
Madison
Population:
5,893,718
Bordering Countries:
- It is bordered by Minnesota to the west; Iowa to the southwest; Illinois to the south; Lake Michigan to the east; Michigan to the northeast; and Lake Superior to the north.
Total Size:
5,893,718
Geographical Coordinates:
Longitude: 86° 49’W to 92° 54’W
Latitude: 42° 30’N to 47° 3’N
World Region or Continent:
North America
General Terrain:
The region is generally a flat sandy plain, with Glacial Lake Wisconsin composing much of the region. The Eastern Ridges and Lowlands region, in the southeast, is home to many of the state’s largest cities. The region is located west of Lake Michigan, and is primarily a plain, sloping down to the lake.
Geographical Low Point:
- The lowest point in Wisconsin is Lake Michigan at 581 feet above sea level.
Geographical High Point:
- The highest point in Wisconsin is Timms Hill at 1,951 feet above sea level.
Climate:
- Most of Wisconsin is classified as warm-summer humid continental climate while southern and southwestern portions are classified as hot-summer humid continental climate.
- The highest temperature ever recorded in the state was in the Wisconsin Dells, on July 13, 1936, where it reached 114 °F (46 °C).
- The lowest temperature ever recorded was in the village of Couderay, where it reached −55 °F (−48 °C) on both February 2 and 4, 1996
Major cities:
| Major Cities of Wisconsin |
|---|
| Milwaukee |
| Madison |
| Green Bay |
| Kenosha |
| Racine |
| Appleton |
| Waukesha |
| Eau Claire |
| Oshkosh |
| Janesville |
| West Allis |
| La Crosse |
| Sheboygan |
| Wauwatosa |
| Fond du Lac |
| New Berlin |
| Wausau |
| Brookfield |
| Menomonee Falls |
| Greenfield |
Major Land forms:
- Gogebic and Trap Ranges.
- Blue Hills.
- Margin of the northern ice lobes.
- Northern highlands.
- Central Sand Plains.
- Baraboo Hills.
- Lower Wisconsin River valley.
- Blue Mounds.
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Major rivers:
- Wisconsin River,
- Mississippi River,
- St. Croix River,
- Chippewa River
Major Lakes:
- Lake Michigan,
- Lake Superior,
- Lake Winnebago
Natural Resources:
Wisconsin’s most valuable natural resources are its water, soil, and climate. These make farming and dairying very profitable. Wisconsin’s forests, though not as valuable as they once were, still add a good share to the state’s income.
Major Geographical Features:
Biomes & Ecosystems:
Three major biomes converge in Wisconsin: the northern forests with their mix of hardwoods and conifers, the prairies, and the southern hardwood forests.
Oceans:
Atlanta ocean
Islands:
| Adventure Island |
| Big Sister Island |
| Big Susie Island |
| Birds Tree Island |
| Cana Island |
| Cat Island |
| Chambers Island |
| Detroit Island |
| Fish Island |
| Grassy Island |
| Gravel Island |
| Green Island |
| Hat Island |
| Hog Island |
Mountain Ranges:
- Timms Hill (State High Point)
- Perrot Ridge
- High Cliff
- Wildcat Mountain
- Rib Mountain
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Counties of Wisconsin:
| Milwaukee County |
| Dane County |
| Waukesha County |
| Brown County |
| Racine County |
| Outagamie County |
| Winnebago County |
| Kenosha County |
| Rock County |
| Marathon County |
| Washington County |
| La Crosse County |
| Sheboygan County |
| Eau Claire County |
| Walworth County |
| Fond du Lac County |
| St. Croix County |
| Ozaukee County |
| Dodge County |
| Jefferson County |
| Manitowoc County |
| Wood County |
| Portage County |
| Sauk County |
| Chippewa County |
| Columbia County |
| Grant County |
| Waupaca County |
| Calumet County |
| Monroe County |
| Barron County |
| Dunn County |
| Polk County |
| Douglas County |
| Pierce County |
| Shawano County |
| Marinette County |
| Oconto County |
| Green County |
| Oneida County |
| Clark County |
| Vernon County |
| Trempealeau County |
| Lincoln County |
| Door County |
| Juneau County |
| Waushara County |
| Iowa County |
| Vilas County |
| Jackson County |
| Kewaunee County |
| Taylor County |
| Adams County |
| Langlade County |
| Green Lake County |
| Richland County |
| Lafayette County |
| Sawyer County |
| Crawford County |
| Washburn County |
| Ashland County |
| Marquette County |
| Burnett County |
| Bayfield County |
| Rusk County |
| Price County |
| Buffalo County |
| Forest County |
| Pepin County |
| Iron County |
| Menominee County |
| Florence County |
See Also:
Web References:
