The Upper Peninsula contains 29% of the land area of Michigan but only 3% of its total population; at the height of the mining and timber era in the early 20th century it had as much as 11% of the state's population. Residents are nicknamed Yoopers (derived from "UP-ers") and have a strong regional identity, enhanced by the perception that the rest of the state neglects them. Proposals have been made to establish the Upper Peninsula as a separate state but have failed to gain traction. Its largest cities are Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, Escanaba, Menominee, Houghton, and Iron Mountain. Because of the surrounding waters and northern latitude, it receives more snow than most of the eastern U.S. The heavily forested land, soil types, short growing season, and logistical factors (e.g. long distance to market, lack of infrastructure) make the Upper Peninsula poorly suited for agriculture. The region is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, wolves, coyotes, deer, foxes, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, eagles, hawks, and owls.
the upper peninsula contains 29% of the land area of michigan but only 3% of its total population; at the height of the mining and timber era in the early 20th century it had as much as 11% of the state's population residents are nicknamed yoopers (derived from "up-ers") and have a strong regional identity enhanced by the perception that the rest of the state neglects them proposals have been made to establish the upper peninsula as a separate state but have failed to gain traction its largest cities are marquette sault ste marie escanaba menominee houghton and iron mountain because of the surrounding waters and northern latitude it receives more snow than most of the eastern us the heavily forested land soil types short growing season and logistical factors (eg long distance to market lack of infrastructure) make the upper peninsula poorly suited for agriculture the region is home to a variety of wildlife including moose wolves coyotes deer foxes bears mountain lions bobcats eagles hawks and owls