Kritana C. Says...

     The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is one of the most beautiful, scenic areas in the country, and definitely a prime tourism location for those interested in natural beauty. A very rural area, only about 3% of Michigan's residents call the "U.P." their home. The winters are very cold, even harsh at times, and the summers are short but warm. Although the summer weather and gorgeous colors of fall are breathtaking, the winter months are when the U.P. gets the most tourists. During the winter the ground is blanketed by a long-lasting layer of thick white snow, giving the residents and visitors many opportunities for fun in the snow. Home to one of the largest ski jumps in the world, the Upper Peninsula is internationally-renowned for the annual ski jumps competition. While some of the best skiiers in the world take to the slopes, the residents socialize down below, and thousands come to this huge gathering of "yoopers". The area is full of very friendly people, and small, tight-knit communities. Due in some part to our geographical isolation, the people of the U.P., or "yoopers", have developed their own culture, unique to our special part of the world. 
    A very big part of "yooper" culture is hunting and fishing. A great majority of those who reside in the Upper Peninsula partake in these activities, taking advantage of the wonderful and plentiful wildlife in the forestry that is 84% of the U.P's land. Many visitors to our region also enjoy partaking in these seasonal activities. Marquette is the largest city in the U.P., as a college city with 20,000 residents. The Upper Peninsula is a great place to great away from hum-drum of daily life, offering a place for relaxation and exploration. Although sometimes overlooked when compared to all of the other possibilities, the Upper Peninsula is definitely an excellent choice for a tourism spot and offers much, much more than what it may seem to at first glance.