Around 100,000 years ago, Native American tribes were drawn to Wisconsin’s land and waters. The eye-catching terrain formed around that same time during the Ice Age. This is also why many Wisconsin towns might leave you tongue-tied: their roots are in indigenous culture. Enrolled members of Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribal nations reside in tribal communities throughout the Northern part of the state and also in urban centers such as Milwaukee. 

French fur traders arrived during the 1650s and remained in what is now Wisconsin until the 1850s, enticed by the beaver population and the prospect of trading its pelts for other goods.

It’s no secret Wisconsin is a state where locals not only love their beer, they are blessed with many options of breweries to support. Today’s craft-brewery explosion (224 at last count) rides a wave of energy that must have also been felt during the mid-to late 1880s when beer barons from Europe emigrated to Milwaukee. Those breweries evolved into household names, such as Schlitz, Pabst, and Miller. Wisconsin condos for sale are often a short walk from or a quick drive to a craft brewery. Similarly, the state’s earlier settlers were likely just as captivated by easy access to water as today’s residents are—and this is partially why there are many lakefront condos for sale in Wisconsin.

In 1848, Wisconsin was the 30th state admitted to the union. Before that, the state co-existed with what is now Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and portions of the Dakotas as the Wisconsin Territory.

Wisconsin ranks in the upper half of U.S. states, at #23 with 65,496 square miles. With 5,852,490 residents, it’s the 21st most populated state, according to the World Population Review, with the densest populations in Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Racine), followed by Dane County (where the capital city of Madison is) and the Fox Valley (at 75,000, Appleton is the largest).

Wisconsin’s as much known for horseradish (particularly at Eau Claire’s Huntsinger Farms) and cranberries (the town of Warrens hosts festivals in early October) as it is artisan cheese. According to the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, 1,200 licensed cheesemakers produce 600 cheese varieties and continually place high at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, bringing home half of the awards, more than any other state. 

Companies headquartered in Wisconsin are not just in big cities. Lands’ End’s perch in tiny Dodgeville and Kohler Co. in the company town of Kohler are two examples. Still, Harley-Davidson, Briggs & Stratton, Johnson Controls, and Rockwell Automation are in Milwaukee, while American Family Insurance and Epic are in Madison. The University of Wisconsin, health-care systems, and state government are also large employers.

Wisconsin’s economy grows at about 2% per year, making it the 21stlargest state economy, bolstered by manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. 

Wisconsin’s four wildly disparate seasons are actually a good thing: people here like to get out and be active. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling and skiing (both cross-country and down-hill) during the winter is followed by fishing in spring—although ice fishing is also a popular sport—and hiking and bicycling in summer and fall.

Those new to Wisconsin often hear icy tales about low wind chills but wearing proper clothing makes it a non-issue. This four-season climate creates distinct periods for outdoor fun, such as choosing a pumpkin at the local patch or picking apples at an area orchard come fall, or enjoying Wisconsin’s music and cultural festivals during the summer.

Wisconsin averages 48 inches of snow annually, 20 inches above the national median. The Northern half of the state records the most snowfall. Don’t be scared of “Lake Effect Snow,” a meteorological event affecting communities along Lake Michigan with increased snowfall. This also means cool lake breezes on hot summer days. Snowstorms occur between January and March although it’s not unusual to see flurries in November or December, and maybe even a season-ending storm in early April.

June is the wettest month for rainfall and February the driest, adding up to around 34 inches per year.