This state is split north-south between the Superior Upland, part of the Laurentian Highland or Canadian Shield, and the Central Lowland, part of the Interior Plains. Above its northwest is a corner of Lake Superior, and to its east is Lake Michigan. The Mississippi River makes its southwestern border.
On the shore of Lake Michigan is the industrial port of Milwaukee.(1)
This state is in the part of North America in which English-speakers and Christians are the majority.
Much of Wisconsin--the north and the center--spoke Algonquian languages. Pontiac's multi-ethnic religion and war against the European invaders spread to the eastern part of Wisconsin. Another local former religion included medicine societies and calumet dances.
Siouan languages were spoken in two parts of this state. In the west were speakers of Sioux and along the lake were speakers of Winnebago. The area's old religion included the Plains Vision Quest, Sun Dance and Sacred Pipe. A post contact resistance religion was led by the Winnebago Prophet.
The French were the first Europeans in the area, traveling by waterways. The English-speakers claimed the area after the United Kingdom defeated France, and subsequently violently displaced the indiginous inhabitants.
west of the center and north of the state
northeast, and--across Lake Michigan--east
south
southwest
(1) South of it, near the Illinois border are the northernmost suburbs of Chicago.