Michigan is bigger than Illinois.
When comparing the total area of the two Midwestern states, Michigan encompasses a larger land and water area than Illinois. This difference is significant when looking at their overall geographic footprint.
Michigan's total area is 56,538 square miles. In contrast, Illinois spans 55,518 square miles. This makes Michigan approximately 1,020 square miles larger than Illinois. The Great Lakes state's expansive size is partly due to its significant water area, though the provided figures typically represent total area including both land and water.
Below is a quick comparison of their sizes:
| State | Total Area (Square Miles) |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 56,538 |
| Illinois | 55,518 |
For additional context, Michigan is also larger than neighboring states such as Iowa (55,857 square miles) and Wisconsin (54,157 square miles), further solidifying its standing as one of the larger states in the region. Understanding the total area of states provides insight into their scale and geographic significance within the United States.
For more details on state sizes, you can refer to reputable sources such as USA Today.
