Detroit

Detroit is the oldest city in the Midwest region of the United States. It is the United States' 11th most populous city. Also recognized as the Motor City, the booming industries have successfully attracted flocks of immigrants. Located along the Detroit River, between Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, in southeastern Michigan, Detroit is the capital seat of Wayne County and the main center of a tri-county industrial zone. Detroit is spread over a total area of 370.2 km². Also known as D-Town or The D, Detroit has perhaps the strongest footing in live music and theater, which increases the city’s per capita terms drastically. The founders of the Detroit belonged to different cultures who combined their originality, creativity and diligence to build one of the leading manufacturing centers in the world. This is due to their efforts that the city grew into a vibrant metropolis with a strong sense of community. Detroit, Michigan has a wonderfully rich history. In the 1600's, France began establishing forts at strategic locations in North America to establish domination on trade and to keep the British folk away. In 1701, Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac and his men established a fur trading post and erected a Fort at the Detroit River to protect the waterways against the British.

The river was extensive enough to provide a defense. In 1760, Detroit succumbed to the British and departed for Saint Louis. Dutch, Scottish and immigrants of other races replaced the French people. In 1805, Detroit was named capital of the Michigan Territory. From 1805 to 1847 the town was the territorial and state capitol of Michigan. Though Detroit fell to the British for a short time during the War of 1812, but it was again reoccupied a year later. The town was integrated as a city in 1815. Following the integration, Detroit witnessed less feuds and combats, causing the city to gear towards growth and prosperity. With the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, Detroit emerged as a key transportation center. The city attracted many new immigrants and trade with the east coast flourished. In the mid of 19th century the city significantly grew in the shipping, shipbuilding and manufacturing industries. Moreover, many small automotive factories had been established in Michigan. One of the automotive factories was started by Henry Ford in 1903. He revolutionized the automotive industry and helped Detroit region to become home to the major U.S. automobile manufacturers. The three main manufacturers in the United States, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler all have their headquarters in the Detroit area. One of the highlights of Detroit's musical history was the success of Motown Records during the 1960s and early 1970s. The city is also regarded as the typical Rock 'n Roll town. In the recent years, Detroiters have shown inclination towards gritty and hip music due to the modern ambassadors as the White Stripes, Eminem, Royce Da 5'9", the Electric Six, and Kid Rock. Detroit is also considered the birthplace of techno music. The city hosts a large electronic music festival in Hart Plaza every year during spring.

The city also hosts North American International Auto Show, Downtown Hoedown country music festival, DEMF/Movement/Fuse-In electronic music festival, Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival, Comerica Tastefest, Detroit Thunder Fest hydroplane race, Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival, Concert of Colors diverse music festival, Woodward Dream Cruise, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. In 1997 the Automotive Hall of Fame was founded to celebrate achievements in the industry. The collection of cars at the Henry Ford Museum focuses on the technological developments of the 1900s.The other tourist attractions in the city are Greenfield Village, The Detroit Historical Museum, Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History. The Detroit Institute of Arts is the fifth largest fine arts museum in the nation and showcases the original works by Rembrandt, Matisse, Picasso and Van Gogh. For the music lovers a trip to the Motown Historical Museum and Fox Theatre is must. The hometown sports teams of the city are Detroit's NHL champion hockey team, the Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers play at Comerica Park, and the Lions football team has new digs at Ford Field. Wayne State Univ. and the Univ. of Detroit Mercy are among the city’s finest educational institutions. Detroit is one of the most crime-ridden cities in the United States due to widespread middle-class flight, poverty, de facto segregation of the region, and unemployment.