Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gr_skyline.jpg
Author: King-of-no-pants


Grand Rapids is a city in Kent Couny, Michigan. It is situated by the banks of the Grand River, at an average elevation of 610 ft (186 m), about 40 miles to the east of Lake Michigan. Grand Rapids covers 45.3 sq mi (117.3 sq km) and has a population of 188,000 within a metropolitan area of 774,000 people. It is the second largest city in Michigan after Detroit. It observes the Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) and in summer the Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4).

Heartside Historic District, Grand Rapids
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HeartsideHistoricDistrictBGrandRapidsMI.jpg
Author: Andrew Jameson


Grand Rapids experiences a humid continental climate impacted by Lake Michigan. During winter, there may be lake effect snowstorms while in summer, the temperature is moderated by the lake. Warmest month is July, with an average high temperature of 82.3°F (27.94°C) while January is the coldest month, with average low temperature of 15.6°F (-9.1°C). Snow can be expected from November to March, and can be quite heavy in December and January. Wettest month is September, with 4.28 in (108.7 mm) of precipitation.

Traditional homeland of the Ottawa Indians, the Grand Rapids area saw the arrival of the first Europeans in the form of missionaries and fur traders, at the turn of the 19th century. The city was founded by a trader, Louis Campau, in 1826. Having made his foothold on the land, he brought his family and purchased some 72 acres of the area from the federal government. He called his land Grand Rapids, and today it forms much of the downtown part of the city.

Grand Rapids Public Library
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GR_Library.jpg
Author: Jesse Scott Munroe


The Grand Rapids settlement was officially made a village in 1838, and then a city in 1850. As with other cities in the region such as Detroit and South Bend, Grand Rapids was involved in the automobile industry. It was the home of Austin Automobile Company from 1901 until 1921.

Today Grand Rapids is a modern city with a number of high-rise landmarks. Its economy is based on a number of sectors including furniture, automobile, aviation and health care. Major companies based in the city includes Alticor (Amway), Spectrum Health and Spartan Stores.

Visiting Grand Rapids

Interstate 96 and 196 as well as US Highway 131 are the main highways linking Grand Rapids with the rest of the country. You can also fly to Grand Rapids from major cities in the United States, landing at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR).

First (Park) Congregational Church, Grand Rapids
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:First%28Park%29CongregationalChurchGrandRapidsMI.jpg
Author: Andrew Jameson

Places of Interest in Grand Rapids

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