The USA is such a wide territory that you can explore it and experience different landscapes, different time zones, and different climates. The entire United States area is almost 10 million km2, made up of mountains, grasslands, deserts, but also cities and metropolis.
When we think about travelling in the US, usually our minds go to the main and more popular cities, such as New York or Washington, but there are so many more places to visit in the United States: it is enough to get out of the normal touristic way of getting information or moving around the cities to know and enjoy a different (and true) American life.
Detroit and its French Origin
Detroit was, initially, the name of the river that runs along the actual Detroit city. It dates back to 18th century, during the French colonization, and it refers to the fact that this river is like a strait between Huron Lake and Erie Lake. It became an important settlement for fur trading. After a period of English supremacy, Detroit became part of the United States at the end of 1700.
After the Civil War, Detroit was rebuilt according to a very refined architecture and became a strategic city for transportation, industries, and shipyard.
Detroit and its Past as Car Birthplace
At the end of 19th century, Henry Ford built his first car in Detroit and started his industry. Soon Detroit became the capital city of car production. Many people moved to Detroit, either to work in the car or in the weapon’s industry. Most of the immigrants were black and estrange the white people working in there.
The ‘70s oil crisis shook the whole car industry in the USA, Detroit included, which never really recovered from it.
Continue reading “Travelling Around in the North US: Detroit”