Detroit

Detroit is the most populous city in Michigan, located in the southeastern part of the state along the Detroit River, which forms part of the border with Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is the county seat of Wayne County and a core city of the Detroit–Windsor region. The city sits at the junction of the Great Lakes and is connected to Canada by several bridges and a tunnel.

Founded in 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac as Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, Detroit grew as a trading post and later became the cradle of the American automotive industry. In the early 20th century, mass production methods and the work of pioneers such as Henry Ford helped establish Detroit as the leading center of vehicle manufacturing, earning it the nickname Motor City.

Detroit experienced significant growth in the mid-20th century but faced economic decline in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The city filed for municipal bankruptcy in 2013, the largest in U.S. history at the time, and exited in 2014 with a plan to restore services and revitalize neighborhoods. Since then, Detroit has pursued diversification, with healthcare, finance, technology, logistics, and education forming key sectors, while the Port of Detroit supports cross-border trade with Canada.

Culturally, Detroit is known for Motown Records, founded in the city in 1959, which profoundly influenced popular music. The city is also home to major sports teams—the Lions (NFL), Pistons (NBA), Tigers (MLB), and Red Wings (NHL)—and notable institutions such as Wayne State University and the Detroit Institute of Arts.