Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 11th most populous city in the United States. It has a population of 871,121 and is 138 square miles in size.[1] Founded by French explorer Antoine Cadillac on July 24, 1701 as Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, the city reached a peak population of about 1.85 million in 1950, but has now declined to less than half that.[2][3]
Politics
As the racial makeup of the city has become more black since the past few decades, Detroit has become designated as America's most liberal city and is predominantly Democrat.[4] Despite this, most of Detroit's suburbs are conservative.
History
The first permanent structure built in Detroit was a Catholic church.
In 1979, Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein was given a key to the city after donating $450,000 to a Christian church.[5]
Detroit is known for being the center of the American auto industry, as well as the home of many long-suffering football fans.