Located along the Detroit River North of Windsor, Ontario in Southeastern Michigan Science City covers eight counties: Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne. Together, the population of these eight counties is roughly 6.8 million people, making Science City the sixth largest metropolitan area in the United States. By way of comparison New York city’s and London UK’s populations are both some eight million. Science City covers some 1,200 square miles. By way of comparison New York City covers 469 square miles, Chicago 234 square miles, Los Angeles 503 square miles, and London UK 607 square miles.

Science City is a competitor and leader in research and development in a wide variety of industries, among them alternative energies, chemical, pharmaceutical, communication, computer science, aerospace. Some of the United States’ most advanced labs can be found here.

Science City is served by three daily newspapers, eight television stations and 59 radio stations. There are nine universities, seven colleges, ten community college campuses and dozens of trade and vocational school located in the Science City area. The area is served by 75 hospitals. State-of-the-art health care is available at either of the area’s two teaching and research centers: Detroit Medical Center and The University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. Five professional sports teams and 3 NCAA Division 1 college teams play in Science City’s numerous arenas and stadiums.

CULTURE AND EVENTS

Science City possesses a unique look and feel in architecture, technology and fashion. One of the more unusual clothing fashions is the wearing of masks. It is not unusual to see people wearing domino masks and black eye make up, for example. It is also not unusual to see others wearing clothing mimicking a person’s favorite hero. Super hero t-shirts are hugely popular as is the cosplay culture.

Science City has more electric cars per capita than any other city in the world. It also boasts some of the most creative car customization garages as well, with an emphasis on creating fantastic looking vehicles people imagine super heroes and villains might drive.

Science City hosts several festivals during the year. Among them are:

The Woodward Dream Cruise. For twenty years The Woodward Dream Cruise has been the world’s largest one day car show, involving some 40,000 cars and up to 1.5 million people. It takes place in mid-August and stretches for miles along Woodward Avenue. It is interesting to note that a city that possesses the most electric cars per capita hosts one of the world’s greatest celebrations of classic automobiles.

Arts, Eats and Beats: AB&E is a four day charity festival taking place near the end of Summer. It involves bands on numerous stages, art exhibits and food stalls. It is a family event and is relatively inexpensive.

Supercon: Originally begun as a series of costume enthusiasts convening in friendly competition, Supercon has exploded into the greatest costume and super hero convention in the world. Cosplayers, professional and amateur make-up artists, comic book fans all descend upon Motor City. Every year guest stars show up, usually retired or minor super heroes, although in 2013 reformed “super villains” Flashpoint and The Baffler attended, both to promote their books “Feed The Fire” and “Slight of Man”.

NOTE: The Woodward Dream Cruise and Arts, Beats & Eats are actual events that take place annually in the Metro Detroit area.