Detroit: One of the world's greatest automobile-manufacturing cities, Detroit is an international symbol of America's productive might. The spirit of Detroit--the automobile and the assembly line--has spread around the globe, profoundly changing the lives of millions of people. The French settled the city in 1701 and called it d'etroit or city "of straits," referring to the 27-mile Detroit River, which connects lakes Erie and St. Clair. The Detroit River, a segment of the international border between the United States and Canada, marks the only point where Canada lies directly south of the United States. Strategically located, Detroit was the objective of several major campaigns during the struggle for supremacy between the French and British. During the Revolutionary War the area served as Northwest headquarters for the British. The settlement took on new life following the War of 1812; the launching in 1818 of the first steam vessel on the Great Lakes and the subsequent expansion of shipbuilding and commerce has kept the city prosperious. However, at the turn of the 20th century Detroit was still a tree-shaded small town, busily engaged in making stoves, beer and carriages. This serenity was broken by Henry Ford's creation, a practical vehicle "propelled by power generated from within itself," the wheezing, sputtering, cranky Model T. Detroit was never the same afterwards. With the birth and growth of the automobile industry, the town burst its river-hugging confines and absorbed surrounding communities. To augment local manpower for the assembly lines, Detroit turned to Europe for help and soon became one of the largest cities in the United States. While still recovering from rapid growth and expansion, the city has recast its image. With such tags as the "Motor City" and the "automotive capital of the world" foremost in outsiders' minds, Detroiters are anxious to point out that the port of Detroit is one of the world's busiest inland ports and ranks high in customs collection. The Detroit area is a great steel center and a leader in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, office equipment, paint, rubber products, salt and more than half the garden seed used throughout the country. Detroit is proud of its sports and cultural activities. The city boasts a civic center complex, the Renaissance Center, a sports arena on the riverfront, an excellent park system and numerous theaters, museums and galleries.
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