Located in the Great Lakes region of the U.S., Wisconsin is a state with a wealth of natural resources. Millions of acres of hardwood and coniferous forests abound with wildlife, while the thousands of rivers, streams, and glacial lakes teem with fish. The state of Wisconsin takes its name from the Wisconsin River, which was actually dubbed Ouisconsin by French explorers. The name comes from an Ojibwa word which means, depending on whom you ask, "Red Stone Place," "Great Rock," or "Gathering of the Waters."