Green Bay is located on Lake Michigan where the Fox River empties into the bay also named Green Bay. Early settlers and travelers included fur traders, French explorers, Jesuit missionaries and Native American Indians. In 1634, Green Bay became Wisconsin's first settlement. Explorer Samuel de Champlain, who was at this time the governor of New France in Quebec, Canada sent Jean Nicolet de Belleborne to explore the area. Upon arrival, Belleborne encountered the Winnebago Tribe and remained with them while he explored the waterways and established trade alliances. The French were driven out of the area in the mid 1700s by the English and Green Bay remained under English rule until after the War of 1812. In the 1800s, lumbering and iron smelting were the main occupations of the area. Fort Howard, established by Americans in 1816, and the borough of Green Bay, established in 1838, merged in 1895. The city now boasts over 29,000 acres. Over the years, the area has become a major hub of trade, both domestic and international. Green Bay is the seat of Brown County, WI. and is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is Green Bay's largest park where children are allowed to interact with the wildlife. Lambeau Field was the first stadium built exclusively for an NFL team.
