
Van Buren County is located in the southwestern part of the lower peninsula, bordered on the northwest by Lake Michigan and traversed by I-94 and I-196. The county contains 611 square miles and is the 45th largest in the state. The county seat is Paw Paw, where one of the area's fine wineries is located.
About half the county's land is in farms and is included in the state's fruit and truck belt. Most of the agricultural receipts are from crops, including apples, blueberries, tart cherries, grapes, asparagus, green beans, and soybeans. Food processing is the primary manufacturing activity. An abundance of outdoor activities are available, as are wine-tasting tours. South Haven, a city of 5,700 located on Lake Michigan, is noted for its festivals and tourist attractions.