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North Dakota Facts

North Dakota Facts
The State of North Dakota is located in the upper mid-west United States. It shares state borders with South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota. It shares an international border with the Canadian provinces Manitoba and Saskatchewan. North Dakota is the 19th largest state with 70,700 square miles of land. It is the 48th most populated state with approximately 723,393 residents and is ranked as the 47th most densely populated (4th least) U.S. state. Native Americans inhabited the region for thousands of years prior to European settlement. The French-Canadian explorer La Verendrye reached the area in 1738, but it wasn't until the late 1800s that real settlement began, marked by the railroads introduction into the area. North Dakota became the 39th state when it was admitted to the Union in 1889.
Interesting North Dakota Facts:
The name Dakota originated from the Sioux Indians = it is believed to mean 'allies'.
North Dakota's state nicknames are the 'Peace Garden State', the 'Flickertail State', and the 'Roughrider State'.
The state motto for North Dakota is 'Liberty and union, now and forever, and one inseparable'.
North Dakota's state song is the 'North Dakota Hymn'.
North Dakota residents are referred to as North Dakotans.
North Dakota's capital city is Bismarck and its largest city is Fargo.
North Dakota's state flag was officially adopted in 1911, and features a bald eagle in the center holding a ribbon that reads 'E Pluribus Unum' which means 'Out of Many, One'. This is also the motto of the United States.
North Dakota's state bird is the western meadowlark and its state fish is the northern pike.
The Nokota breed is the state horse. This breed descends from the Sioux Indian Chief Sitting Bull's war ponies.
North Dakota's state flower is the wild prairie rose and the state tree is the American elm. The American elm tree can grow as tall as 120 feet or more.
The state dance in North Dakota is the square dance.
Major industry in North Dakota includes mining for lignite and soft coal; electrical power generation, and cattle.
Major agriculture in North Dakota includes wheat, barley, flaxseed and oats.
Major rivers in North Dakota include the Red River, the Missouri River and James River.
Major lakes in North Dakota include Devils Lake, Lake Ohe and Lake Sakakawea.
Devils Lake is North Dakota's largest natural body of water.
North America's geographical center is in the town of Rugby, North Dakota. The monument features both Canadian and American flags and is 15 feet tall.
Sitting Bull's original grave is located on the western edge of Fort Yates, North Dakota.
More sunflowers are grown in North Dakota than in any other U.S. state.
In 1883 President Theodore Roosevelt first visited North Dakota to hunt bison.
The only synthetic natural gas producer in the U.S. is located in Beulah, North Dakota.
New Liepzig, North Dakota holds an Oktoberfest celebration each year. This town is referred to as 'The Small, Friendly German Town on the Dakota Prairie'.
During the Lewis and Clark expedition, they encountered grizzly bears for the first time in North Dakota.
A Hollywood movie was made in 1996 that featured North Dakota, and was called 'Fargo'. A TV show of the same name has also been created, based on the original black-comedy film.


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