Minnesota State Geography

Custom Search

State Geography:

So you want to know about Minnesota? Here are some highlights! Also check out the links to other sites about Minnesota.

Minnesota State Facts

Population (1994): 4,567,000 (20th in size)

State size: 84,402 square miles (12th in size)

State Capital: Saint Paul (named after Saint Paul to whom Father Lucian Galtier dedicated a log church around which the settlement grew)

Major cities: Bloomington, Duluth, Minneapolis, Rochester and Saint Paul

Admission to union: The 32nd State

Date entered the union: May 11, 1858

Origin of state name: Named after the Indian word "Minisota", meaning "white water"

Nicknames: The North Star State

Bordering states: Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa, with Canada to the north

State bird: Loon

State flower: Showy Lady's Slipper

Motto: The Star of the North

Geographic Landmarks	Top of Page

Points of Interest	Top of Page

Major Industries	Top of Page
Minnesota is a major agricultural state including dairy farming, corn, wheat, oats and soybeans. Other industries include food processing, iron mining, and pulp and paper.

Historical Highlights	Top of Page
Minnesota was first settled by the French in the late 1600's. It became part of the U.S. with the Louisiana Purchase.

Population and Culture	Top of Page
Many people from Norway and Sweden settled in the western part of the state in the 1880s and 1890s. This still has a major influence on the culture.

Climate	Top of Page

Interesting Tidbits	Top of Page

Minnesota State Flag

Ready for a Quiz? Try this!