Explore a destination located in Minnesota, United States
Minnesota, also known as "The Land of 10,000 Lakes," or just simply "The Land of Lakes," is an established territory of the United States.[10] In 1858, Minnesota became the 32nd state to be added to the country.[9] Minnesota is one of the northernmost states in the U.S. Minnesota meets the Canadian border to the north, meeting the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba. To the west is North and South Dakota, and to the South is Iowa. Finally, Wisconsin is located on the nation's eastern border. There is a total of around 5.75 million people that currently live in the state.[7] Minnesota is estimated to be comprised of about one-third of naturally growing forests, ultimately left untouched by humans.[5] National forests and state parks can be found in many areas of the state. Native Americans lived in the territory that is now outlined as Minnesota until settlers entered the area around the early 1800s.[9] The weather in the state tends to be hot in the summers and cold in the winters. Depending on where one is located, temperatures can reach extreme numbers, especially during the colder months of the year. During the winter, snow is common.[2] One of the largest malls in The United States can be found in Minneapolis called The Mall of America.[3]
The state of Minnesota received its name from the Dakota Indians, who passed it along to the early settlers when they came in the 1600s. While the Native Americans were interacting with the settlers, they showed them what is now known as the Minnesota River. In reference to the name of the river, they dripped a drop of milk into clear water, calling it "mní sóta," which means "clear blue water."[10]
As of the 2019 United States Census, there were roughly 5.6 million people residing in Minnesota. About 83.8 percent of homeowners in the state are White or of English descent, with the next racial majority being Black or of African American descent—about seven percent. The most common religion in Minnesota is Protestant beliefs.[7]
Minnesota is often referred to as the "Land of Lakes" due to the fact that there are approximately 11,842 lakes within the state limits. The largest and most well-known lake in the state is Lake Superior, whose shores are found on the northeastern side of the state. At Lake Superior, many visitors find enjoyment in boating and spending time on the water. Beyond marine activities, there are also several campsites, hiking trails, and fishing lagoons near Lake Superior.[4]
Other lakes that can be found in the region include Lake Itasca, Mille Lacs Lake, Lake of the Woods, and more. There are also a number of state parks and national forests. Connected to Lake Itasca is the Itasca State Park and the Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary Scientific and Natural Area. Gooseberry Falls State Park is located in the northeastern part of Minnesota, within the approximation of Lake Superior. Another state park found in Minnesota would be Tettegouche State Park. These places tend to attract many of the visitors that come to the state.[3]
Minnesota also has several man-made attractions that may interest a variety of people. One such place is called The Mall of America. The Mall of America first opened in 1992 and has remained one of the largest malls in The United States ever since. There are over 500 stores located inside The Mall of America, as well as a wide variety of restaurants, theaters, and more. Upwards of over 400 events take place each year at the mall regarding various types of celebrations. The Mall of America is also known as a place where Minnesota Vikings fans hold celebrations after the football team has won a game. The Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is found in between Minneapolis and St. Paul. At the zoo, there is a large assortment of animals on display and various activities that people of all ages can take part in. One activity that tends to be popular is feeding the giraffes. The conservatory is a large glass building that hosts an assortment of unique and rare plants. Both locations are free to enter.[3]
Minnesota consists of many forested areas with different types of trees and foliage growing in them. There are three types of forests found in Minnesota, namely needleleaf forests, hardwood forests, and tallgrass prairies. The needleleaf forests contain trees like pine, spruce, fir in the dry areas, and tamarack in the bog-like parts of the land. Many of these forests can be found in the northeastern portion of the state limits. In the southeastern side of the established territory all the way up to the Canadian border, there are hardwood forests consisting of oak, maple, and cottonwood trees. South and west of the hardwood forests are where the tallgrass prairies can be found.[5] There are also a number of native flowers and shrubs that can be found in nature, such as Butterfly Milkweed, Black-Eyed Susan, Purple Prairie Clover, and more.[6]
Minnesota typically has a humid continental climate. This means that summers tend to be hot and humid, while winters are usually cold and snowy. The average elevation of the state is 370 meters, or about 1,214 feet, above the ocean. Due to the elevation and climate, temperatures in the state can reach extreme highs and lows, though this is an uncommon occurrence. Summers in Minnesota tend to be in between warm and hot, with temperatures occasionally reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 32 degrees Celsius. Winters are often cold and snowy. During the coldest month of the year in Minnesota—January—, temperature averages surrounding Minneapolis tend to be between 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.2 degrees Celsius), and 24 degrees Fahrenheit (-4.4 degrees Celsius). The cities and counties in the north can see temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit (about -34.4 degrees Celsius), or lower. The southern areas are warmer during the winter and see higher temperatures in the summer. The highest recorded temperature in Minnesota is held by the city of Moorhead, which reached 114 degrees Fahrenheit (45.6 degrees Celsius), on July 6th in 1936. The lowest recorded temperature came from the town of Tower, which saw the temperature reach -60 degrees Fahrenheit (about -51.1 degrees Celsius), on February 2nd, 1996.[2]
A wide variety of woodland animals can be found in the surrounding forest. Some of the more common animals that inhabit the wild include foxes, deer, porcupines, woodpeckers, sparrows, and more. Wolves, black bears, and bobcats can be found in the northern areas of Minnesota. The walleye is the official state fish and can be found in many of the lakes. Fishermen can also catch northern pike, bass, various types of trout, and other fish.[5]
The state capital of Minnesota is the city of St. Paul, which is located next to the biggest city in the state, Minneapolis. These cities are the most heavily populated area in the state and are often referred to as the "Twin Cities" due to their close approximation.[4] Both cities are located on the southeastern edge of Minnesota, near the border of Minnesota's neighboring state, Wisconsin. This border follows the St. Croix River.[12]
Before the settlers arrived, the territory that is now considered Minnesota was inhabited by Native Americans belonging to the Dakota tribe. The Dakotas had spent many years in the area hunting buffalo, fishing, and farming vegetation like corn, beans, and wild rice. The Anishinabe people arrived after the Dakota tribes and eventually took over the lakes and forests of the northern territory. The Anishinabe tribes lived in a similar fashion to the Dakota people, but they also traded with settlers, obtaining metal tools, cloth, blankets, and weapons, allowing them to take control of more land.[9]
During the late 1600s, a group of French fur traders, also called voyageurs, arrived in the area and settled there. They traded with the Native Americans and lived in relative peace until the early 1800s. As the 1800s progressed, The United States government forced the Native Americans to sign treaties that gave the government more of the land. Tensions increased until, in 1862, a war broke out between some of the Dakota tribes and the settlers. The conflict lasted six weeks before the fighting stopped, and the Dakota Indians were forced to leave Minnesota. This six-week war became known as The Dakota Conflict.[9]
On May 11th, 1858, The United States added the Minnesota territory to the Union. Shortly after it became a part of the Union, it adopted a state motto. The motto is still used and reads, "L'Étoile du Nord," which translates to "The Star of the North" in French.[11]
There are a number of successful businesses that are based and operate out of Minnesota. A majority of them are found in the Minneapolis area. According to Fortune 500, in the year 2021, Best Buy was the third-largest corporation in the state. Best Buy is a company that sells a wide variety of electronics. The retail store company known as Target is another business that was within the top 50 of the Fortune 500 list that is based in Minnesota.[8]
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