Capital: Pierre

Governor: William J. Janklow, R (to Jan. 2003)

Lieut. Governor: Carole Hillard, R (to Jan. 3003)

Senators: Thomas A. Daschle, D (to Jan. 2005); Tim Johnson, D (to Jan. 2003)

Atty. General: Mark Barnett, R (to Jan. 2003)

Secy. of State: Joyce Hazeltine, R (to Jan. 2003)

Auditor: Vern Larson, R (to Jan. 2003)

Treasurer: Richard Butler, D (to Jan. 2003)

Organized as territory: March 2, 1861

Entered Union (rank): Nov. 2, 1889 (40)

Present constitution adopted: 1889

Motto: Under God the people rule

State Symbols:

Exploration of this area began in 1743 when Louis-Joseph and François Verendrye came from France in search of a route to the Pacific.

The U.S. acquired the region as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and it was explored by Lewis and Clark in 1804-06. Fort Pierre, the first permanent settlement, was established in 1817.

Settlement of South Dakota did not begin in earnest until the arrival of the railroad in 1873 and the discovery of gold in the Black Hills the following year.

Agriculture is a cultural and economic mainstay, but it no longer leads the state in employment or share of gross state product. Durable-goods manufacturing and private services have evolved as the drivers of the economy. Tourism is also a booming industry in the state, generating approximately $1.25 billion worth of economic activity each year.

South Dakota is the second largest producer of flaxseed and sunflower seed in the nation. It is the third largest producer of hay and rye.

South Dakota is the nation's second leading producer of gold and the Homestake Mine is the richest in the U.S. Other minerals produced include berylium, bentonite, granite, silver, and uranium.

The Black Hills are the highest mountains east of the Rockies. Mt. Rushmore, in this group, is famous for the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt, which were carved in granite by Gutzon Borglum. A memorial to Crazy Horse is also being carved in granite near Custer.

Other tourist attractions include the Badlands; the World's Only Corn Palace, in Mitchell; and the city of Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok was killed in 1876 and where gambling was recently legalized.

Nickname: Mount Rushmore State; Coyote State

Origin of name: From the Sioux tribe, meaning "allies"

10 largest cities (1999 est.): Sioux Falls, 116,720; Rapid City, 58,268; Aberdeen, 25,019; Watertown, 20,063; Brookings, 17,286; Mitchell, 14,232; Yankton, 14,079; Pierre, 13,357; Huron, 11,742; Vermillion, 10,066

Land area: 75,898 sq mi. (196,575 sq km)

Geographic center: In Hughes Co., 8 mi. NE of Pierre

Number of counties: 67 (64 county governments)

Largest county by population and area: Minnehaha, 142,821 (1999 est.); Meade, 3,471 sq mi.

State forests: None*

State parks: 13 plus 39 recreational areas (87,269 ac.)**

Residents: South Dakotan

1999 resident population est.: 733,133

1990 resident census population (rank): 696,004 (45). Male: 342,498; Female: 353,506. White: 637,515 (91.6%); Black: 3,258 (0.5%); American Indian: 50,575 (7.3%); Asian: 3,123 (0.4%); Other race: 1,533 (0.2%); Hispanic: 5,252 (0.8%). 1990 percent population under 18: 28.5; 65 and over: 14.7; median age: 32.4.