North Dakota was explored in 1738-40 by French Canadians led by sieur de la Verendrye. In 1803, the U.S. acquired most of North Dakota from France in the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis and Clark explored the region in 1804-06 and the first settlements were made at Pembina in 1812 by Scottish and Irish families while this area was still in dispute between the U.S. and Great Britain.

In 1818, the U.S. obtained the northeastern part of North Dakota by treaty with Great Britain and took possession of Pembina in 1823.

North Dakota is the most rural of all the states, with farms covering more than 90% of the land. North Dakota ranks first in the nation's production of spring and durum wheat, and the state's coal and oil reserves are plentiful.

Other agricultural products include barley, rye, sunflowers, dry edible beans, honey, oats, flaxseed, sugar beets, hay, beef cattle, sheep, and hogs.

Recently, manufacturing industries have grown, especially food processing and farm equipment. The state also produces natural gas, lignite, salt, clay, sand, and gravel.

The Garrison Dam on the Missouri River provides extensive irrigation and produces 400,000 kilowatts of electricity for the Missouri Basin areas.

Known for its waterfowl, grouse, and deer hunting and bass, trout, and pike fishing, North Dakota has 20 state parks and recreation areas. Points of interest include the International Peace Garden near Dunseith, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site near Williston, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in Stanton, the State Capitol at Bismarck, the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.

Nickname: Sioux State; Flickertail State; Peace Garden State; Rough Rider State

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

10 16st cities (2005 est.): Fargo, 90,672; Bismarck, 57,377; Grand Forks, 49,792; Minot, 34,984; West Fargo, 19,487; Mandan, 17,225; Dickinson, 15,666; Jamestown, 14,826; Williston, 12,193; Wahpeton, 8,220

Land area: 70,704 sq mi. (183,123 sq km)

Geographic center: In Sheridan Co., 5 mi. SW of McClusky

Number of counties: 53

Largest county by population and area: Cass, 118,405 (1999 est.); McKenzie, 2,742 sq mi.

State parks: 17

Residents: North Dakotan

2005 resident population est.: 636,677

2000 resident census population (rank): 642,200 (47). Male: 320,524 (49.9%); Female: 321,676 (50.1%). White: 593,181 (92.4%); Black: 3,916 (0.6%); American Indian: 31,329 (4.9%); Asian: 3,606 (0.6%); Other race: 2,540 (0.4%); Two or more races: 7,398 (1.2%); Hispanic/Latino: 7,786 (1.2%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 75.0; 65 and over: 14.7; median age: 36.2.

Capital: Bismarck

Governor: John Hoeven, R

Lieut. Governor: Jack Dalrymple, R

Senators: Kent Conrad, D; Byron L. Dorgan, D

Secy. of State: Alvin A. Jaeger, R

Auditor: Robert R. Peterson, R

Treasurer: Kelly Schmidt, R

Atty. General: Wayne Stenehjem, R

Organized as territory: March 2, 1861

Entered Union (rank): Nov. 2, 1889 (39)

Present constitution adopted: 1889

Motto: Liberty and union, now and forever: one and inseparable

State Symbols:

Tree: American Elm (1947)

Bird: Western Meadowlark (1947)

Song: "North Dakota Hymn" (1947)

Fish: northern Pike (1969)

Grass: Western Wheatgrass (1977)

Fossil: Teredo Petrified Wood (1967)

Beverage: Milk (1983)

State March: Spirit of the Land (1975)

Flower: Wild Prairie Rose (1907)

Equine: Nokota Horse (1993)

Dance: Square Dance (1995)