Study Overseas

North & South Dakota

A Friendly State

Travel across the plains and follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark to the great plains of North Dakota, known for being not only friendly, but safe as well. Relive the days of the wild west and attend a rodeo or Indian powwow. North Dakotans are proud of their heritage and celebrate the things that make them different, yet they welcome and celebrate those things which they share with others. During their Indian powwows, North Dakotans dance in a circle as a symbol of the different cultures that intervene and live harmoniously together. With a casual atmosphere, both in dress and attitude, North Dakotans welcome any culture or heritage to their circle.

Universities

North Dakota has an excellent education system and are always rated as one of the highest in the region. With 11 public colleges and universities, five tribal community colleges, and four private schools, North Dakota has a lot to offer any student from any background. North Dakota State University in Fargo and University of North Dakota in Grand Forks are among the most popular universities.

North Dakota Fact File

Nicknames: Peace Garden State, Roughrider State, Norse Dakota

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

Capital: Bismarck

Population: 642,200

State Bird: Western Meadowlark

State Fossil: Teredo Petrified Wood

State Dance: Square Dance

State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose

Website: www.nd.gov

Did You Know?

Dakota comes from the Indian word meaning "friend."

North Dakota is the only state in the nation never to have an earthquake.

It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.

North Dakota grows more sunflowers than any other state.

The dinosaur museum in Dickenson holds the worlds 16st intact triceratops's skull.

It weighs 1,500 pounds.

From Plains To Hills

South Dakota landscape is quite diverse ranging from prairies and plains to hills and mountains. Rolling hills and streams can be found in the eastern part of the state in the Dissected Till Plains. The Great Plains lie to the west and are more rugged than the Till Plains with rolling hills, plains, canyons and steep flat-topped hills called buttes. Buttes range in color, size and shape. The buttes in South Dakota, however, can range between 400 and 600 feet and have bright, vibrant colors making them one of the most beautiful rock formations in the Midwest. The southwestern part of the state will bring you to the Black Hills. The Black Hills are low mountains ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet above their bases. Nature and wild life thrive in the Black Hills with ponderosa, pine and spruce trees as well as mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and mountain lions.

An Active State

South Dakotans love to be outside as is evidenced by their numerous hiking and biking trails. In fact, they take great pride in their bicycle trails. There are both strenuous mountain climbs and leisurely rides on old railroad beds. Other popular outdoor activities include rock climbing, sailing, kayaking and jet skiing. Fishing is a year long sport and the lakes and streams are quite abundant in walleye, pike and smallmouth bass. Even in winter, there are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from including, down hill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and skating.

South Dakota Fact File

Nicknames: The Mount Rushmore State, The Sunshine State

Motto: Under God, the people rule

Capital: Pierre

Population: 781,919

Website: www.sd.gov

State Bird: Ring-neck pheasant

State Flower: American Pasque Flower

State Tree: Black Hills Spruce

State Animal: Coyote

State Bread: Fry Bread

State Fossil: Triceratops

Did You Know?

The Black Hills of South Dakota was one of the sites considered for the permanent

home of the U.N.

South Dakota has one of the 16st Native American populations with nine official

tribes and some 60,000 people.

Mitchell, South Dakota is the home of the world's only corn palace built with 3,500

bushels of ear corn.

90% of South Dakota is covered with ranches and farms