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













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