The state of Minnesota is located in the midwestern region of America. The Minnesota Territory was formed on March 3, 1849, and on May 11, 1858 it became the thirty-second state to be admitted into the union. It is the twelfth largest state in America and the twenty-first most populous. The state is bordered by Iowa Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Its State Capital is St. Paul and the largest city is Minneapolis. The popular name for its residents is the Minnesotans. The state bird is the Common Loon and the state flower is the Pink and white lady's slipper.
The name of the state originated from a Dakota Sioux Indian word, which means cloudy water’ or ‘sky tinted water’. The reason for this name is because Minnesota is known for its many lakes and rivers. Its major rivers are the Minnesota River, Mississippi River, Rainy River and Red River of the North, St. Croix, and its major lakes are the Upper Red Lake, Lower Red Lake, Mille Lacs Lake, Vermillion Lake, Rainy Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lake Superior, Leech Lake, Winnibigoshish Lake and Lake Pepin. These lakes sport fish such as bass, muskellunge, rainbow trout, brook and brown.
Minnesota’s official flag was adopted in 1893. The flag features a blue background with a seal in the center. The seal pictures a farmer plowing a field and an Indian riding a horse toward the sun. Surrounding this scene is Ladyslippers, the state flower. Nineteen yellow stars surround the seal to symbolize that Minnesota was the nineteenth state to enter the union. On the flag are three different dates which represent the year 1858 when Minnesota became a state, the year 1819 when Fort Snelling was Established and 1893, the year this flag was adopted.
The 1600’s brought to Minnesota the first European settlement. Life was good, until later that century when a tribe of Indians migrated to Minnesota causing tension in the state. The state was then mapped out into different portions by explorers to the state. At the end of the Revolutionary war, the United States took ownership of the portion of the state to the east of the Mississippi River. The land west of the Mississippi River also came under the rulership of the United States following the Louisiana Purchase. An American soldier, Zebulun Pike then negotiated with the Native Americans for a portion of the land between the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. The land was name Fort Snelling, and after some construction it became the first water–powered industry.
In 1862 the Dakota war took place due to tension between the Europeans and the native Dakota’s and Ojibwe’s. The Europeans had forced these natives out of their homelands to smaller reservations, and also caused their conditions to deteriorate. The war lasted six weeks, ending with the execution of 38 Dakota and the exile of the remaining Dakota’s to the Crow Creek in Nebraska.
Major industries in Minnesota include farming such as sugar beets, wheat, dairy products, corn and soybeans, mining iron ore and paper pulp. The farming industry was greatly affected during the Great Depression and farmers received a lower income. However, following World War II, new farming technology increased the income and farm productivity of these farmers. Machine milking at dairy farms and farm machinery such as tractors were just some of the few technologies that increased the productivity of these farms. At the same time, the rise of manufacturing was the reason for many people relocating to the cities.
Minnesota hosts a fair amount of forestland. It has four ecological provinces; the southeast Eastern Broadleaf Forest (Big Woods), the northern Laurentian Mixed Forest, southwestern and western Prairie Parkland and northwestern Tall Grass Aspen Parkland. Much farming and grazing in these forests have resulted in the destruction of Minnesota’s prairies and oak savannas. Logging in the northern destroyed the majority of the old growth forest. The logging occurs continuously, but re-growth keeps about one third of the state forested. The loss of habitat has also affected many native animals such as the bison and elk. Minnesota is also the home to birds of prey including the snowy owl, the bald eagle and the red-tailed hawk.
Minnesota ranks among the healthiest states, and has a highly literate population. The years 1900 to 1960 saw an increase of population by 15% every year. In 2008, a census estimated the population at 5 220 393 residents. The majority of the population lives in the Twin Cities, the center of business and industry, transportation and education. The state is also home to many religions. Christianity is the most dominant, however there are also a large number of people who follow the laws of Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. In fact, the first Jews to Minnesota actually set up the first synagogue in 1856 in Saint Paul.
In Minnesota temperatures are characteristic of continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Weather conditions include snow blizzards, rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail. Minnesota is geologically quiet today; it experiences earthquakes infrequently, and most of them are minor
There are many attractions and events in Minnesota, which appeal to tourists. The Mall of America houses an indoor theme park and an Underwater world. The Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo are also quite popular. There are many theme parks in Minnesota, which cater to a diverse people. These include Valleyfair Amusement Park, Science Museum of Minnesota, Mill City Museum, SPAM Museum and Paul Bunyan Waterpark. Other popular vacationing and family fun include nature centers and wildlife fun such as fishing and hiking. Some additional outdoor fun includes biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, golf, hiking, hunting, backpacking, state parks and snow activities such as snow boarding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow tubing. Minnesota is also popular for its festivals and events; the mashed potato wrestling, frozen turkey bowling, golf on the snow and ice, and an annual fish house parade.
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