Cities In Minnesota - Quick Facts, History & Geography
Minnesota Quick Facts
The nickname of Minnesota is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," although it actually has more than 11,000 lakes. Minnesota became the 32nd state to join the United States on May 11, 1858. There are a total of 853 cities in Minnesota. The capital city of Minnesota is St. Paul, which, along with Minneapolis, forms the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and has a population of 424,536. By land area, Minnesota is the 12th largest state with 86,936 square miles and is 8.41% water. Minnesota is the 22nd most populated state, with a population of almost 6 million residents. Home of the Mall of America, it is the largest mall in the U.S. with more than 500 stores. The Minnesota State fair is the largest in the U.S. Scotch tape was invented in Minnesota. There are more than 8,000 boats registered in Minnesota, which is about one boat for every 3 households. Minnesota has a significant Scandinavian heritage, with many residents having Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish ancestry. Minnesota is home to some of the oldest rocks in the world, some dating back to 1.7 - 2.6 billion years ago. Famous people born in Minneapolis include Bob Dylan, Prince, Winona Ryder, Josh Hartnett, Jessica Biel, Chris Pratt, Judy Garland, Vince Vaughn, Loni Anderson and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Minnesota's History
Before European exploration, Minnesota was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Dakota Sioux, Ojibwe (Chippewa) and others. European exploration of the region began in the 17th century, with French explorers like Samuel de Champlain and Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, who traveled through the area. In the late 18th century, Minnesota came under U.S. control through the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. In 1851, the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux and the Treaty of Mendota were signed, leading to the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in Minnesota to reservations in other parts of the country. Minnesota became part of the Union in 1858. During the Civil War, Minnesota contributed a significant number of soldiers to the Union Army. In 1862, tensions between settlers and the Dakota Sioux erupted into armed conflict, this led to the execution of 38 Dakota warriors and forced the removal of Dakota people from Minnesota. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw substantial economic growth in Minnesota, driven by industries such as logging, mining (iron ore, copper and more), agriculture, and the rise of flour mills in Minneapolis, earning it the nickname "Mill City." In the 20th and 21st centuries, Minnesota continued to evolve into a thriving and diverse state with a strong emphasis on education, healthcare, and technology.
Minnesota's Geography
Minnesota's geography has been significantly shaped by the last Ice Age and the retreating glaciers, leaving behind a terrain that offers a wealth of natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The largest of the 11,000 lakes include Lake Superior, which is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and Lake Mille Lacs. Minnesota is bordered by Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The mighty Mississippi River originates in Lake Itasca, located within Itasca State Park in northern Minnesota. It flows southward, dividing the state into eastern and western halves, before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Situated in the northeastern part of the state, the Boundary Waters is a vast wilderness area covering over one million acres of pristine lakes, forests and waterways. The northern part of Minnesota is characterized by dense forests, including pine, birch and maple trees. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, located in the southeastern part of the state, form the core of the state's urban and cultural life. The southwestern part of Minnesota is dominated by expansive prairies, where agricultural activities, particularly corn and soybean farming, are common. The northeastern part of the state is known as the "Iron Range" due to its abundant iron ore deposits, which have historically supported the mining industry.
Minnesota Relocation Information
They refer to Minnesota as the land of ten thousand lakes because it sounds a lot better than the land of a thousand mosquitoes. However, the slogan is no exaggeration; there are 11,842 lakes that are over 10 acres in size in the state. Located in the Midwest of the country bordering Canada and Lake Superior, Minnesota is a hardy land where lumberjacks and sawmills once covered the land and where in places, moose still roam free. The twin cities, Minneapolis-St. Paul, are where most of the state's businesses, restaurants residents are concentrated. Additionally, the twin cities are where most of the events and attractions in the state can be found, including the largest mall in America, the Mall of America.
The twin cities are also a major center for businesses in Minnesota. Countless large businesses are based in Minneapolis, including 3M, Target, United Health Group, General Mills, Land O' Lakes and Best Buy. Every year in Minnesota, temperatures reach extreme highs and lows. Winters always have several months where temperatures remain below freezing, and summers are very hot and muggy. Minnesota also often has severe weather with lots of rain and thunderstorms, tornados, snow, blizzards, hail, and powerful straight-line winds.
Cities in Minnesota have a crime rate that falls below the national average by about 10%. Larger cities like Minneapolis do have higher crime, so finding a safe place to live in the larger cities is more difficult, but can be accomplished with some additional research.
