Capital:
Bismarck
Governor: John Hoeven, R (to Jan. 2005)
Lieut.
Governor: Jack Dalrymple, R (to Jan. 2005)
Senators: Kent Conrad, D (to Jan. 2007); Byron L. Dorgan, D
(to Jan. 2005)
Secy.
of State: Alvin A. Jaeger, R (to Dec. 31, 2004)
Auditor: Robert R. Peterson, R (to Dec. 31, 2004)
Treasurer: Kathi Gilmore, D (to Dec. 31, 2004)
Atty.
General: Wayne Stenehjem, R (to Dec. 31, 2004)
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) |
|
|
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 largest cities (1999 est.):
Fargo, 88,128; Bismarck, 55,109; Grand Forks, 45,967; Minot,
35,673; Dickinson, 16,301; Mandan, 15,970; Jamestown, 15,100;
West Fargo, 14,477; Williston, 12,463
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: 20 (14,822 ac.)
Residents: North Dakotan
1999 resident population est.:
633,666
1990 resident census population (rank):
638,800 (47). Male: 318,201;
Female: 320,599. White:
604,142 (94.6%); Black:
3,524 (0.6%); American Indian:
25,917 (4.1%); Asian: 3,462
(0.5%); Other race: 1,755
(0.3%); Hispanic: 4,665
(0.7%). 1990 percent population under
18: 27.5; 65 and over:
14.3; median age:
32.3. |
