31 North Dakota Facts: Things To Know Before You Plan To Visit

The U.S. state is situated in the mid-western region and is primarily covered by an extensive area of the Great Plains in North Dakota.

North Dakota has Canada to its north, South Dakota to its south, Minnesota to its east, and Montana to its west. Due to the presence of the Rocky Mountains, the elevation increases from east to west.

The White Butte is the highest point in the state, and some of the most important cities in North Dakota are Grand Forks, Bismarck, Minot, and Fargo. South Dakota and North Dakota were combined, and the state was named after the tribe of Dakota Indians that once lived in this area. The term 'Dakota' is derived from a Sioux word that implies either friends or allies. The total area covered by North Dakota is 70,704 sq mi (183,123 sq km) and has Bismarck as its capital.

To learn more fascinating facts about North Dakota, continue reading this article.

History

The history of North Dakota is elaborate as it has witnessed the situation from the pre-colonial state to colonization to statehood and the current scenarios.

Before North Dakota was colonized by the Europeans, it was inhabited by Native Americans, including the Mandan people, the Hidatsa group, and Crow Indians.

Later, came the Lakota, Yanktonai, and Santee people. The French Canadian fur trader, Pierre Gaultier, was guided by the Assiniboine Indians on his exploration to the Mandan villages.

Thus, North Dakota was a part of Spanish Louisiana from 1762-1802.

Settlement started to increase in North Dakota after the opening of the railroads in the latter part of the 19th century.

Ultimately, in 1889, North Dakota was added to the union.

Geography And Tourism

North Dakota’s geography has three major divisions, and it is the 19th largest state in the U.S. The geographical division of North Dakota is essential for its tourism, which accounts for 3.3% of its economy.

The geographic divisions are the Great Plains in the southwestern region, which is enriched with mineral deposits.

It rises approximately 400 ft (122 m) above the east of the Missouri River.

It has the Missouri Plateau in the western region and the Red River Valley in the east, which form boundaries with Minnesota.

North Dakota is popular for its national parks, which comprise natural wildlife and a picturesque view.

Moreover, there are art and cultural centers, museums such as the National Buffalo Museum, Plains Art Museums, and several historical centers.

The journey of President Roosevelt to hunt bison in 1883 led to the establishment of the only national park in North Dakota.

Politics and government

The history of North Dakota has a strong impact on the political scenario of the state. However, the state is largely influenced by the Republican Party.

The model of the state government is based on the federal government of the United States.

Thus, the governor is both the executive head and the head of the government.

The legislative power of North Dakota is vested in the House of Representatives, the North Dakota legislature, and the Senate, while the judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court.

The constitution of North Dakota was authorized in 1889.

The major political parties are Democratic-NPL and Republica.

Economy

North Dakota is considered the leading producer of various products, so farming has a crucial role in the economy of the state. Besides farming, natural resources also have a major contribution to its economy.

Historically, the tribes traveled to Fort Union from the northern plains each spring to trade furs and buffalo.

Even now, the major sectors of the economy of North Dakota are agriculture, real estate, and government.

The median household income in 2019 was $64,577, placing North Dakota in 20th place.

This state possesses the biggest deposit of lignite that has been mined since 1873.

Natural resources, including gas, oil, and petroleum, are found in abundance in North Dakota.

The unemployment rate in North Dakota is one of the lowest in the country.

Did You Know...

You might know about North Dakota, but did you know these facts about North Dakota?

The largest French fry feed occurs in Grand Forks every year, and on September 10, 2010, a new record was established after serving five, 220 lb (99.7 kg) of French fries.

North Dakota has The Enchanted Highway, which is a compilation of the largest scrap metal sculptures in the world. These metal sculptures are constructed at an interval along a stretch of 32 mi (51.4 km) of a two-lane highway that is situated in the southwestern region.

North Dakota also holds the Guinness World Records for making snow angels by 8962 people in 2007, breaking its previous record of snow angels made by 3784 people.

More than 8,000 people ate the largest hamburger, which weighed 3591 lb (1628.8 kg), in North Dakota in 1982.

The prairie lake is considered extremely fertile and has plenty of fish such as white bass, northern pike, and walleye.

There is a rule in North Dakota that prohibits fireworks after 11 p.m. at Devil’s Lake.

It is also illegal to wear a hat and go dancing in Fargo.

North Dakota was deemed a state in 1889 and is considered the 39th state mostly.

However, one may assume it is not the case, as former President Benjamin Harrison signed both documents for North Dakota and South Dakota, but it was a secret as to which document he signed first. However, due to the alphabetical order, North Dakota is acknowledged as the 39th state and South Dakota as the 40th state.

FAQs

What is North Dakota famous for?

North Dakota is famous for plenty of things, like:

The inventor of the camera, David Henderson, was a North Dakotan. Thus, its name is made up by shuffling the first four letters of ‘Dakota’ and adding the letter ‘K’ to create ‘Kodak’.

Besides the camera, the clothes dryer is also an invention of a fellow North Dakotan called J. Ross Moore.

Is North Dakota a good state to live in?

There are numerous good reasons why North Dakota is considered a good state to live in, one of which is that it has plenty of jobs. Moreover, North Dakota is tax-friendly and offers the highest quality of life.

What is North Dakota known for?

One of the major aspects of North Dakota is its badlands. It is now a part of Roosevelt National Park.

North Dakota is also known for its production of pinto beans and dry beans.

North Dakota is also a leading producer of honey and sunflower seeds.

What is the state animal of North Dakota?

The state animal of North Dakota is the Western meadowlark, which is a type of bird.

What is North Dakota's state bird?

The state bird of North Dakota is the Western meadowlark.

What is the population of North Dakota?

North Dakota is the 19th largest state in the United States. However, despite its large size, the population of this state is comparatively less as it is the third least populated state. According to the records of 2020, the average population is 779,094.

What is the capital of North Dakota?

Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota.

What to see in North Dakota?

The Roosevelt National Park is one of North Dakota's main attractions, but there are numerous other places to visit, including Lake Sakakawea, Scandinavian Heritage Park, North Dakota Capitol and Heritage Center, International Peace Park, and various museums.

What time zone is North Dakota in?

The time zone for North Dakota is CST (Central Standard Time).

What is the largest recorded amount of snowfall in North Dakota?

In March, 1975, Bismarck was covered in 31.1 in (78.9 cm) of snow over the 61.8 in (156.9 cm) of snow that fell towards the end of January.