Minnesota "Land of 10,000 Lakes” “Star of the North” Minnesota “Land of 10,000 Lakes”

Minnesota is: -The twelfth largest state of the U.S. -Bordered by Canada and the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota -The state's name comes from a Dakota word: “Sky-tinted water” - Nearly sixty percent of Minnesota's residents live in the metro area of Minneapolis/St. Paul, known as the “Twin Cities” -Capital: St. Paul -Largest City: Minneapolis -Population: Total:5,266,214 (2009 est.

History -Before European settlement, the region was inhabited by the Ojibwa (Chippewa) and the Dakota (Sioux) tribes. -French explorers arrived first in the mid 1600’s. -The first permanent U.S. settlement was made in 1819, when Fort Snelling was founded. -Minnesota became the 32nd U.S. state in

Weather -Is famous for its frigid, long, dark winters where temperatures have been recorded at from -51 °C -Because of the state's location in the Upper Midwest it experiences some of the widest variety of weather in the U.S. the hottest summer temperature on record was 45 °C

Industry and Economy -It has vast woodlands, prairies, rivers, and many lakes -The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) is one of the largest in the U.S. attracting tourists from around the world -Today it’s economy is based on agriculture, especially grains, meat, and dairy products, is the basis of the economy -Mineral resources include iron ore, granite, and limestone -Traditionally logging and farming as well as shipment of goods down rivers

The State Bird is the Loon Our national bird, the Bald Eagle also lives in Minnesota Buffalo Wolves Animals

Native Americans -The largest population of Urban Native Americans in the U.S. is in Minneapolis -Most Native Americans are poor and live in the countryside in places called Reservations due to European and American attempts to destroy their culture and massacre their people by military force, forced assimilation and economic policies

Food -Because many Minnesotans descend from Scandinavian backgrounds foods such as Swedish Meatballs, Lutefisk and Lefse are eaten at Christmas time -Maple Syrup is a traditional sweetener made from tree sap used to sweeten foods -Wild Rice is our state grain which is part of the Native American traditional diet

Recreation -Popular Sports are Hockey, Fishing and Ice Fishing along with Ice Skating, Skiing, American Football, and Basketball -The Minnesota State Fair is the 2 nd largest in the United States -It is famous for Cheese Curds, Corndogs, butter sculptures, a large livestock show and an amusement park

Minneapolis My city, is known for: -Many lakes and parks within the city -Large music scene -Liberal politics -The Mississippi, the largest river in the U.S. -Minneapolis residents are made up of Native Americans, African Americans and immigrants from Europe, Latin American, Cambodia, and most recently East Africa -The University of Minnesota is located here with a student body of 51,721, making it the 4 th largest University in the U.S.

Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox -Paul ‘the king of lumberjacks’ and his companion Babe were said to have created the great lakes with their footprints as they walked around Minnesota -This legendary American hero was said to eat pancakes so large it took fifty men to carry them to his plate

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