MINNESOTA THE NORTH STAR STATE Minnesota Minnesota is larger than life like the mythical lumberjack Paul Bunyan The state’s motto is L’Etoile du Nord which is French for The Star of the North That is why Minnesota’s nickname is The North Star State It harkens back to the days of French voyageurs paddling across Minnesota’s wilderness lakes Today fur trapping and logging have been replaced by agriculture and bustling cities The craggy North Shore of Lake Superior shares the spotlight with the Twin Cities and the Mall of America But it is still Minnesota’s natural beauty that draws the most visitors to the state each year Sometimes quirky always hardy Minnesotans love trendy cafes and rock bands as well as ice fishing and corn mazes Quick to lend a helping hand Minnesota is a top-ranked state for volunteering And no matter what the season from bone-chilling winters to pleasant summers Minnesota Nice is always on full display The Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture is outside Minneapolis’s Walker Art Center The sculpture is nearly 52 feet 16 m long 4 MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA QUICK FACTS Name Minnesota’s name probably comes from a Dakota Native American word Mnisota which means clear water However it might also translate to cloudy water which refers to the morning mist rising over the state’s lakes and valleys State Capital St Paul population 297,640 Date of Statehood May 11 1858 32nd state Population 5,489,594 21st-most populous state Area Total Land and Water 86,936 square miles 225,163 sq km 12th-largest state Largest City Minneapolis population 407,207 Nickname The North Star State the Land of 10,000 Lakes the Gopher State Motto L’Etoile du Nord The Star of the North State Bird Common Loon 6 MINNESOTA
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA State Flower Showy Lady’s Slipper State Gemstone Lake Superior Agate State Tree Red Norway Pine State Song Hail Minnesota Highest Point Eagle Mountain 2,301 feet 701 m Lowest Point Lake Superior 601 feet 183 m Average July High Temperature 81 F 27 C Record High Temperature 115 F 46 C in Beardsley on July 29 1917 Average January Low Temperature 0 F 18 C Record Low Temperature 60 F 51 C in Tower on February 2 1996 Average Annual Precipitation 28 inches 71 cm Number of U S Senators 2 Number of U S Representatives 8 U S Postal Service Abbreviation MN QUICK FACTS 7
