Minnesota Atlas

Minnesota facts and history plus travel and tourism information.

Capital: St Paul
Abbreviations: MN (postal), Minn.
Area: 86,943 square miles
State Bird: Common Loon
State Tree: Norway Pine
State Flower: Showy Lady's Slipper
State Motto: L'Etoile du Nord - The North Star
Nicknames: The North Star State, The Gopher State, Land of 10,000 Lakes

Downtown Aerial of Minneapolis

Located in north central United States, Minnesota adjoins the Canadian border. Thousands of lakes freeze over in the cold Minnesota winters, characterizing the state as "The Land of 10,000 Lakes" and no doubt influencing the popularity of ice hockey in the 32nd state. In the northwest, Minnesota borders Lake Superior, and major lakes such as the Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs Lake, Leech Lake, and the Red Lakes provide fishing and many other recreational activities. The Great Plains and prairies in western Minnesota give way to woodlands and forests in northern parts of the state.

Minnesota joined the Union on May 11, 1858 with around 150,000 settlers. Fur trading, fishing, and logging fueled the economy in the 1700s, but over time, iron ore took over as Minnesota's main money maker. Agriculture, meatpacking, flour milling, and sugar refining are also major businesses. Several major companies, including 3M and Cargill, are headquartered in the state.

Minnesota Map

More Minnesota Information

1. Minnesota Government - official Minnesota state website.
2. Explore Minnesota - Minnesota travel and tourism.
3. National Parks in Minnesota
4. Minnesota QuickFacts - from the US Census Bureau.
5. 50States.com - Minnesota

Minnesota Resources

• Minnesota Real Estate - real estate information about Minnesota.
• Minnesota Colleges and Universities - higher education institutions in Minnesota.
• Minnesota Libraries - list of libraries in Minnesota.

Minnesota History and Geography