The "Land of 10,000 Lakes," Minnesota
got its nickname because there are more than 12,000 lakes
throughout the state. Its name comes from the Dakota (Sioux) word
for the Minnesota River's "sky-tinted waters." The
Minnesota Territory was formed in 1849 from what had been part of
the Northwest Territory, and Minnesota joined the Union in 1858.
The state flower is the pink and white lady's slipper, and the
capital is St. Paul.
State Flower: Lady Slipper
State Motto: The North Star
State Nickname: North Star State; Gopher State;
Land of 10,000 Lakes
State Bird: Common Loon (also called great
northern diver)
Land area: 79,617 sq mi. - Length: 400 miles - Width: 250 miles
10 largest cities (1999 est.): Minneapolis,
353,395; St. Paul, 256,213; Bloomington, 86,226; Duluth, 80,980;
Rochester, 80,768; Brooklyn Park, 63,758; Coon Rapids, 63,479;
Plymouth, 62,152; Burnsville, 60,308; Eagan, 59,972 - Persons per square mile (1999): 60.0
