Name Etomology: from Dakota Indian word Minisota ("sky tinted waters")
Total Area: 84,068 square miles (217,736 square kilometers - the 12th largest state)
Length (longest distance, north to south): 411 miles
Width (longest distance, east to west): 357 miles
Designation as a Territory: March 3, 1849
Entrance into Union: May 11, 1858 (the 32d state to enter the Union)
State Song: "Hail! Minnesota."
Abbreviation: MN
Population: 4,375,099 (1990 census) - 20th largest state - 70.6% urban, 29.4% rural,
94.4% White, 2.2% African American, 1.8% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.2% Hispanic,
1.1% American Indian, Aleutian, or Eskimo, 0.5% other.
Population Density: 54.3 persons per square mile
Capitol: St. Paul
Largest City: Minneapolis (368,383 people)
Average Elevation: 1,200 feet
Highest Point: Eagle Mountain, 2,301 feet
Lowest Point: surface of Lake Superior, 602 feet
Total Area of Inland Water: 4,779 square miles
Number of Lakes Over 10 Acres: 15,291
Largest Lake: Red Lake, 451 square miles
Average Annual Precipitation: 28.32 inches
Average Annual Snowfall: 49.6 inches
Average temperature in January: 11.2? F
Average Temperature in July: 73.1? F
State Motto
State Tree
State Flower
State Bird
State Fish
L'Etoile du Nord (The North Star)
Norway Pine
Pink and White Lady's Slipper
Common Loon
Walleye
State Grain
State Mushroom
State Muffin
State Gemstone
State Beverage
Wild Rice
Morel
Blueberry
Lake Superior Agate
Milk
Registration is Nonpartisan.
Prior to 1974 MN had villages and boroughs. After January 1, 1974, all incorporated municipalities are cities.