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North Dakota
More About North Dakota State
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Pages: Bismarck | | |
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elkirk's colony in Manitoba arrived in 1812. The first military post at Fort Abercrombie served as a gateway into the area for settlers. The Dakota Territory was organized on March 2, 1861, but major settlement of what later became North Dakota followed after the entry of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the early 1870s.
This is a fascinating land of prairies, rich river valleys, small cities, huge ranches, and vast stretches of wheat. Bordering Canada for 320 miles to the north, it shares straight-line borders with Montana to the west and South Dakota to the south. The Red River of the North forms its eastern boundary with Minnesota. The Garrison Dam has changed much of the internal geography of the state's western areas, converting the Missouri River, known as "Big Muddy," into a broad waterway with splendid recreation areas bordering the reservoir, Lake Sakajawea. In addition, the Oahe Dam in South Dakota impounds Lake Oahe, which stretches north almost to Bismarck. To the southwest stretch the Badlands in all their natural grandeur, amid the open range about which Theodore Roosevelt wrote so eloquently in his Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail.
North Dakota's wealth is still in its soil--agriculture, crude oil, and lignite (a brown variety of very soft coal). It is estimated that one-third of the state is under oil and gas lease, and it ranks high in the nation for the production of oil; the largest deposits of lignite coal in the world are here. The same land through which Custer's men rode with range grass growing up to their stirrups now makes North Dakota the nation's number one cash grain state. North Dakota leads the nation in the production of barley, durum, spring wheat, pinto beans, oats, and flaxseed. Nearly 2,000,000 head of cattle and more than 165,000 sheep are produced on North Dakota grass.
While the rural areas comprise the economic backbone of North Dakota, attractions attributed to a "big city" can be found. In July 1981, blackjack became a legal form of gambling, causing a number of casinos to open statewide. High-stakes games and slot machines can be found in casinos operated by Native Americans on four reservations. Pari-mutuel horseracing was legalized in 1987. All gambling profits, above expenses, go to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
This is the state in which to trace 19th-century frontier history, to explore the International Peace Garden (see BOTTINEAU), to stand at the center of the continent, to watch Native American dances and outdoor dramas, to fish in the 180-mile-long Lake Sakajawea, or to watch the 10 million migratory waterfowl that soar across the sky each spring and fall.
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North Dakota
Statistics & Vital Data |  |
| Population: | 638800 |
| Area: | 70,665 square miles |
| Timezone: | Central and Mountain |
| Elevation: | 3,506 feet |
| High
point: | White Butte (Slope County) |
| Joined
Union: | November 2, 1889 (39th state, same day as South Dakota) |
| State
Capital: | Bismarck |
| State
Motto: | "Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable" |
| State
Flower: | Wild Prairie Rose |
| State
Bird: | Western Meadowlark |
| State
Tree: | American Elm |
| State
Fair: | July in Minot |
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North Dakota Events >> | | View
North Dakota Attractions >> |
North Dakota Parks, Recreation Areas, & Historical Landmarks:
State Parks - Water-related activities, hiking, riding, various other sports, picnicking and visitor centers, as well as camping, are available in many state parks. Camping facilities ($3-$14/night with electricity; $5-$7/night, no electricity; $4 less with annual permit) at state parks. All motor vehicles entering a state park must obtain a motor vehicle permit: annual $25; daily $5. Pets on leash only. The North Dakota Tourism Department, 604 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck 58505, offers info on facilities at national, state, and local parks and recreation areas. Phone 800/HELLO-ND.
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list of all parks in North Dakota >> | |
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North Dakota
Weather and Climate:
North Dakota winters are long and merciless, with bitter cold temperatures and insistent winds. Spring is cool and rainy; summers are hot and sunny. Summer hailstorms and thunderstorms are not uncommon in the Badlands. | |
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Fishing/Hunting
Opportunities in North Dakota:
Species found in the state are trout, pike, sauger, walleye, bass, salmon, panfish, catfish, and muskie. Fishing season is year-round in many waters. Obtain state's fishing regulations for details. Nonresident license, $25; 7-day nonresident license, $15; 3-day nonresident license, $10. $2 certificate fee for each license. For further information, contact the State Game and Fish Department, 100 N Bismarck Expy, Bismarck 58501-5095; phone 701/328-6300. The pothole and slough regions of central North Dakota annually harbor up to 4 million ducks; waterfowl hunting is tops. Pheasants, sharptails, Hungarian partridge, and deer are also found here. Nonresident small game license $85; with waterfowl $95. $2 certificate fee for each license. | |
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a North Dakota City Page: | |
| | Additional North Dakota Visitor Information:
North Dakota Tourism Department, 604 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck 58505; phone 800/435-5663; has helpful travel information. North Dakota Horizons, published quarterly , is available from the Greater North Dakota Assn, PO Box 2639, Bismarck 58502.
Three tourist information centers are open year-round. These centers are Fargo Information Center, located at I-94, 45th St exit; Grand Forks Travel Center, located on I-29, exit 141; and Pembina Travel Center, located in the tower building with observation deck, on ND 59, adjacent to I-29.
Five tourist information centers are open Memorial Day-Labor Day. These centers are Beach Tourist Information Center, located at the North Dakota-Montana border on I-94; Bowman Info Center, located on US 12W; Lake Agassiz Travel Center, located on I-29, exit 2; Oriska Info Center, located at Oriska Rest area, 12 miles E of Valley City on I-94; and Williston Info Center, located at US 2 and 6th Ave W. |
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