"Dakota" comes from the Dacotah (Sioux) Indians.

Bordered By North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana

Total Area (rank) 77,121 sq mi (17th)
Greatest Distance E-W 380 mi
Greatest Distance N-S 245 mi
Geographic Center 8 miles northeast of Pierre
Highest Point Harney Peak; 7,242 ft
Lowest Point Big Stone Lake; 962 ft

Population (rank) 754,844 (46th)
Largest Cities Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings, Mitchell, Pierre, Yankton, Huron, Vermillion

Capital Pierre
U.S. Congress 2 Senators, 1 Representative
Local Administration 67 counties

Principal Industries food processing, machinery, lumber and wood products, tourism
Agricultural Products wheat, soybeans, corn; cattle, hogs; milk
Nonfuel Minerals gold, stone

First Explored By François and Louis-Joseph La Vérendrye in 1743
First Permanent Settlement trading post on the site of present-day Pierre, established by Joseph La Framboise in 1817
Territorial Status Achieved 1861
Admitted to Union (rank) November 2, 1889 (40th)

North Dakota
Minnesota
Iowa
Nebraska
Montana

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