South Dakota

Main article: [South Dakota]

Further information: [List of U.S. states and territories by area], [[List of U.S. states and territories by population density]], [[List of U.S. states and territories by population]]

Location and Size

South Dakota is a state in the Upper Midwest and North Central part of the United States. It is part of the Great Plains. It is named after the Dakota Sioux people. South Dakota is the 17th-largest by area. It is also the fifth-least populous and the fifth-least densely populated of the 50 United States. The capital is Pierre. The largest city is Sioux Falls.

History

People have lived in this area for thousands of years. The Sioux became the main group by the early 1800s. Later, many European settlers came after a gold rush and new railroads were built. South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889, with North Dakota.

Geography and Climate

East South Dakota has rich farmland. The west has ranching and tourism. The Black Hills in the southwest have the famous Mount Rushmore. The state has a continental climate with four seasons. It has many grassland areas.

History

Main article: History of South Dakota

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of South Dakota.

People have lived in South Dakota for thousands of years. Early groups were hunters and gatherers. Later, people called the Mound Builders lived there. By 1500, the Arikara lived along the Missouri River. European explorers came in the 1700s.

The United States bought the land in 1803. More American settlers came. In 1874, gold was found in the Black Hills. This caused trouble with the Lakota Sioux. South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The 1930s brought hard times with the Dust Bowl, but the state improved during World War II. Today, South Dakota’s economy includes farming, tourism, and financial services.

Geography

Main article: Geography of South Dakota

See also: Geology of South Dakota

South Dakota is a state in the north-central United States. It is part of the Midwest and the Great Plains region. The state covers 77,116 square miles, making it the 17th largest state in the country. The highest point is Black Elk Peak, which is 7,242 feet tall. The lowest point is along the shoreline of Big Stone Lake.

South Dakota is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Nebraska to the south, Iowa and Minnesota to the east, and Wyoming and Montana to the west. The Missouri River is the longest river in the state, and there are many lakes, especially in the east.

The state can be divided into three main areas: eastern South Dakota, western South Dakota, and the Black Hills. The Missouri River separates eastern and western South Dakota. The Black Hills are a special mountainous area. Eastern South Dakota has more trees and rivers. Western South Dakota is drier, with rolling hills and plains. The Black Hills are known for their forests and higher elevation.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of South Dakota

South Dakota's population was about 910,000 as of July 2022, making it one of the least populated states in the U.S. Most people live in small towns or rural areas, though some regions like Sioux Falls are growing. The state has many people of German and Norwegian ancestry, and a significant population of Native American heritage.

The largest groups in South Dakota include White, Native American, and German descendants. Many people live in areas with strong ties to their cultural backgrounds. The state also has communities that speak languages such as Spanish, German, and the indigenous languages of the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in South Dakota

See also: List of South Dakota railroads and List of South Dakota numbered highways

South Dakota has many miles of roads. There are 83,609 miles of highways, roads, and streets. It also has 679 miles of interstate highways. Two major interstates cross the state: Interstate 90 goes east to west, and Interstate 29 goes north to south. These highways help people and businesses travel across the state.

Railroads have been important for South Dakota. Today, BNSF is the biggest railroad, with other smaller lines too. The state has two special scenic byways: the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway in the Black Hills and the Native American Scenic Byway along the Missouri River. The largest airports are in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, with flights from several airlines. Some cities have public transit to help people get around.

Government and politics

Main article: Government of South Dakota

See also: Governor of South Dakota, South Dakota Legislature, and South Dakota Supreme Court

South Dakota's government has three parts, just like the national government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The governor leads the executive branch. The governor can sign or veto laws, choose leaders for different departments, and lead the state's National Guard.

The state legislature has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 35 senators and 70 representatives who work together to make laws.

South Dakota’s politics are mostly led by the Republican Party. Republicans have often won the state’s votes in presidential elections. But Democrats have sometimes won in other elections. The state does not collect personal income taxes, so its tax rates are low. Important issues today include funding for schools and voting laws.

Culture

Main article: Culture of South Dakota

South Dakota's culture is a mix of American Indian, rural, Western, and European influences. The state has many events to celebrate its heritage, like Days of '76 in Deadwood and Czech Days in Tabor. Every year, Custer State Park holds a Buffalo Roundup where volunteers gather the park's bison herd.

The state has produced famous writers and artists. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote popular books about life on the frontier, based on her childhood near De Smet. Artists such as Harvey Dunn, Oscar Howe, and Terry Redlin have made well-known paintings of frontier and rural life.

Cities and towns

See also: List of cities in South Dakota and List of South Dakota counties

Sioux Falls is the largest city in South Dakota. It is in the southeast part of the state. The city is important for shopping, money, and health care.

Rapid City is the second-largest city. It is near the Black Hills. The city is known for visitors and jobs in defense, thanks to nearby places and Ellsworth Air Force Base. Other notable cities include Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, Mitchell, Yankton, Huron, Pierre, the state capital, and Spearfish. Pierre is one of the smallest state capitals in the United States.

Media

See also: List of newspapers in South Dakota, List of television stations in South Dakota, and List of radio stations in South Dakota

South Dakota's first newspaper, the Dakota Democrat, started in Yankton in 1858. Today, the biggest newspaper is the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, with many readers every week. Another big paper is the Rapid City Journal. There are also smaller papers in places like Aberdeen and Watertown.

South Dakota has nine television stations. The largest TV area is Sioux Falls-Mitchell, and the next is Rapid City. The first TV station, KELO-TV, began in Sioux Falls in 1953 and had a popular children's show called Captain 11.

Education

See also: List of colleges and universities in South Dakota, List of high schools in South Dakota, and List of school districts in South Dakota

South Dakota has many schools and universities. Most students go to public schools. There are 703 public schools, the most for the number of people in the United States. Most adults, about 90%, have finished high school, and around 26% have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

The state has six public universities managed by the South Dakota Board of Regents. South Dakota State University in Brookings is the largest, with many students. The University of South Dakota in Vermillion is the oldest and has the state’s only law school and medical school. There are also private universities, including Augustana University in Sioux Falls. South Dakota has a law to teach more about Native American history and culture in all schools.

Sports and recreation

South Dakota does not have any major league sports teams, but it has several smaller teams. Sioux Falls has four teams: the Sioux Falls Canaries (baseball), the Sioux Falls Skyforce (basketball), the Sioux Falls Stampede (hockey), and the Sioux Falls Storm (indoor American football). Rapid City has a hockey team called the Rapid City Rush.

Fishing and hunting are very popular in South Dakota. People enjoy catching fish like walleye and trout, and hunting animals such as pheasants and white-tailed deer. The state also has many trails for cycling and running, including the George S. Mickelson Trail and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

State symbols

Main article: List of South Dakota state symbols

South Dakota has many official symbols that show what the state is like. The state's bird is the Ring-necked pheasant, and its flower is the American pasque flower. Other symbols include the Black Hills spruce as the state tree, and the Coyote as the state animal.

Additional symbols are the Walleye as the state fish, Rose quartz as the state mineral, and Fairburn agate as the state gemstone. South Dakota is also known as the Mount Rushmore State and uses the motto "Under God, the people rule."