Minnesota 101: These Are Incredible Facts And Stats About The Land Of 10,000 Lakes!
From sky-blue waters to golden inventions, Minnesota’s facts and stats will blow your mind and leave you awestruck!
ST. PAUL, MN – Welcome to the land where waters mirror skies and innovation flows like the mighty Mississippi! Minnesota isn’t just a dot on the map – it’s a treasure trove of fascinating facts and figures that will make your jaw drop faster than a walleye on a fishing line.
From its ancient petroglyphs to space-age inventions, from towering pines to tater tot hotdish, Minnesota is a state of contrasts and surprises. Buckle up, grab your lutefisk, and let’s embark on a whirlwind tour of facts and stats… proving Minnesota is a state that’s so much more than just nice!
Minnesota Names
State Name: The name “Minnesota” comes from the Indigenous Dakota peoples phrase “Mni Sóta Makoce”, meaning “land where the waters reflect the skies.”
Nicknames: The North Star State, The Land of 10,000 Lakes and The Gopher State
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The Twin Cities: Minneapolis (the largest city) and St. Paul (the capital city) are called The Twin Cities.
Minnesota Geography
- Capital: St. Paul
- Size: 12th largest state
- Land Area: 79,610 square miles (92%)
- Water Area: 7,329 square miles (8%)
- Length: Just over 400 miles
- Width: Varies from about 200 to 350 miles
- Lowest Point: 602 feet at Lake Superior shore
- Highest Point: 2,301 feet at Eagle Mountain in Cook County
- Mean Elevation: 1,200 feet above sea level
- Longitude: 89° 34’W to 97° 12’W
- Latitude: 43° 34’N to 49°23’N
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The Early Years
The earliest human inhabitants of the region now known as Minnesota arrived during the final stages of the last glacial period. These early settlers likely followed migrating herds of large animals into the area.
Ancient artwork in the form of rock carvings, known as petroglyphs, dates back approximately 7,000 years in this region. Some of these historical engravings can still be observed today at sites like Jeffers Petroglyphs, a preserved area in southwestern Minnesota under the care of the state’s Historical Society.
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When European explorers first reached Minnesota, they encountered indigenous populations including the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples. In 1832, an Ojibwe guide called Ozawindib led Henry Rowe Schoolcraft on an expedition that resulted in the discovery of Lake Itasca as the source of the Mississippi River.
The Land Of Sky Blue Waters
- Number of Lakes: 11,842 (bigger than 10 acres)
- Rivers and Steams: 69,200 miles.
Mississippi River: 2,552 total miles long – 680 miles of that flow through Minnesota. The river starts in Minnesota.
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Lake Superior: Among freshwater bodies, Lake Superior stands as the largest globally. It marks the terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway, a vital waterway that enables international shipping to reach the harbor of Duluth.
The Laurentian Divide: Northern Minnesota is traversed by the Laurentian Divide, a geographical feature that determines the direction of water flow. North of this divide, water drains towards Hudson Bay, while to the south, it flows either to the Gulf of Mexico or eastward to the Atlantic Ocean.
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Minnesota’s Population
These are the five biggest cities in Minnesota:
- Minneapolis: Population 435,885 (largest city)
- St. Paul: Population 315,925 (capital)
- Rochester: Population 119,969 (home of the Mayo Clinic)
- Bloomington: Population 90,271 (home of the Mall of America)
- Duluth: Population 87,306 (major shipping port)
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- Total population: 5.64 million
- City vs. country: Rural population is 23%, urban population is 77%
- Diversity: 20% of Minnesotans identify as people of color
- State rank in population: 22nd
- Minneapolis-St. Paul population: 3.28 million. It is the 16th largest metro area in the U.S.
- Population under age 18: 1.3 million (23% of the state)
- Median age: 37.9
Source: Minnesota State Demographic Center
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Minnesota’s Climate
- Average annual snowfall: 36-70 inches
- Normal annual precipitation: 8-32 inches
This Jaw-Dropping 4K Drone Video Reveals Minnesota’s Breathtaking Landscapes
Embark on a breathtaking visual journey through the diverse landscapes of Minnesota, from its tranquil northern woods to its vibrant cityscapes.
This peaceful journey – filmed with a drone to get the best possible footage and featuring a musical score composed and performed by Kitty – is designed to help you escape to nature. For more videos like this, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Minnesota’s Major Industries
The economy of Minnesota is characterized by diverse production across various sectors. The state’s goods and services reach international markets through exports. Notably, Minnesota is the primary source of iron ore in the United States and also boasts significant limestone and granite quarrying operations.
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Minnesota’s Biggest Businesses
Minnesota is home to some of the largest companies in the United States, including: UnitedHealth Group, U.S. Bancorp, CHS, Target, 3M, Best Buy, General Mills, Hormel Foods, and Polaris.
The top industries are:
- Health care and medical equipment
- Wood and paper
- Printing and publishing
High technology (electronic and computer equipment) - Food products (meat, dairy, grain, processed vegetables)
- Finance and insurance
- Tourism
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Minnesota Agriculture
Minnesota ranks 5th in total agricultural production in the U.S.
The top crops are:
- Sugar beets, green peas, wild rice
- Processed sweet corn
- Soybeans, dry beans, sunflowers and oats
Top export markets: China, Canada and Mexico
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Minnesota Inventions
The following are just a few inventions made in Minnesota:
- Water skis
- Inline skates
- Pontoons
- Scotch tape
- Shopping malls
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- Pacemakers
- Skyways
- Tilt-a-whirl rides
- Pop-up toaster
- Post-It Notes
- Black box flight recorder
State Symbols of Minnesota
- State Bird: Common Loon
- State Flower: Pink and white Lady’s Slipper
- State Butterfly: Monarch
- State Gemstone: Lake Superior Agate
- State Fish: Walleye
Scroll to the bottom of this article for a funny joke about loons!
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Famous Minnesotans
Ann Bancroft (Explorer) – First woman to cross the North Pole (1986 by dogsled) and South Pole (1993 by skis).
Hubert H. Humphrey (Politician) – Elected U.S. Vice President (1965-1969).
Sunisa (Sund) Lee (Olympic Gymnast) – Won a gold medal for women’s all-around at the 2020 Olympics.
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Walter F. Mondale (Politician) – Elected U.S. Vice President (1977-1981).
Karen Nyberg (Astronaut) – In 2008, took her first trip to the International Space Station in the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Prince (Musician) – Seven-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Biggest hits: “Purple Rain”, “When Doves Cry.” You can tour Paisley Park – his private home and recording studio – in the Twin Cities suburb of Chanhassen.
Bob Dylan (Songwriter) – This musician and poet is considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history. He was born in Duluth, raised in Hibbing and stated his career in Minneapolis.
Gable Steveson (Olympic Wrestler) – Won a gold medal in the men’s freestyle 125-kilogram class at the 2020 Olympics.
Dave Winfield (Baseball Player) – 12-time MLB All-Star and Baseball Hall of Famer.
Charles Schulz (Cartoonist) – Created the beloved “Peanuts” series featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and others. Born and raised in St. Paul.
Laura Ingalls Wilder (Author) – Wrote the Little House on the Prairie series about pioneer life in Minnesota. You can visit many of the places mentioned in the books as you travel southern Minnesota.
Charles and William Mayo (Doctors) – Co-founded the Mayo Clinic in Rochester with their father, William Worrall Mayo.
Sports in Minnesota
Minnesota is one of the only states with a professional team in every major sport.
- National Football League: Minnesota Vikings
- Independent Women’s Football League: Minnesota Vixen
- National Hockey League: Minnesota Wild
- National Women’s Hockey League: Minnesota Whitecaps
- Major League Baseball: Minnesota Twins
- National Basketball Association: Minnesota Timberwolves
- Women’s National Basketball Association: Minnesota Lynx
- Major League Soccer: Minnesota United FC
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The Saint Paul Saints are a Minor League Baseball team beloved by Minnesotans.
With a busy year-round schedule of sporting events, the University of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers are also a source of state pride.
Minnesota: Where Innovation Meets Tradition
As we wrap up our journey through the Land of 10,000 Lakes (actually 11,842, but who’s counting?), it’s clear that Minnesota is a state of superlatives. From the headwaters of the Mississippi to the shores of Lake Superior, from the bustling Twin Cities to the serene wilderness of the Boundary Waters, Minnesota continues to captivate and surprise.
It’s a place where innovation meets tradition, where natural beauty coexists with urban sophistication, and where you’re never more than six miles from a lake (or a conversation about the weather).
Whether you’re ice fishing on a frozen lake, cheering for the Vikings, or enjoying a Juicy Lucy, Minnesota offers a unique blend of experiences that make it truly one of a kind. So the next time someone says “Minnesota Nice,” remember – it’s not just nice, it’s extraordinary! Happy travels!
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Funny Joke About Loons
Sven recently got promoted to Game Warden for his Minnesota district and was watching a beautiful flock of loons flying overhead. Suddenly, a shot rang out and one of the loon fell to the ground.
Sven, cursing, drove his truck over to where it fell, only to see his lifelong friend, Ole, picking it up. “Ole! Vat you doing??! You can’t shoot the loon! De’re endangered!! That’s a federal offense! You’ll be going to jail!!” Ole swore, “I taut it was a goose, I didn’t know, oh, please think of poor Lena! How will she get by if I’m in jail! Please, Sven, I’m begging you!”
Sven agrees to let it go, but said, “Nobody can know about dis, Ole! Take it home and have Lena cook it up, eat it all and never tell nobody about it!” Ole agrees and leaves with the bird, wrapped up.
A week later, Sven runs into Ole and says, “Ole, you get rid of that bird like I told you?” “Oh, ya, Sven! Lena cooked it up an ve ate da whole thing up. I put all the feathers and stuff in a bag, wrapped up, extra, in the trash.” “Good,” said Sven. “But I alvays wondered what da loon tastes like. How vas it, Ole?”
“Oh, ja, Sven, vas pretty good! Very tasty, kind of a cross between Vooping Crane and a Bald Eagle!”
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