Why is South Dakota called South Dakota?
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Question: Why is South Dakota called South Dakota?
Answer:
South Dakota is called South Dakota because it is located in the southern part of what was once the Dakota Territory. Here’s a bit more detail:
- Dakota Territory: The name “Dakota” comes from the Dakota Sioux, a Native American tribe that lived in the region. The territory was named in their honor.
- Geography: When the Dakota Territory was split into two states in 1889, the southern portion became South Dakota, and the northern portion became North Dakota.
- Statehood: Both North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, as separate states. The division was partly political, to balance power in the Senate.
So, South Dakota’s name reflects its position in the southern part of the former Dakota Territory.
