Minnesota

Capital City:

St. Paul

Nickname:

North Star State / Gopher State / Bread and Butter State

Motto:

L'Etoile du Nord (The star of the north.)

Statehood:

May 11, 1858 (32th)

Origin of State's Name:

Based on the Dakota Sioux Indian word for "sky-tinted water," referring to the Minnesota River or the state's many lakes.

Largest Cities:

Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington, Duluth, Rochester

Border States:

Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin

Land Area:

79,617 sq. mi., 14th largest

State Bird:

Common Loon

State Flower:

Pink and white lady's-slipper (cypripedium reginae)

State Tree:

Red Pine (pinus resinosa)

State Song:

Hail! Minnesota