Minnesota

Basic Information

Minnesota, known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, is renowned for its natural beauty, strong communities, and high quality of life.

Capital

• Saint Paul

Largest City

• Minneapolis

Area

• 86,936 sq mi

Population

• 5.7 million (2020)

Demographics

Minnesota's population is predominantly of European descent, with growing diversity in urban areas.

Ethnic Composition

• White:79.1%
• Black:7.0%
• Asian:5.2%
• Hispanic:5.6%

Languages

• English:88.7%
• Spanish:3.9%
• Hmong:1.1%
• Somali:1.1%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:23.1%
• 18-64:61.6%
• 65+:15.3%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.7%
• Natural Increase:25,000
• Migration:15,000

Economy

Minnesota has a diverse economy with strong healthcare, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors.

GDP

• $380 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Agriculture
• Mining
• Financial Services

Employment Rate

• Employed:96.3%
• Unemployment:3.7%

Major Companies

• UnitedHealth Group
• 3M
• Target
• Best Buy
• Mayo Clinic

Climate

Minnesota experiences a continental climate with dramatic seasonal variations.

Summer

• Avg. High:83°F
• Avg. Low:63°F
• Humidity:Moderate to High

Winter

• Avg. High:24°F
• Avg. Low:7°F
• Snowfall:45-70 inches/year

Spring

• Avg. High:60°F
• Avg. Low:39°F
• Rainfall:2-4 inches/month

Fall

• Avg. High:62°F
• Avg. Low:43°F
• First Frost:October

Visiting Minnesota

Minnesota offers year-round attractions, from summer lake activities to winter sports.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer:June-August (Peak Season)
• Fall:September-October (Fall Colors)
• Winter:December-March (Winter Sports)

Transportation

• Major Airports:MSP International
• Light Rail:Metro Transit
• Highway System:Interstate 35, 94, 90

Accommodation

• Hotels:1,000+
• Resorts:800+
• Camping Sites:4,000+
• Average Hotel Rate:$120/night

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:10+
• Tourism Website:Explore Minnesota
• Info Hotline:Available

Popular Attractions

Minnesota offers diverse attractions from urban experiences to wilderness adventures.

Natural Landmarks

• Boundary Waters Canoe Area
• North Shore of Lake Superior
• Mississippi River Headwaters
• Minnesota State Parks

Urban Attractions

• Mall of America
• Minnesota State Capitol
• Minneapolis Institute of Art
• Science Museum of Minnesota

Cultural Sites

• First Avenue
• Minnesota History Center
• Fort Snelling
• Split Rock Lighthouse

Popular Cities

• Minneapolis
• Saint Paul
• Duluth
• Rochester

History

Minnesota's rich history spans from Native American settlements to its emergence as a major Midwestern economic center.

Early History

• Native Peoples:Dakota and Ojibwe tribes
• European Exploration:1600s-1700s
• Fur Trade Era:1600s-1800s

19th Century

• Territory Established:1849
• Statehood:1858
• Dakota War:1862

20th Century

• Industrial Growth:1900s+
• World War II Contribution:1941-1945
• Economic Diversification:1950s+

Recent History

• Tech Industry Growth:1980s+
• Environmental Initiatives
• Cultural Development

State Symbols

Minnesota has adopted various official state symbols that represent its cultural heritage and natural diversity.

State Animals

• State Bird:

  Common Loon
• State Fish:

  Walleye
• State Butterfly:

  Monarch
• State Animal:

  Timber Wolf

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Pink and White Lady Slipper
• State Tree:

  Norway Pine (Red Pine)
• State Grain:

  Wild Rice
• State Mushroom:

  Morel

Cultural Symbols

• State Song:

  "Hail! Minnesota"
• State Photograph:

  "Grace"
• State Gemstone:

  Lake Superior Agate
• State Muffin:

  Blueberry

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Minnesota that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Mount Humphreys (2,691 ft)
• Lowest Point:

  Lake Agassiz (-1,234 ft)
• Longest River:

  Mississippi River (2,340 miles)
• Largest Lake:

  Lake Superior
• Coastline Length:

  1,100 miles

Records & Rankings

• Largest State by Area
• Second Largest State by Population
• Most National Parks in the US (7)
• Largest Agricultural Producer in US
• Home to World's Tallest Sand Dune

Notable Firsts

• First McDonald's Restaurant (1955)
• First Movie Theater (1893)
• First Apple Computer (1976)
• First Internet Connection (1969)
• First Modern Skateboard (1958)

Unique Features

• Only State to Host Summer & Winter Olympics
• Home to World's Oldest Living Trees
• Has Both Highest & Lowest Points in Continental US
• Produces 90% of US Wine
• Home to Silicon Valley

Government & Politics

Minnesota has a three-branch system of state government.

Executive Branch

• Governor:Tim Walz
• Lieutenant Governor:Peggy Flanagan
• Attorney General:Keith Ellison

Legislative Branch

• State Senate:67 members
• House of Representatives:134 members
• Session:Meets annually

Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court
• Court of Appeals
• District Courts

Political Representation

• U.S. Senators:2
• U.S. Representatives:8
• Electoral College Votes:10

Time Zones

Minnesota operates entirely within the Central Time Zone.

Time Zone

• Central Time Zone (CT)

Daylight Saving

• Observes DST:Yes
• Start:Second Sunday in March
• End:First Sunday in November

Standard Time

• UTC-6 (November-March)

Daylight Time

• UTC-5 (March-November)

Education

Minnesota is known for its strong education system and high literacy rates.

Higher Education

• University of Minnesota System
• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU)
• Private Colleges Council (17 institutions)

Notable Institutions

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Carleton College
• Macalester College
• St. Olaf College

K-12 Education

• Public School Districts:300+
• Charter Schools:160+
• Private Schools:450+

Educational Rankings

• High School Graduation Rate:83.8%
• College Readiness Rank:Top 10 nationally
• Public Education Quality:Among top states

Culture & Festivals

Minnesota's cultural scene reflects its diverse population and rich traditions.

Annual Events

• Minnesota State Fair
• Winter Carnival (St. Paul)
• Aquatennial (Minneapolis)
• Bayfront Blues Festival (Duluth)

Arts & Culture

• Guthrie Theater
• Minneapolis Institute of Art
• Minnesota Orchestra
• Walker Art Center

Cultural Districts

• Northeast Minneapolis Arts District
• Lowertown St. Paul
• Uptown Minneapolis
• Cathedral Hill

Sports & Teams

Minnesota has a passionate sports culture with professional teams in all major leagues.

Professional Teams

• Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
• Minnesota Twins (MLB)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
• Minnesota Wild (NHL)
• Minnesota United FC (MLS)

College Sports

• University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
• Minnesota State Mavericks
• St. Cloud State Huskies

Notable Venues

• U.S. Bank Stadium
• Target Field
• Xcel Energy Center
• Target Center
• Allianz Field

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Minnesota cuisine reflects its Scandinavian heritage and local ingredients, particularly wild rice and freshwater fish.

Signature Dishes

• Hotdish
• Wild Rice Soup
• Jucy Lucy
• Lefse
• Lutefisk

Local Specialties

• Minnesota Wild Rice
• Walleye
• Swedish Meatballs
• State Fair Foods

Famous Exports

• Spam (Hormel Foods)
• Betty Crocker Products
• General Mills Cereals

Craft Beer Scene

• Surly Brewing
• Summit Brewing
• Indeed Brewing

Infrastructure

Minnesota maintains extensive transportation and utility networks to serve its population.

Highway System

• Extensive network of interstates including I-35, I-94, and I-90

Public Transportation

• Light Rail Transit System
• Northstar Commuter Rail
• Metro Transit bus system

Major Ports

• Port of Duluth
• Ports along the Mississippi River

Energy & Water

• Major utilities like Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power
• Mississippi River and Great Lakes water resources

Notable Historical Figures

Many influential individuals have shaped Minnesota's history and culture.

Political Leaders

• Hubert H. Humphrey
• Walter Mondale
• Eugene McCarthy

Business Leaders

• James J. Hill
• Richard M. Schulze
• Curt Carlson

Cultural Icons

• Prince
• Bob Dylan
• Charles Schulz
• Garrison Keillor

Athletes

• Kirby Puckett
• Kevin McHale
• Lindsay Whalen

State Government Services

Minnesota provides comprehensive government services through various departments and agencies.

Health Services

• MinnesotaCare
• Medical Assistance
• Minnesota Department of Health

Education

• Minnesota Department of Education
• Minnesota State Grant Program
• Early Learning Programs

Social Services

• Minnesota Family Investment Program
• Food Support
• Child Care Assistance

Transportation

• MnDOT
• Metro Transit
• Driver and Vehicle Services

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Historic documents and sites reflect Minnesota's evolution from Native American settlements through European colonization.

State Constitution

• Original 1858 Constitution
• Current Constitution with multiple amendments

Missions & Preserved Sites

• Minnesota Missions (21 total)
• Sibley House (key fur trade site)

Archival Repositories

• Minnesota State Archives in St. Paul
• Blanden Library at St. Olaf College

Environmental Initiatives

Minnesota leads in environmental protection and conservation efforts.

Conservation Programs

• Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
• Minnesota Conservation Volunteer
• Reinvest in Minnesota

Renewable Energy

• Wind Power Development
• Solar Incentives
• Biofuel Programs

Water Protection

• Clean Water Partnership
• Lake Protection Programs
• Mississippi River Projects

Wildlife Management

• Wolf Management Plan
• Deer Population Control
• Fish Stocking Programs

Major Events & Conferences

As a global hub for technology, entertainment, and innovation, Minnesota hosts numerous high-profile events throughout the year.

Technology Conferences

• Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (St. Paul)
• Google I/O (Minneapolis)
• Dreamforce (Salesforce, St. Paul)
• TechCrunch Disrupt

Film & TV Events

• Minnesota Film Festival (St. Paul)
• Twin Cities Film Festival (Minneapolis)
• Hollywood Award Season

Trade Shows & Expos

• Natural Products Expo West (St. Paul)
• E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo, Minneapolis)
• NAMM (Music trade show, St. Paul)

Civic & Cultural Gatherings

• Minnesota State Fair
• Midsummer Festival (St. Paul)
• St. Patrick's Day Parade (Duluth)