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)