Minnesota

Minnesota is a state in the US, bordering South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Canada. Minnesota also borders Lake Superior, one of the great lakes. Minnesota is nicknamed the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", despite the fact that the actual number of lakes in the state is 11,842. If you combine the shores of all of the lakes located in Minnesota, it has more shoreline than the island state of Hawaii. The state is home to over five million people and contains many attractions such as the Mall of America, the Minnesota Zoological Gardens, and Voyagers National Park. Sports fans can also find teams located in the wilds of Minnesota such as the Timberwolves (NBA), the Twins (MLB), and the \Vikings (NFL).

Minnesota is the 12th largest state in the union, covering a total of 86,943 square miles. It's population as of July 2009 was 5,266,214, making it the 21st most populous state in the union. The highest point is Eagle mountain, which stands 2,301 feet above sea level. The name "Minnesota" originates from a Dakota Sioux Indian word that means "cloudy water" or "sky water". Minnesota is also nicknamed the Gopher State and the North Star State.http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/minnesota/

Jesse Ventura

Minnesota's 38th governor Jesse Ventura was an actor, veteran, and former WWF wrestler. He was previously mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Ventura held one term as governor from 1998 until 2003.http://www.jesseventura.com/

The Dakota people, aka Sioux people had lived in Minnesota for many years by the time outsiders arrived in the 1600s. French voyagers came and traded furs with the Dakota people, however they would remain just visitors. In the early 1800s the US Government decided it needed more land and signed a treaty with the Dakota people. This treaty allowed the US to have the land where the Minnesota River joins the Mississippi River, and on this spot that Fort Snelling was built.

Over the next 50 years, the US Government would force the Dakota people to sign several more treaties, each one relinquishing more land to the US and pushing the Sioux off of their own land. In 1858 Minnesota became the 32nd state in the Union. Since then the Dakota people have migrated to the southern part of Minnesota, where there are still several indian reservations located.http://www.theus50.com/minnesota/history.php

Minnesota is the headquarters for several Fortune 1000 companies, of which some notables are...

• General Mills
• Pepsi
• Target
• 3M
• Best Buy
• Travelers

Tourism

For travel to Minnesota, Mahalo recommends trying Minneapolis and St Paul Hotels, Minneapolis and St Paul Vacation, Minneapolis and St Paul Restaurants, and Minneapolis and St Paul Tours.

• • Mahalo's Guide To a Minneapolis and St. Paul Vacation
• The New York Times: Minnesota Travel Guide
• Official Site: Explore Minnesota
• Frommer's: Minnesota Travel Guide
• Frommer's: St. Paul Travel Guide
• Fodor's: Minneapolis and St. Paul Travel Guide

• Craigmische.com: Lake Front Homes