North Dakota Geography

Basic Facts

• Geographical Region: Midwest
• Size: 70704 sq.mi., 19th rank overall.
• Admitted to Statehood: November 2,1889
• Population: 646,844;48th rank overall.
• Capital: Bismarck
• Other Major City: Fargo
• Abbreviation: ND

Fun Facts

• Nickname: Peace Garden State
• State Flag: Click Here (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Bird: Western Meadowlark (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose (opens window to 50states.com)

Geographical Description

• The eastern part of the state is flat with fertile farmlands supporting a large agriculture industry. It is called the Red River Valley.
• To the west of the Red River Valley is the Drift Prairie, marked by rolling hills, stream valleys and occasional moraines. These lands also support a large agriculture industry.
• The Great Plains occupy the southwestern half of North Dakota. This area is hilly with many mineral deposits.
• Also in the southwestern portion of the state is the Badlands. These sandstone and clay formations have been shaped and molded by the high winds and water for centuries.

Map: Relief Map of ND

Industry

Petroleum, food processing, machinery, natural gas, mining, tourism

Agriculture

Wheat, grains, cattle, dairy products, barley, sunflowers, milk, sugar beets

Other Information

Fun Facts:

• Rugby is home to the geographical center of North America that is marked by a rock obelisk with U.S. and Canadian flags flying next to it.
• In 1982, Rutland went into the Guinness Book of World Records with the World's Largest Hamburger that weighed 3,591 pounds.
• North Dakota has more registered vehicles than it has residents.
• The Hunkpapa Sioux leader, Sitting Bull, was originally buried on the western edge of Fort Yates.
• The state's eastern edge was a vast glacial lake bed 10,000 years ago.

More Fun Facts: http://www.50states.com/facts/ndakota.htm