Moving to South Dakota? More information about South Dakota, SD.
South Dakota is the 17
th Largest among the United States, spanning an area of 75,898 sq mi and water area of 1224 sq mi. It acquired statehood on November 2, 1889. South Dakota is the 40
th state of the 50 United States of America. The name Dakota is derived from a Sioux term meaning friends or allies. South Dakota is nicknamed The Mount Rushmore State. This national memorial is carved into a granite bluff in South Dakota's Black Hills.
Economy of South Dakota
Personal income per Capita - $17,562 (Recent census - 1999)
Agriculture - Cattle, Hogs, Wheat, Soybeans, Milk, Corn.
Industry - Food Processing, Machinery, Lumber and Wood Products, Tourism.
History of South Dakota
As the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, land and crop prices doubled in South Dakota. The drought ended for a time during the 1920s, but returned in 1930. South Dakota not only experienced its worst drought in history during this time, but a grasshopper plague and huge dust storms from the dry soil. The Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program created four major dams throughout the state to provide electricity, flood control and irrigation. These dams created the “Great Lakes of South Dakota.” New interstate highways and lakes made tourism the second largest industry after agriculture. In 1988, gambling was legalized on reservations. Today, the hotels, casinos and restaurants attract many visitors each year and provide thousands of jobs for Native Americans in South Dakota.
The South Dakota flag features the state seal surrounded by a golden blazing sun in a field of sky blue. Letters reading "South Dakota, The Mount Rushmore State" -- the official state nickname -- are arranged in a circle around the sun.
Famous people of South Dakota
Tom Brokaw (1940-) News anchor that hosts NBC Nightly News, was born in Webster.
Mary Hart (1951-) Co-host of Entertainment Tonight, was born in Madison.
Cheryl Ladd (1951-) Actress. She was famous for her role in the TV series Charlie's Angels, was born in Huron.
Norm Van Brocklin (1926-1983) Football player, was born in Eagle Butte.
Tom Daschle (1947-) Senator, was born in Aberdeen.
Interesting Facts about South Dakota
- More than 90 percent of South Dakota's land area was classified as farmland in the mid-1990s.
- The Badlands of South Dakota, a region of barren ravines and cliffs, were created by volcanic action as well as by wind and water erosion.
- The largest buffalo herd in the U.S. lives at the Standing Butte Ranch near Pierre.
- The Black Hills are the highest mountains east of the Rockies.
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