North Dakota Info
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Capital
City: Bismarck
Economy: Agriculture and energy
reserves.
Population: 638,244
Time Zone: 6-7 hours behind
Greenwich Mean Time (-6 and -7 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from
the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October
North Dakota's Flag:
North Dakota's dark blue field displays a bald eagle holding an olive branch
and a bundle of arrows in its claws. In its beak, the eagle carries a ribbon
with the words " One nation made up of many states". The shield
on its breast has thirteen stars, representing the original thirteen states.
The fan shaped design above the eagle represents the birth of a new nation,
the United States. The name "North Dakota" appears on a red scroll
below the eagle.
History of North
Dakota: North Dakota was explored in 1738–40 by French
Canadians led by sieur de la Verendrye. In 1803, the U.S. acquired most
of North Dakota from France in the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis and Clark explored
the region in 1804–06 and the first settlements were made at Pembina
in 1812 by Scottish and Irish families while this area was still in dispute
between the U.S. and Great Britain. In 1818, the U.S. obtained the northeastern
part of North Dakota by treaty with Great Britain and took possession of
Pembina in 1823. North Dakota is the most rural of all the states, with
farms covering more than 90% of the land. North Dakota ranks first in the
nation's production of spring and durum wheat, and the state's coal and
oil reserves are plentiful. Other agricultural products include barley,
rye, sunflowers, dry edible beans, honey, oats, flaxseed, sugar beets, hay,
beef cattle, sheep, and hogs. Recently, manufacturing industries have grown,
especially food processing and farm equipment. The state also produces natural
gas, lignite, salt, clay, sand, and gravel. The Garrison Dam on the Missouri
River provides extensive irrigation and produces 400,000 kilowatts of electricity
for the Missouri Basin areas. Known for its waterfowl, grouse, and deer
hunting and bass, trout, and northern pike fishing, North Dakota has 20
state parks and recreation areas. Points of interest include the International
Peace Garden near Dunseith, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site,
the State Capitol at Bismarck, the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National
Park, and Fort Lincoln, now a state park, from which Gen. George Custer
set out on his last campaign in 1876.
Other North Dakota Links:
North Dakota Department
of Public Instruction
Greater North Dakota Association
North Dakota Department of Tourism
North Dakota State Library
North Dakota Job Service
North Dakota League of Cities |
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