Minnesota is a very important state in the United States of America. Its population is more than 4,609,548 people! The state is very big, and its size is about 844,068 square miles. The rank is 20^th in the United States. The capital is St. Paul. The climate is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The location is west north central. The state is bordered on the east by Wisconsin and Lake Superior On the north is Canada and on the west are the Dakotas, and South is Iowa.

Famous people were born in Minnesota. One is Marie L. Standford she was the first American woman to become a professor at the University of Minnesota.

Minnesota's landforms include rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and forests. The Mississippi River flows right through it. There are also ten thousand lakes in Minnesota! That is why it is called, "The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes!"

Here are some fun state symbols and facts that you can learn too. The state bird is the Common Loon. The flower is the Pink and White Lady Slippers. Did you ever here the song, "Hail Minnesota?" Well, that is the state song. When you go fishing and you catch a Walleye fish you will know that it is the state fish. Do you know the Red Pine Tree? There might be some in your backyard if you live in Minnesota because it is the state tree. Also the state has a few nicknames. They are the "North Star State," "The Bread and Butter State," and the "Gopher State."

Minnesota has a long history. Even though people who had no material, they built houses on the Minnesota prairie. They only had sod and twigs so they made houses out of those things. Later in history, in 1679, Senor Dulhut explored the region and claimed it for France. Then in 1689, the first trading post was built near Lake Pepin. Sixty-four years later Great Britain took over. Then in 1823, the first steamboat reached Minnesota. Finally, Henry A. Swift became the first state governor. Minnesota became a state on May 11, 1858.

There are many customs in Minnesota. They have a wonderful state fair in September. There are also a lot of wonderful tourist camps and great places for your family to picnic by a lake. Do you know where you can do your favorite water sports? Minessots! You could do so many enjoyable activities in Minnesota. Also you could go fishing in a nearby lake. There are also many places you could go to visit. Here are some examples: The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis Spulpture Garden and the Rod Theater.

Minnesota manufactures many things such as dairy, flour, sugar, canning, printing and publishing, making electronic equipment, paper and wood items and rubber and plastic items. There are many animals in Minnesota like cows, sheep, chickens and turkeys.

There are some types of land forms in Minnesota. The highest point in Minnesota is 701m (2300 ft.) at Eagle Mountain. The lowest point in Minnesota is 183m (602 ft.) at the shore of Lake Superior. There are some natural resources in Minnesota. Below ground is limestone and soil.