 North
Dakota Information
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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