Quick Facts (Adapted from the New Ben’s Guide to Government)
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| Capital City: | Pierre (Pronounced Peer) |
| Nickname: | Mt. Rushmore State / Coyote State |
| Motto: | Under God the People Rule. |
| Statehood: | November 2, 1889 (39th or 40th -- Admitted the same day as ND.) |
| Origin of State’s Name: | Dakota is a Sioux Indian word for “friend.” |
| Largest Cities: | Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings |
| Border States: | Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming |
| Land Area: | 75,898 sq. mi., 16th largest |
| State Bird: | Ring-necked Pheasant |
| State Flower: | Pasqueflower (pulsatilla hirsutissima) |
| State Tree: | Black Hills Spruce (picea glauca) |
| State Song: | Hail, South Dakota |
| E-mail your Congressperson: | U.S. House: 111th Congress U.S. Senate: 111th Congress Or look up your Congressperson in the Congressional Directory database! |
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