Minnesota, also known as the North Star State or Gopher State, is a midwestern state in the United States. It is bordered by the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota, as well as Canada. Minnesota has an area of 86,935 square miles (225,161 square kilometers) and a population of 5,706,494 people, according to the 2022 estimates.
The capital city of Minnesota is St. Paul. The state is known for its extensive woodlands, fertile prairies, and numerous lakes. Before European settlement, the land was inhabited by Ojibwa (Chippewa or Anishinaabe) and the Dakota (Sioux) peoples.
Today, services are the main economic activity of Minnesota, but agriculture remains important. The state produces grains, meat, and dairy products. In addition to iron ore, minerals such as granite and limestone are mined here.
In terms of its attractions, Minnesota is known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," with several iconic bodies of water including Lake Superior, Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake, and Whitefish Lake. It is also called the "Land of Sky-blue Waters" thanks to its many rivers and streams.
The official state bird of Minnesota is the common loon, while the pink and white lady’s slipper is the state flower. The state song is “Hail! Minnesota”. As of 2021, Minnesota has 8 seats in the US House of Representatives (out of 435). It is located in the Central time zone (GMT -6 hours).