Minnesota

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State in north-central USA, situated in the Great Lakes region and bordered to the east by Wisconsin and Lake Superior, to the south by Iowa, to the west by North Dakota and South Dakota, and to the north by the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba; area 206,189 sq km/79,610 sq mi; population (2000) 4,919,500; capital St Paul. Its nickname the North Star State derives from the French state motto L'Etoile du Nord (‘star of the north’); the alternative nickname refers to the gophers inhabiting the prairies. Minnesota has more than 15,000 lakes created by receding glaciers following the last ice age. Three major US rivers, the Mississippi, the Red River of the North, and the St Lawrence, have their sources in the state. Minnesota's economy has historically been dominated by its timber, mining, and agricultural resources; farming is the most important economic activity, followed by food processing. Other major industries include health care, technology, and tourism. Minneapolis is the largest city and with St Paul makes up the ‘Twin Cities’ area, the commercial and cultural centre of the state. Other important cities are Duluth, Rochester, and Bloomington. Originally home to the Dakota Sioux and Chippewa American Indians, the Chippewa had become dominant by 1862 and remain on seven reservations; the Dakota Sioux retain four communities. Minnesota was made a territory in 1849, and became a major flour-milling centre after the coming of the railway in 1867. Minnesota was admitted to the Union on 11 May 1858 as the 32nd US state.

The arms show a Bible open at the Gospel of St John, a Trinitarian symbol. The white cross symbolizes faith. The arms appear on national and state flags. Effective date: 14 September 1863. >>