About North Dakota
North Dakota became a state in 1889.
North Dakota is home to more than 600,000 people, and stretches across a vast landscape.
The state is more than 8 times the size of the Massachusetts.
Often called the “Saudi Arabia of wind energy,” the state has a larger wind energy resource than any other state. In addition, North Dakota’s diverse energy portfolio includes ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, coal, oil and natural gas. To help expand the state’s energy resources, Senator Dorgan created the Energy Corridor in North Dakota to attract business investments and bring better-paying jobs to the state.
North Dakota is also home of the Red River Valley Research Corridor (RRVRC), which Senator Dorgan created to bring federal research funding and economic development to the state to develop North Dakota’s major universities into world class research institutions. A report by North Dakota State University researcher Dr. Larry Leistritz showed that since its conception in 2002, the RRVRC has generated $759 million in positive economic impact and added thousands of jobs to the regional economy.
Agriculture dominates the state’s economy. North Dakota has the number one production of spring wheat, durum wheat, sunflowers, all dry edible beans, pinto beans, canola, flaxseed, all dry edible peas, honey, lentils and navy beans.
North Dakota’s nicknames include the Flickertail State, Peace Garden State, Roughrider State, and Sioux State.
Dakota is the Lakota word for “friend.”
North Dakota is home to more wildlife refuges than any other state.
North Dakota has the largest turtle, walleye, catfish, Holstein cow, sandhill crane and buffalo statues in the world.
Some of the world’s largest metal sculptures, produced by artist Gary Greff, are located on North Dakota’s Enchanted Highway, located on Exit 72 off of Interstate 94.
The geographical center of North America is located in Pierce County, North Dakota.
North Dakota has a rich history of historical figures who spent time in the state, and many native sons and daughters who went on to break records and become star athletes and artists. Read about North Dakota’s historical figures, record breakers, star athletes and artists.
