About Minnesota

Located in the heart of the Midwest, Minnesota is known as the "Land of 10,000 lakes" and is where the Mississippi River begins. Minnesota has a rich culture and history and is home to over twenty Fortune 500 companies, the internationally distinguished Mayo Clinic, the Twin Cities metro area, and the vast agricultural, mining, reservation and prairie lands of greater Minnesota.

Minnesota is an exciting state to explore, from our State Fair--the second largest in the world--where you can enjoy one of over 60 types of various food on a stick, to the SPAM Museum in Austin, to Lake Superior, or one of Minnesota's 11,842 other lakes.

Minnesota Tourism Links

• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
• Minnesota Tourism.org
• Explore Minnesota Website
• Minnesota Historical Society Website

Fun Minnesota Facts

• Francis Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby was born in St. Paul, Minnesota.
• The world's largest pelican stands at the base of the Mill Pond dam on the Pelican River, right in downtown Pelican Rapids. The 15 1/2 feet tall concrete statue was built in 1957.
• The first open heart surgery and the first bone marrow transplant in the United States were done at the University of Minnesota.
• The stapler was invented in Spring Valley, Minnesota.
• Candy maker Frank C. Mars of Minnesota introduced the Milky Way candy bar in 1923. Mars marketed the Snickers bar in 1930 and introduced the 5 cent Three Musketeers bar in 1937. The original 3 Musketeers bar contained 3 bars in one wrapper and each had a different flavor nougat inside.
• There are 201 Mud Lakes, 154 Long Lakes, and 123 Rice Lakes commonly named in Minnesota.