North Dakota State Guide

The state of North Dakota is located in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. North Dakota was admitted to the Union as the 39th State on 2nd November, 1889^[1]. The state also has several nicknames like the Peace Garden State, Flickertail State and Roughrider State. The Capital of North Dakota is Bismarck.

History of North Dakota

The land had been occupied for many centuries before Euro-American settlement of the Northern Plains began in the 19th Century. Distinct Indian groups existed in what is now known as North Dakota, when the first white explorers arrived. The groups included the Dakota or Lakota, Assiniboine, Mandan, Cheyenne, Arikara and Hidatsa. Around 1800, groups of Chippewa (or Ojibway) moved into the northern Red River valley.

The invasion of the Euro-Americans into the Northern Plains caused few confrontations with Indian peoples, for the most part. However the pattern changed in 1863, 1864, and 1865. After 1861, when Dakota Territory was organized by Congress, the American settlement of the Northern Plains commenced. Until the late 19th century, when the railroads were constructed into the region, Dakota Territory was settled sparsely by European Americans.

On February 22, 1889 during the administration of Grover Cleveland, a bill titled the Enabling Act of 1889, for statehood for North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and Montana was passed. His successor, Benjamin Harrison approved the proclamations and formally included North Dakota to the Union on 2nd November, 1889 as the 39th state. The first Governor of the new state was John Miller.

After World War insurgency among wheat farmers, especially among Norwegian immigrants led to a radical political movement. These movements propagated the Non Partisan League (NPL) in 1915. Non Partisan League made many progressive reforms like the improved state services and full suffrage for women to state ownership of banks, mills and elevators, and insurances. The Great Depression of the 1930s both slowed progress of the state. Wartime prosperity continued during the late 1940s.

Even as the state continued to grow, established political patterns and modernization continued. The Republican Organizing Committee (ROC) , soon became powerful after 1943. During the 1950s, a round of federal investment and construction projects started which included the Garrison Dam and the Minot and Grand Forks Air Force bases.

In the late 1970s and early 1980 there was a boom in oil exploration in western North Dakota. In recent times, the economy of the state is strong with lower unemployment rate than the national average and strong job and population growth.

Geography of North Dakota

The State of North Dakota is bordered Minnesota in the east, Montana on the west,Canada on the north and South Dakota on the south. North Dakota is home to several wildlife refuges than any other state. Birding opportunities and Wildlife viewing and are abundant in the state. The total land area of the state is 70,704 square miles and in ranks 18th in land area in the nation.

North Dakota Land Regions

The State of North Dakota is divided into three geographic regions which are: Red River Valley in the east, to the west of the Red River Valley is the Drift Prairie. North Dakota’s southwestern half is covered by the Great Plains.

Red River Valley

The Red River Valley in North Dakota is a flat surface. It is located along Minnesota border and is one of the most fertile areas in the world. This region of North Dakota is farm country and wheat and other crops, along with livestock cover the area.

Drift Prairie

Drift Prairie lies to the west of the Red River Valley and it raises from 200 to 2,000 feet over the Red River Valley. The Pembina Hills separates the Drift Prairie from the Red River Valley in the north. This region is known for stream valleys, rolling hills and numerous lakes. In the north of this region are the Turtle Mountains.

Great Plains

Great Plains covers about half of North Dakota. Located in the southwestern section of the state, the Great Plains rise about 300 to 400 feet above the Drift Prairie in the east of the Missouri River. The area is rich in mineral deposits. The land is lower, along the Missouri River. This region is called the Missouri Break. To the west and south of the river is an area of rugged valleys and buttes called the Slope.

The Badlands

The Badlands are located in southwestern North Dakota. This region is a valley of Clay and stones where water and wind have shaped the land into beautiful and strange formations like pyramids, buttes, domes, and cones colored in shades of reds, browns, yellows and grays. In some parts of this region the rocks contain lignite coal that has been burning for several years. The clay above these coal beds has turned bright pink and red. White Butte, the highest point in North Dakota is located in the Badlands.

Climate

North Dakota experiences a Sub-humid continental climate. The annual mean precipitation in the state ranges from 13 inches in the northwest to more than 20 inches in the southeast. The average yearly temperature varies from 37 degrees F in the northeast to 43 degrees F in the south in North Dakota. January, the coldest month, in the state and the average temperatures range from 2 degrees in the northeast to 17 degrees in the southwest. The warmest month, is July and the average temperatures range from 67 degrees in the northeast 73 degrees in the south.

Forest Service in North Dakota

North Dakota Forest service is responsible to protect, manage and improve and natural resource and also enhances the quality of life for present and future generations.

Contact Details
North Dakota Forest Service
Office of the State Forester
307 - 1st Street East
Bottineau ND 58318-1100
Website: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ndfs

The stretches over 1,259,000 acres. The grassland offers visitors the opportunity to view antelope, elk, bighorn, whitetail and mule deer, coyotes, sheep, sharptail grouse, greater prairie chicken, wild turkeys, pheasants, falcons, eagles, and the busy prairie dogs. The grassland also offers recreational facilities like hiking, horseback riding, camping, photography, fishing, canoeing, hunting and backpacking.

Contact Details
Dakota Prairie Grasslands Supervisor's Office
2000 Miriam Circle
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone no: 701-989-7300

Read more: Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

North Dakota State Forest

The North Dakota Forest Service manages five state forests and one memorial tree grove. The forests Provides recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, hunting, cross country skiing, fishing and snowmobiling. The State forests in North Dakota are:

Turtle Mountain State Forest
Homen State Forest
Tetrault Woods State Forest
Sheyenne River State Forest
Mouse River State Forest
Nowesta Memorial Tree Grove

Read more: North Dakota State Forest

Important Mountain Peaks in North Dakota

• White Butte is the highest point in North Dakota. It is located at an elevation of 3,506 ft above sea level.
• Black Butte is the second highest mountain peak in North Dakota. It is located at an elevation of a 3,465 ft above sea level.
• Located above a 3,428 ft above sea level, Sentinel Butte is the third highest mountain peak in North Dakota.
• Camel Butte is located at an altitude of 3,406 ft near Bowman in North Dakota.
• Square Butte is located at an elevation of 3,346 ft near Beach in North Dakota.

Economy of North Dakota

Several sectors play a major role in the economic growth of North Dakota. Agriculture, tourism and industries in North Dakota contribute to the economy of the state. Agriculture is the largest sector of economy of North Dakota, making up to 25% of the economic base. Tourism is the second largest industry in the state.

North Dakota Economy Fast Facts

• Gross domestic product (GDP) in (millions of current dollars) of all industry total in 2013 - $ 56,329^[4]
• North Dakota’s per capita real GDP in 2013 - $ 68,804
• North Dakota’s per capita personal income in 2014 - $ 54,951
• North Dakota’s unemployment rate in 2015- 3.1%

Agriculture in North Dakota

• North Dakota is the leading producer of sunflowers in the nation.
• North Dakota produces dry edible, navy and pinto beans, canola, flaxseed, honey, durum and spring wheat.
• Major Crops in North Dakota include Dry Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas, Potatoes and Sugarbeets.
• Important Livestock in North Dakota includes Beef, Bison, Pork,Sheep and Turkey.

Industry in North Dakota

• North Dakota is the 4th largest oil producing state in the nation after Texas, Alaska, and California.
• Natural gas production is the 6th largest industry in the state.
• The Bobcat Company is largest manufacturer in North Dakota'

Tourism in North Dakota

Tourism is also an important part of the economy of North Dakota. The tourism industry also contributes a large share to the economic development of the state. Tourism is the second largest industry in North Dakota. There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in North Dakota.

The top places to visit in North Dakota are:

911 Memorial Site
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Grahams Island State Park
Hatton-Eielson Museum
Lewis and Clark Riverboat
Little Missouri State Park
Papa's Pumpkin Patch

See more: Attractions in North Dakota

Demographics of North Dakota

The population of North Dakota as of 2014 estimation by the U.S. Census Bureau was 739,482^[5]. The 2014 census reflected a hike of 9.95% since the year 2010.

Transportation in North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Transportation is a government agency that oversees transportation system of the state. The transportation network of North Dakota that includes air, rail, public transit, and bike/pedestrian systems that is designed to improve and enhance the movement of people as well as goods in North Dakota. Many programs have been initiated and implemented by the Department for safely as well as for the beautification of the state.

The Road Transportation in North Dakota consists of several interstate highways, state routes, bridges and tunnels. The Department is determined to ensure safe, convenient and excellent transportation and also to provide easy connectivity to various cities and states. The State has more miles of road per capita than any state in the nation. There are approximately 166 miles of road for every 1,000 people in North Dakota. Therefore, the state has a large road network with a small population base to support it.The road transportation in North Dakota consists of several interstate highways, state routes, bridges and tunnels. The Department is determined to ensure safe, convenient and excellent transportation and also to provide easy connectivity to various cities and states. The State has more miles of road per capita than any state in the nation. There are approximately 166 miles of road for every 1,000 people in North Dakota. Therefore, the state has a large road network with a small population base to support it.There are approximately 35 bus programs in North Dakota. Bicycle and Pedestrian are also a very common mode of transportation in North Dakota

Air Transportation is also a major mode of transportation in the state.The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission is responsible to serve the people of the state by providing economic and technical assistance for the aviation community while making sure the safe and cost effective advancement of aviation in North Dakota. North Dakota has 89 public use airports. The primary airports in North Dakota are: Bismarck Municipal Airport, Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport, Hector International Airport, Grand Forks International Airport, Minot International Airport and Sloulin Field International Airport.

Rail Transportation is also an important means of transportation in North Dakota. Rail transportation in North Dakota consists of both the movement of people (passenger rail) and movement of goods (freight rail). North Dakota’s only passenger rail service is Amtrak’s Empire Builder. Presently there are seven railroad companies operating 3, 667miles of road in North Dakota. Among them two are Class I carriers, three are regional railroads and two are local railroads.

Read more: Transportation in North Dakota

Government of North Dakota

The North Dakota is divided into three branches the Executive branch, the Legislative branch and the Judiciary branch. The Governor is the head of the Executive Branch.

The Executive Branch of North Dakota Consists of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor and Treasurer. The Governor is the head of the executive Branch of North Dakota. The Lieutenant Governor is the second highest elected official in the state. The Lieutenant Governor serves as the President of the North Dakota Senate.

The Legislative Assembly of North Dakota is the formal designation of the state legislature. The Legislative Assembly of the state consists a House of Representative and the Senate. The first Legislative Assembly of the state was convened on November 19th 1889. The House of Representative of the state is the lower house of the state. The Senate is the upper house of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly.

The Judicial system of North Dakota consists of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, District Courts, and Municipal Courts. They together form a judicial team who is responsible to provide fair and equal system of justice to the people of North Dakota. The Supreme Court of North Dakota is the highest court in the state.

Taxation

The Office of State Tax Commissioner of North Dakota is responsible to collect tax revenue that is needed to be paid by law and required to fund the operation of state and local government, through the uniform and fair administration of North Dakota's tax laws. Major Taxes administered Office of State Tax Commissioner of North Dakota includes: Property tax, Sales Tax, Individual Income tax, Wholesale Alcohol Tax, Coal Severance Tax, Estate tax, Fiduciary Income Tax, Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax, Special Fuels Taxes and Aviation Fuel Tax.

Read more: Government of North Dakota

Healthcare in North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Health is one of the executive agencies in North Dakota. The primary aim of the Department is to safeguard and enhance safety and health of the citizen of North Dakota.

Hospitals in North Dakota are well equipped with all the modern facilities, efficiently staffed and provide 24-hour inpatient care, including nursing, medical, surgical, laboratory, anesthesia, radiology, child care, pharmacy services, mental well being, maternity care and many more services. Several organizations in North Dakota are dedicated to provide organ and blood to that in need.

The Health Insurance Programs not only protects physical health, but also financial health and peace of mind. Health insurance programs provide services to the eligible people free of cost. Health insurance program provides routine check-ups, medicines, special checkups and many more. North Dakota has initiated many programs that assist the people of the state to pay for the entire or part of their health care or medical costs.Medicaid or Medical Assistance is a government health insurance program for the people of North Dakota.

The Division of Vital Records of the North Dakota Department of Health provides registration and certification of the vital events that happen in North Dakota. The events that occur in North Dakota include births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages and divorces.

Read more: Healthcare in North Dakota

Education in North Dakota

The Education System of North Dakota is divided three parts Education Standards and Practices Board, Higher Education and K-12. The state of North Dakota consists of 11 public colleges and universities, five tribal community colleges, and four private schools.

Contact Details
Education Standards and Practices Board
2718 Gateway Avenue
Suite 303
Bismarck, ND 58503-0585
Phone no: (701) 328-9641
Fax no: (701) 328-9647
Website: http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/index.shtm

Mentioned below are the names of some universities and Colleges of North Dakota:

Bismarck State College
Dickinson State University
Lake Region State College
Mayville State University
Minot State University
Dakota College at Bottineau
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State College of Science
University of North Dakota
Valley City State University
Williston State College

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References:

1. North Dakota Statehood
2. State Symbols
3. Geography Quick Facts
4. Economy Quick Facts
5. Population Facts