Exploration
of this area began in 1743 when Louis-Joseph and François Verendrye
came from France in search of a route to the Pacific.
The
U.S. acquired the region as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and it was
explored by Lewis and Clark in 1804–1806. Fort Pierre, the first permanent
settlement, was established in 1817.
Settlement
of South Dakota did not begin in earnest until the arrival of the railroad in
1873 and the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874.
Agriculture
is a cultural and economic mainstay, but it no longer leads the state in employment
or share of gross state product. Durable-goods manufacturing and private services
have evolved as the drivers of the economy. Tourism is also a booming industry
in the state, generating over a billion dollars' worth of economic activity each
year.
South
Dakota is the second-largest producer of flaxseed and sunflower seed in the nation.
It is the third-largest producer of hay and rye.
The
Black Hills are the highest mountains east of the Rockies. Mt. Rushmore, in this
group, is famous for the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore
Roosevelt, which were carved in granite by Gutzon Borglum. A memorial to Crazy
Horse is also being carved in granite near Custer.
Other
tourist attractions include the Badlands; the World's Only Corn Palace, in Mitchell;
and the city of Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok was killed in 1876 and where
gambling was recently legalized.
Coming
Soon!
See
more on South Dakota: Encyclopedia: South Dakota Encyclopedia: Geography Encyclopedia:
Economy Encyclopedia: Government Encyclopedia: History Monthly Temperature
Extremes
Accredited
Colleges and Universities
Selected
famous natives and residents:
Sparky Anderson baseball manager; Gertrude
Bonnin (Zitkala-Sa) Sioux writer and pan-Indian activist; Tom Brokaw TV newscaster;
Robert Casey writer; Myron Floren accordionist; Joseph J. Foss WW
II Marine fighter ace; Mary Hart TV host; Crazy Horse Oglala chief; Oscar
Howe Sioux artist; Hubert H. Humphrey vice president; Cheryl Ladd actress;
Ernest Orlando Lawrence physicist; Russell Means American Indian activist;
George McGovern politician; Arthur C. Mellette first governor; Dorothy
Provine actress; Rain-in-the-Face Hunkpapa Sioux chief; Red Cloud chief
of the Oglala Sioux; Ben Reifel Brulé Sioux congressman; Ole Edvart
Rølvaag writer; Sitting Bull chief of Hunkpappa Sioux; Norm Van
Brocklin football player; Mamie Van Doren actress.
Capital:
Pierre
State
abbreviation/Postal code: S.D./SD
Governor:
Mike Rounds, R (to Jan. 2007)
Lieut.
Governor: Dennis Daugaard, R (to Jan. 2007)
Senators:
John R. Thune, R (to Jan. 2011); Tim Johnson, D (to Jan. 2009)
U.S.
Representatives: 1
Atty.
General: Larry Long, R (to Jan. 2007)
Secy.
of State: Chris Nelson, R (to Jan. 2007)
Treasurer:
Vernon L. Larson, R (to Jan. 2007)
Organized
as territory: March 2, 1861
Entered
Union (rank): Nov. 2, 1889 (40)
Present
constitution adopted: 1889
Motto:
Under God the people rule
State
symbols: flower American pasqueflower (1903) grass Western wheat grass
(1970) soil houdek (1990) tree black hills spruce (1947) bird ring-necked
pheasant (1943) insect honeybee (1978) animal coyote (1949) mineral
stone rose quartz (1966) gemstone fairburn agate (1966) colors blue and
gold (in state flag) song “Hail! South Dakota” (1943) fish walleye
(1982) musical instrument fiddle (1989) dessert kuchen (2000)
Nicknames:
Mount Rushmore State; Coyote State
Origin
of name: From the Sioux tribe, meaning “allies”
10
largest cities (2003 est.): Sioux Falls, 133,834; Rapid City, 60,876; Aberdeen,
24,086; Watertown, 20,191; Brookings, 18,464; Mitchell, 14,677; Pierre, 13,939;
Yankton, 13,440; Huron, 11,377; Vermillion, 10,070
Land
area: 75,885 sq mi. (196,542 sq km)
Geographic
center: In Hughes Co., 8 mi. NE of Pierre
Number
of counties: 66 (64 county governments)
Largest
county by population and area: Minnehaha, 157,366 (2004); Meade, 3,471 sq
mi.
State
parks: 12 plus 39 recreational areas (87,269 ac.)1
Residents:
South Dakotan
2004
resident population est.: 770,883
2000
resident census population (rank): 754,844 (46). Male: 374,558 (49.6%); Female:
380,286 (50.4%). White: 669,404 (88.7%); Black: 4,685 (0.6%); American Indian:
62,283 (8.3%); Asian: 4,378 (0.6%); Other race: 3,677 (0.5%); Two or more races:
10,156 (1.3%); Hispanic/Latino: 10,903 (1.4%). 2000 percent population 18 and
over: 73.2; 65 and over: 14.3; median age: 35.6.
1.
Acreage includes 39 recreation areas and 80 roadside parks, in addition to 12
state parks.
