Name Etomology: from Dakota word Mini Sota Makoce ("Land of Cloudy Waters")

Total Area: 84,068 square miles (217,736 square kilometers - the 12th largest state)

Motto: L'Etoile du Nord (The North Star)

Length (longest distance, north to south): 411 miles

Width (longest distance, east to west): 357 miles

Designation as a Territory: March 3, 1849

Entrance into Union: May 11, 1858 (the 32d state to enter the Union)

State Song: "Hail! Minnesota."

Abbreviation: MN

Population: 4,375,099 (1990 census) - 20th largest state - 70.6% urban, 29.4% rural, 94.4% White, 2.2% African American, 1.8% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.2% Hispanic, 1.1% American Indian, Aleutian, or Eskimo, 0.5% other.

Population Density: 54.3 persons per square mile

Capitol: St. Paul

Largest City: Minneapolis (368,383 people)

Average Elevation: 1,200 feet

Highest Point: Eagle Mountain, 2,301 feet

Lowest Point: surface of Lake Superior, 602 feet

Total Area of Inland Water: 4,779 square miles

Number of Lakes Over 10 Acres: 15,291

Largest Lake: Red Lake, 451 square miles

Average Annual Precipitation: 28.32 inches

Average Annual Snowfall: 49.6 inches

Average temperature in January: 11.2° F

Average Temperature in July: 73.1° F
State Tree: Norway Pine (Pinus resinosa)
State Flower: Pink and White (Showy) Lady's Slipper (Cypripedum reginae)

State Bird: Common Loon (Gavia immer)

State Fish: Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum)

State Gemstone: Lake Superior Agate

State Grain: Wild Rice (Zizania aquatica)

State Drink: Milk

State Mushroom: Morel mushroom

State Muffin: Blueberry