- Minnesota Fast Facts -

Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," much of what is now the state of Minnesota was acquired by the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. After several territorial changes Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858. It is bordered on the west by North Dakota and South Dakota, on the south by Iowa. It shares a land and water border with Wisconsin on the east, and a water border (Lake Superior) on the east with Michigan. It is bordered on the north by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario. It is the northernmost state of the 48 contiguous state and the Northwest Angle, in northern Lake of the Woods County, is the only place in the United States, aside from Alaska, that is north of the 49th parallel.

Minnesota's 86,943 square miles of land is divided into 87 counties, the largest of which is St. Louis County. The smallest, but most densely populated county is Ramsey County. The mighty Mississippi River begins its journey at Lake Itasca in southeastern Clearwater County. The twin ports of Duluth, MN., and Superior, WI., are together (Port of Duluth-Superior) considered the largest freshwater port in the world and the number one volume port on the Great Lakes. The capital of Minnesota is Saint Paul and the largest city is Minneapolis.

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