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South Dakota

South Dakota
US State
NicknameThe Mount Rushmore State (official)
MottoUnder God the people rule
Official languagesEnglish
DemonymSouth Dakotan
CapitalPierre
Largest citySioux Falls
Area
Area Ranked17th
Total77,116 sq mi 199905 km2
Width210 mi 340 km
Length380 mi 610 km
% water1.6
Population
Pop. Rank46th
Total814,180 (2010 Census)
Density10.5 /sq mi 4.05 /km2
Elevation
Highest pointHarney Peak
7244 ft 2209 m
Mean2200 ft 670 m
Lowest pointBig Stone Lake
966 ft 295 m
Other information
Admission to UnionNovember 2, 1889|TimeZone=Central: UTC-6/-5 (40th)
GovernorDennis Daugaard (R)
Lieutenant GovernorMatt Michels (R)
LegislatureSouth Dakota Legislature
Upper houseSenate
Lower houseHouse of Representatives
U.S. SenatorsTim Johnson (D)
John Thune (R)
U.S. House delegationKristi Noem (R)
Timezone
- eastern half - Central: UTC-6/-5
- western half - Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Time zoneCentral: UTC-6/-5

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South Dakota c-enaudio=en-us-South Dakota.oggˌsaʊθ_dəˈkoʊtə is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of 77116 sqmi (199729.5 km2) and an estimated population of just over 800,000. Pierre is the state capital and Sioux Falls, with a population of nearly 160,000, is South Dakota's largest city.

South Dakota is bordered by the states of North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. The state is bisected by the Missouri River, dividing South Dakota into two geographically and socially distinct halves, known to residents as "East River" and "West River". Eastern South Dakota is home to most of the state's population, and fertile soil in this area is used to grow a variety of crops. West of the Missouri, ranching is the predominant agricultural activity, and the economy is more dependent on tourism and defense spending. The Black Hills, a group of low pine-covered mountains, is located in the southwest part of the state. The Black Hills are sacred to the Sioux. Mount Rushmore, a major tourist destination, is located there. Other attractions in the southwest include Badlands and Wind Cave national parks, Custer State Park, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and historic Deadwood. South Dakota experiences a temperate continental climate, with four distinct seasons and precipitation ranging from moderate in the east to semi-arid in the west. The ecology of the state features species typical of a North American grassland biome.

Humans have inhabited the area for several millennia, with the Sioux becoming dominant by the early 19th century. In the late 19th century, European-American settlement intensified after a gold rush in the Black Hills and the construction of railroads from the east. Encroaching miners and settlers caused conflict that triggered a number of Indian Wars, ending with the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. Key events in the 20th century included the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, increased federal spending during the 1940s and 50s for agriculture and defense, and an industrialization of agriculture which has much reduced family farming. While several Democratic senators have represented South Dakota for multiple terms at the federal level, the state government is largely dominated by the Republican Party, whose nominees have carried South Dakota in each of the most recent eleven presidential elections. Historically dominated by an agricultural economy and a rural lifestyle, South Dakota has recently sought to diversify its economy to attract and retain residents. It is still largely rural and has the fifth-lowest population density among U.S. states. South Dakota's history and rural character still strongly influence the culture of the state.


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