Minnesota is one of the “summer/winter” peak-season states.
The region’s snowy winters make it a favorite destination of skiers,
snow-boarders, ice-skaters and other cold-weather sports enthusiasts.
The Minnesota summers are mild and pleasant, if a little humid in places,
so there’s plenty of outdoor adventure to be had boating, fishing
and camping. Either of these times of year are going to see some sizable
crowds at the hotspots, so visitors may want to take advantage of them
earlier in the season (though this tactic is admittedly harder for winter
sports lovers, as the slopes are generally hit the minute there’s
enough powder).
State Abbreviation: MN
State Capital: St. Paul
Largest City: Minneapolis
Area: 86,943 square miles (12th biggest in the USA)
Minnesota Population: 5,100,958 (as of 2004)
Major Industries: farming, paper pulp, mining
Minnesota Rivers: Minnesota River, Mississippi River,
Rainy River, Red River of the North, St. Croix River
Minnesota Lakes: Upper Red Lake, Lower Red Lake, Mille
Lacs Lake, Vermillion Lake, Rainy Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lake Superior,
Leech Lake, Winnibigoshish Lake, Lake Pepin
Highest Point: Eagle Mountain - 2,301 feet above sea
level
Origin of the Name Minnesota: from a Dakota Sioux Indian
word for "sky water".
State Nickname: Gopher State, North Star State
State Motto: The Star of the North
State Song: Hail Minnesota
