North Dakota

France claimed the area now known as North Dakota, along with most of North America, in 1682. IN 1713, France gave the northeastern half of North Dakota to Great Britain.

The first known explorers to actually visit North Dakota were the French-Canadian Pierre La Vérendrye and his two sons in 1738.
France is the 1st country that claimed North Dakota. France was also the 1st to explore North Dakota.

North Dakota has more than 60 wildlife refuges, more than any other state, and all are managed for waterfowl production.

More ducks reproduce in North Dakota wetlands than anywhere in the nation.

Fishing waters and rivers: 171

Total population: 638,800 (1990 census)

Average annual temperature: 70 degrees F. in summer, 7 degrees F. in winter.

Average annual snowfall: 26 to 38 inches

Geographical center of North America: 16 miles south, 7 miles west of Rugby, ND.

In a 1990 national survey, North Dakota 8th grade students ranked

first nationally in math tests. In 1992, 4th grade students tied for third in reading proficiency.

North Dakota has more miles of road per capita than any other state: 106,632 -- or approximately 166 miles of road for every 1,000 people.

The state has more registered vehicles than it has residents. It ranks third nationally for number of airports per 10,000 people, with 100 public airports and 350 private airports.

The 19-story state capitol in Bismarck, built in 1934, is still the tallest building in North Dakota.

You can try many different activities in North Dakota, such as mountain biking, horseback riding.

It has an area of 70,700 square miles.

It shares borders with Canada, Minnesota, Montana and South Dakota.

It produces 92% of the nation's canola oil.

North Dakota and South Dakota became states at the same time.

Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota.

The capital of North Dakota is Bismarck.

The International Peace Garden is located on the border of North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada.

North Dakota and South Dakota became states at the same time, on November 2, 1889. No one knows which one became a state first, but North Dakota is usually considered to be the 39th state since it is listed first alphabetically.

Highest Point: White Butte; 3,506 feet

Lowest Point: Red River; 750 feet

State motto: Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable.

Official State Nickname: The Peace Garden State

Other unofficial state nicknames are the Flickertail State and the Roughrider State.

It is 663 miles according to Google Maps taking this route:

1. Take HIGHWAY 75 - SOUTH, from Winnipeg, to the U.S. BORDER X-ING at EMERSON (MB) - PEMBINA (ND). Once you are in the U.S.A., you will be continuing on I-29 SOUTH towards GRAND FORKS.
2. Take I-29 SOUTH to I-94 WEST to BISMARCK at EXIT 63B.
3. Take I-94 WEST to BISMARCK.