North Dakota is the northernmost of the Great Plains states and has spectacular natural scenery. This encompasses varied terrain from rolling hills to rugged mountains and from valleys to prairies. Besides being the the 17th-largest US state, it is also one of the least populated.

The state shares its birthday with its ‘twin’, South Dakota. The two became the 39th and 40th states to join the USA in 1889 (although due to some elaborate procedure to allay rivalry, no-one knows exactly which state was included first). Despite their similarities with regard to both history and geography, there has, in fact, been surprisingly little contact between the two states. This may be as a result of the fact that the major transportation routes, both road and rail, run in an east-west direction. Indeed, for many travellers, all they will see of North Dakota will be the gas stations and motels on I-94 as they pass through the state. It is well worth it, however, to get off the highways and explore North Dakota’s beautiful, remote countryside and charming towns, which still retain something of a frontier feel.

In the east of the state is North Dakota’s largest town, Fargo, which recently shot to movie prominence. In the centre of the state is the capital, Bismarck. From the western banks of the great Missouri River, to the rugged, yet picturesque Bad Lands – this is where US President, Theodore Roosevelt found ‘perfect freedom’.

Arts & Culture, History
North Dakota