MINNESOTA

The name Minnesota comes from the Dakota word mní sóta, which means "clear blue water".

Minnesota's culture is influenced by many immigrant groups, including Scandinavian, Finnish, Irish, German, and Native American.

Minnesota has 69,200 miles of rivers and streams, which is enough to circle the equator two and three-quarter times.

Minnesota has more gray wolves than any other state in the Lower 48.

Minnesota's roadside attractions include, the World's Largest Ball of Twine, the Jolly Green Giant, and a giant Red Wing boot.

Minnesota was home to the first bridge to cross the Mississippi River.

Minnesota is known as "The Gopher State" because of an 1857 cartoon that made fun of a controversial bill to fund railroad construction.