South Dakota

The Missouri River divides South Dakota into two distinct regions: the eastern prairies with fertile farmland and the western plains with buttes and canyons.

On November 2, 1889, South Dakota became the 40th U.S. state, entering the union simultaneously with North Dakota through a deliberate paper shuffling by President Harrison.

Nine Native American reservations across South Dakota preserve the traditions of the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota tribes through ceremonies and gatherings.

The state capital Pierre maintains government operations in central South Dakota while Sioux Falls serves as the largest commercial and population center.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills displays four presidential faces carved into granite, measuring 60 feet high and attracting millions of visitors.

Location: United States

Inception: November 2, 1889

Capital city: Pierre

Elevation above the sea: 670 m

Website: https://sd.gov/

Part of: contiguous United States

Shares border with: North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming

Website: https://sd.gov

GPS coordinates: 44.50000,-100.00000

Latest update: May 27, 2025 19:48