Higher Education  

The North Dakota University System is comprised of 11 public colleges and universities. State colleges and universities are Bismarck State College, in Bismarck; Dakota College at Bottineau, in Bottineau; Dickinson State University, in Dickinson; Lake Region State College, in Devils Lake; Mayville State University, in Mayville; Minot State University, in Minot; North Dakota State College of Science, in Wahpeton; North Dakota State University, in Fargo; University of North Dakota, in Grand Forks; Valley City State University, in Valley City; and Williston State College, in Williston. Private institutions include the University of Mary in Bismarck, and Jamestown College in Jamestown. In addition, North Dakota has five tribal colleges.

Geography

Covering an area of 183,118 square kilometers, North Dakota is characterized by a predominantly flat terrain. The state can be divided into three main regions: the Red River Valley, the Drift Prairie, and the Missouri Plateau. In the eastern part of the state, the Red River Valley contains some of the richest soil in the world. The Drift Prairie region is an area of lakes and prairie potholes formed by ancient glaciers. Differing greatly from the other two regions, the Missouri Plateau in the west is a land of rocks, hills, and short grasses that is suitable for raising cattle. A spectacular part of the Missouri Plateau is the Badlands, which is composed of colorful hills that have been eroded by wind and water. North Dakota's major rivers are the Missouri and the Red River of the North. Lake Sakakawea, with an area of 148,926 hectares, is America's largest artificially created lake within the boundaries of one state. North Dakota's major cities are Fargo, Bismarck (capital), Grand Forks, Minot, Jamestown, Dickinson, and Mandan. The state's population is around 640,000.

Climate

Located exactly in the center of the North American continent, North Dakota has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Temperature variations from winter to summer are among the most extreme on the entire continent. In January, the average temperature is -16° C in the northeast and -10° C in the southwest. July temperatures average around 19° C in the north and 23° C in the south. Statewide, the average annual precipitation (rainfall) is less than 43 cm; however, snowfall averages 81 cm each year.

Cultural Profile

North Dakota's museums and art galleries include the North Dakota State Museum in Bismarck; an official state art gallery at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks; E'Lan Art Gallery in Bismarck; a regional museum of the Red River and the northern plains at Bonanzaville, USA, in West Fargo; and an Indian museum at New Town.

Many performing arts organizations in the state receive funding from the North Dakota Council on the Arts. This funding helps to support dance, symphony, opera, choral, and theater programs throughout the state. Three annual events that receive national attention are the Dakota Cowboy Poetry Gathering at Medora on Memorial Day weekend, the Medora Musical held nightly each summer in a natural outdoor amphitheater, and the International Old-Time Fiddler's Contest and Festival of the Arts concerts at the International Peace Garden.

Recreation

Divided into three units Theodore Roosevelt National Park features buffalo, elk, prairie dogs, native plants and geological features such as colored clays and petrified trees. In addition, the state has fifteen state parks and four recreation areas, including Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, south of Mandan; Lewis and Clark State Park, southeast of Williston; and Lake Sakakawea State Park, on the south shore of Lake Sakakawea. Popular outdoor activities include boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, canoeing, hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, camping, horseback trail riding, and biking.

Interesting Facts

North Dakota has the lowest crime rate of all the 50 states. North America's geographical center is located at Rugby, North Dakota. North Dakota is the only state to share a golf course with another country (Canada). Famous North Dakotans include Angie Dickinson (actress), Carl Ben Eielson (aviator), John Bernard Flannagan (sculptor), Phyllis Frelich (actress), Louis L'Amour (writer), Johnny Lang (musician), Peggy Lee (singer), Eric Sevareid (broadcast journalist), Dorothy Stickney (actress), Bobby Vee (singer), Lawrence Welk (musician and entertainer), and Larry Woiwode (writer).