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Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota, a state of the United States of America. It is named for the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck. As of the 2000 census, it has a population of 55,532, and is North Dakota's second-largest city. It is the county seat of Burleigh County, and sits directly across the Missouri River from Mandan, North Dakota. Bismarck was founded in 1872.

Overview

In Bismarck, like most US cities, the primary transportation mode is the automobile, although there is a transit system available. The city is served by one U.S. highway, U.S. 83, and one interstate highway, Interstate 94, which runs through the northern part of the city.

The Bismarck Municipal Airport is the main airport of western North Dakota, and is now in a brand new building after renovation in 2004. The airport is located in the southern half of Bismarck, in the same vicinity as the National Weather Service Building. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad serves the Bismarck - Mandan area, running east/west through the city. Bismarck has two hospitals: Medcenter One Health Systems and St. Alexius Medical Center. Bismarck is the headquarters for the Dakota Gasification Company, and is also home to the North Dakota State Penitentiary.

Bismarck has a large park system, with many exercise trails. Sertoma Park is one of the well-known parks in Bismarck, spanning over three miles along the Missouri River, which separates Bismarck and its sister city, Mandan. Along with four miles of biking trails, Sertoma Park is also home to the Dakota Zoo, and Super Slide Amusement Park. Bismarck is also home to 5 golf courses, four of which have 18 holes: Apple Creek Country Club, Hawktree Golf Club, Pebble Creek Golf Course, Riverwood Golf Course, and Tom O'Leary Golf Course.

The largest shopping center in the city is Kirkwood Mall. The city also has two other malls; the Gateway Mall and the Northbrook Mall. Both are in the northern section of the city. Wal-Mart operates two supercenters in the city. In addition to shopping centers, Bismarck also has the Bismarck Civic Center which hosts various events.

Geography

Bismarck is located at (46.813343, -100.779004).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 71.0 km² (27.4 mi²). 69.6 km² (26.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (1.90%) is water.

Climate

Located in the Great Plains between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Lakes, Bismarck possesses a climate similar to both locations. The climate is characterized by long, cold winters with average snowfall. Summers are warm, and frequently hot and humid. Thunderstorms occur in spring and summer, but in general, the Bismarck climate is quite dry.

The warmest month in Bismarck is July, where high and low temperatures average 29°C (85°F) and 14°C (56°F) respectively. The coldest month is January, at -6°C (21°F) and -18°C (-1°F). The wettest month is June, with 65.8 mm (2.59 in) of precipitation, and the driest month is December, averaging just 11 mm (0.44 in). The city receives an average of around 17 inches of rain per year, and 41 inches of snow per season.

Media

Newspapers

The city newspaper is the Bismarck Tribune which was established in 1873. The newspapers of other North Dakota major cities are also available at newsstands.

Television

There are six television stations based in Bismarck, and all of them have rebroadcasters in Minot, Williston, and Dickinson. The stations include:

Bismarck also carries The WB on cable channel KWMK channel 14.

Radio

Bismarck is home to a number of radio stations. All of the commercial stations are owned by either Clear Channel Communications or Cumulus Media. Many of the lower frequency stations are broadcasters of national Christian radio networks. The stations include:

FM Stations

AM Stations

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 55,532 people, 23,185 households, and 14,444 families residing in the city. The population density was 797.4/km² (2,065.2/mi²). There were 24,217 housing units at an average density of 347.7/km² (900.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.78% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 3.39% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The top six ancestries in the city are: German (57.9%), Norwegian (18.2%), Russian (7.7%), Irish (7.2%), English (5.0%), Swedish (4.3%).

There were 23,185 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income per household in the city was $39,422, and the median income per family was $51,477. Males had a median income of $33,804 versus $22,647 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,789. About 5.7% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

K-12

The Bismarck Public Schools system has 15 elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools and an alternative high school. There are also a number of private schools in the city: Shiloh Christian School, Dakota Adventist Academy, and St. Mary's Central High School.

Higher Education

The University of Mary is the largest degree-granting institution in the city. Bismarck State College is a member of the North Dakota University System. Bismarck is also home to United Tribes Technical College and a satellite campus of Aakers College.

Transportation

Bismarck is located near the center of the state, and has become a major transportation center for the central North Dakota region.

Airport

Bismarck is served by the Bismarck Municipal Airport. The airport's main airline is Northwest, although it also serves United Express Airlines, and most recently Allegiant Air, which provides a direct flight from the city to Las Vegas, Nevada. The airport was moved into a new *]15 millon terminal in May 2005. The previous terminal was in use for over 40 years.

Highways

The city is served by Interstate 94, which runs east and west through the city, providing a direct route of travel to the area. U.S. Highway 83 runs north and south through the northern half of the city, before it splits at Interstate 94 and resumes about 25 miles west of the city.

See also

External links

Wikitravel has a Bismarck.

Bismarck-Mandan | Burleigh County, North Dakota | Major cities in North Dakota

Бисмарк (Северна Дакота) | Bismarck (North Dakota) | Bismarck (North Dakota) | Bismarck (Norda Dakoto) | Bismarck (Dakota del Norte) | Bismarck (Ipar Dakota) | Bismarck (Pohjois-Dakota) | Bismarck (Dakota du Nord) | ביסמרק (דקוטה הצפונית) | Bismarck, North Dakota | Bismarck (North Dakota) | ビスマーク (ノースダコタ州) | Бизмарк (Северна Дакота) | Bismarck (North Dakota) | Bismarck, Nord-Dakota | Bismarck (Dakota Północna) | Bismarck (Dakota do Norte) | Bismarck, North Dakota | Bismarck, North Dakota

 

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