North Dakota

North Dakota is a U.S. state, the northernmost of the Great Plains states in the Midwestern United States, although during the 19th century it was considered part of the Wild West. The Missouri River flows through the western part of the state, forming Lake Sakakawea behind the Garrison Dam.

Formerly part of Dakota Territory (named after the Dakota tribe of Native Americans), North Dakota became a state in 1889.

The United States Navy vessels USS North Dakota and Flickertail State were named in honor of North Dakota.

Geography

See: Geography of North Dakota, List of North Dakota counties

North Dakota is bordered on the north by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba; on the west by Montana; on the south by South Dakota; and on the east—across the Red River of the North and the Bois de Sioux River—by Minnesota. The Missouri River flows through the western part of the state, forming Lake Sakakawea behind the Garrison Dam.

Farms and ranches stretch across the rolling plains from the Red River Valley in the east to the rugged Badlands in the west. The geographic center of the North American continent is located near Rugby.

North Dakota is a prime example of a continental climate; distant from major bodies of water to moderate the weather, conditions range from sweltering heat and humidity to bitter cold. Competing warm air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and cold airmasses from the Arctic regions invariably produce strong winds as they move in and out of the region.

In summer, the clash of arctic and tropic systems often leads to strong thunderstorms, sometimes including damaging hail and tornadoes. In winter, the weather tends to be more stable — cold and dry, with occasional flurries—though the constant wind tends to create blowing snow at any time of the season. Severe snowstorms tend to manifest late in the fall or early in the spring, as was the case in 1997.

Areas under management of the National Park Service include:

There are 53 counties within North Dakota. Every incorporated place in the state of North Dakota is classified as a city. There are no villages, towns, or hamlets.

History

Prior to European contact, Native Americans inhabited North Dakota for thousands of years. The first European to reach the area was the French-Canadian trader La Vérendrye, who led an exploration party to Mandan villages about 1738.

The trading arrangement between tribes was such that North Dakota tribes rarely dealt directly with Europeans. However, the native tribes were in sufficient contact that by the time of Lewis and Clark; they were at least somewhat aware of the French, then Spanish claims to their territory.

The state was settled sparsely until the late 1800s, when the railroads pushed through the state, and aggressively marketed the land. On 2 November 1889, North Dakota was admitted to the Union with South Dakota.

The territorial and early state governments were largely corrupt. Early in the 20th century, a wave of populism led by the Non Partisan League brought social reforms. The Great Depression was particularly hard on the state and came several years early with the 1920s farm crisis. The original North Dakota Capitol burned to the ground in the 1930s and was replaced by a limestone faced art deco skyscraper that still stands today.

The 1950s brought a round of federal construction projects, including the Garrison Dam and the Minot and Grand Forks Air Force bases. There was an oil boom in the Williston basin in the 1980s, as skyrocketing petroleum prices made development profitable, driving state population to a peak near 700,000. Since then the state has been experiencing a period of economic and demographic decline. Today, the population stands at around 640,000 (roughly the same population as in the 1920s).

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2005, North Dakota has an estimated population of 636,677, which is an increase of 369, or 0.1%, from the prior year and a decrease of 5,527, or 0.9%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 10,283 people (that is 40,890 births minus 30,607 deaths) and a decrease due to net migration of 14,881 people out of the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 3,687 people, and migration within the country produced a net decrease of 18,568 people.

North Dakota ranks 47th of the 50 states in population, with fewer people only in Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Race and ancestry

The racial makeup of the state:

91.7% White
4.9% Native American
1.2% Hispanic
0.6% Asian
0.6% Black
1.2% Mixed race

People of Hispanic origin, who may be of any race, make up 1.2% of the population.

Most North Dakotans are of Northern European descent. The five largest ancestry groups in North Dakota are: German (43.9%), Norwegian (30.1%), Irish (7.7%), Native American (5%), Swedish (5%).

People of German ancestry are present throughout the state, especially the southern and central counties, and Scandinavians are also present throughout. A few counties have large Native American populations (principally on reservations). Individual counties in western and eastern North Dakota have the largest white, Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian percentages of any county.

6.1% of North Dakota's population were reported as under 5, 25% under 18, and 14.7% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.1% of the population.

Outmigration

North Dakota has experienced a decline in population over the last 20 years, primarily among skilled college graduates for whom there are few jobs in the state. State leaders have been at a loss to address this issue, which is called outmigration in local parlance.

Student loan forgiveness programs for health and education professionals have been initiated with some degree of success, but a larger program to forgive the loans of all college graduates residing in the state for a given period of time failed to pass a referendum. Some federal politicians, including Byron Dorgan, have proposed "The New Homestead Act of 2005" (compare to the original U.S. Homestead Act in 1862) to encourage living in areas losing population through incentives such as tax breaks, but these have also made little headway.

Many North Dakota politicians believe that better economic development programs will eventually resolve the issue, but opinions are mixed as to what exactly that would entail.

Religion

A very large majority of North Dakotans self-identify as Christian. North Dakota has the lowest percentage of non-religious people of any state, and it also has the most churches per capita of any state.

An estimate of the religious affiliations of the people of North Dakota (source: ^* CUNY, 2001):

Christian: 85%
- Protestant: 52%
  - Lutheran: 35%
  - Methodist: 7%
  - Baptist: 6%
  - Assemblies of God: 3%
  - Other Protestant: 1%
- Roman Catholic: 30%
- LDS (Mormon): 1%
- Other Christian: 2%
Muslim: 2%
Jehovah's Witnesses: 1%
Buddhist: 1%
Other: 1%
Non-religious: 3%
Did Not Answer: 6%

Culture

See also: Music of North Dakota, Cuisine of North Dakota

As most residents of North Dakota are descendants of Scandinavian and German immigrants, North Dakotans are sometimes stereotyped similarily as Minnesotans. Stereotypical traits include Lutheranism (35 percent of the state's population is Lutheran) "Minnesota nice," "hot dish" (a Midwestern term for casserole),"lutefisk" (a pungent preparation of fish from Scandinavian recipes that include soaking in lye), very close family ties (and a strong sense of duty to their families, healthy and dysfunctional alike), a strong sense of community and shared culture with many other North Dakotans instead of just with one's town or city, North Dakota often shares Minnesota's form of Upper Midwest American English (including Scandinavian-sounding words like "uff-da"), and a distinctive type of upper Midwestern accent.

Along with having the most churches per capita of any state, North Dakota has the highest percentage of church-going population of any state.

Native American traditions are still practiced by the Native American population of North Dakota, especially on Indian reservation land. Pow-wows and traditional Native American dancing are still found across the state.

Outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing are major parts of lives of many North Dakotans. Ice fishing is also popular during the winter months. Residents of eastern North Dakota, specifically the Red River Valley, may own or visit a cabin along a lake in neighboring Minnesota. Weekend trips to Minnesota cabins is common during the summer months. Residents of other regions of North Dakota often go to resorts on North Dakota lakes, as cabins are less common than in Minnesota. Popular sport fish are walleye, perch, and northern pike. The mosquito is an annoyance in North Dakota as well as neighboring states during the summer months.

Economy

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that North Dakota's total state product in 2005 was ^*]24.178 billion. Per capita personal income in 2005 was $31 395, 32^nd in the nation.

North Dakota leads the nation in production of several crops. Agricultural activity is largely dependent on rainfall. Wheat (particularly the durum variety used for pasta), barley, canola, soybeans, sunflowers, and flax are present throughout the state. The wetter Red River Valley is dominated by farms, with the chief crops being sugar beets, soybeans and corn. Cattle ranches are more common in the dry southwest, though dairy ranches are more common toward the east. Honey is produced in the central part of the state. Small quantities of juneberries and grapes support a modest domestic winery industry.

The state's relatively small industrial output includes electric power, food processing, machinery (including Bobcat heavy equipment), lignite mining, and tourism.

North Dakota has the only state-owned bank in the United States, the Bank of North Dakota. The bank, by law, holds all funds of all state and local government agencies in North Dakota. Its deposits are not guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation but by the state itself. The state also operates the only state-owned mill in the country, the North Dakota Mill and Elevator.

North Dakota's reputation for severe weather has been cited by many as a motivating factor behind emigration and the failure of outside industry to locate in the state, though some have found this to be a secondary factor to the overall economic situation in the state.

State income taxes are collected through 5 different tax brackets, ranging from 2.1 percent to 5.54 percent. North Dakota allows a credit for the net amount of tax paid to another state on income that is subject to tax by both North Dakota and that other state. North Dakota's sales tax rate is 5 percent. Local subdivisions are also allowed to levy a sales and use tax. This tax rate generally ranges from 1 percent to 3 percent. For the most part, personal property is exempt from property tax.

Transportation

The major east-west highways are US 2 and Interstate 94. North Dakota Highways 5 and 200 are also significant east-west routes.

The major north-south highways are Interstate 29, US 81, US 281, US 83, and US 85.

US 52 runs northwest-southeast from Portal to Jamestown, then to Fargo via I-94. US 12 cuts across the southwest corner of the state, intersecting US 85 in Bowman.

BNSF and the Canadian Pacific Railway operate the most extensive rail systems in the state. Minor lines include the Dakota, Missouri Valley and Western Railroad and the Red River Valley and Western Railroad, mostly operating on leased branch lines BNSF and CP were to abandon.

North Dakota has 90 public airports. Scheduled passenger airline service is offered in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, and Williston.

Law and government

See also: List of North Dakota Governors, List of Lieutenant Governors of North Dakota, List of United States Senators from North Dakota, List of political parties in North Dakota, List of Secretaries of State of North Dakota, List of Attorneys General of North Dakota

The current governor of North Dakota is John Hoeven (Republican). Its two current U.S. senators are Kent Conrad (North Dakota Democratic NPL Party) and Byron Dorgan (Dem-NPL). Its congressman is Earl Pomeroy (Dem-NPL).

North Dakota has a bicameral legislature. The state elects two House Representatives and one Senator from each of 47 districts apportioned by population. The legislature meets at the North Dakota State Capitol in an 80-day regular session in odd-numbered years, and in special session if summoned by the governor. See also: North Dakota Legislative Assembly, North Dakota Senate, North Dakota House of Representatives.

The structure of North Dakota's judiciary is not terribly complex. Each of the 53 counties has a court, from which appeals are sent directly to the North Dakota Supreme Court. Because of the expense of having each county hire a judge, and the fairly low workload, the state is divided into seven judicial districts which collectively elect judges to travel to the various courthouses and hear cases.

District Judges are elected to six-year terms. Supreme Court Judges are elected to ten-year terms. The Supreme Court Chief Justice is selected every 5 years by vote of the District and Supreme Court Judges.

Politics

The major political parties in North Dakota are the Republican Party and the North Dakota Democratic NPL Party. However, North Dakota does have some active third parties.

The Republican Party holds large majorities in the state legislature and generally wins the state's 3-member electoral college delegation. Since 1964, no Democratic presidential candidate has carried North Dakota. In 2004, George W. Bush won with 62.9% of the vote.

On the other hand, Dem-NPL candidates for North Dakota's federal Senate and Congressional seats have won every election since 1986.

Residents of smaller cities tend to generally have conservative viewpoints. Farmers, Natives, and residents of larger cities tend to be more liberal.

Important cities and towns

See also: List of cities in North Dakota

By population, the ten largest urban centers in the state are:

The population trends in the state are noting a distinct shift from the rural areas to the larger cities. Most of North Dakota's largest communities grew between 1990 and 2000.

Between 1990 and 2000, the U.S. as a whole grew by 13.1%, yet North Dakota grew a mere 0.5%. It is the only state (along with Washington DC) whose population declined (by 1.3%) between April 1, 2000 and July 1, 2003; this decline has become a major political issue.

Education

North Dakota's leaders frequently boast that the educational scene in the state is excellent. However, because the economic situation is no match for it, many skilled graduates leave the state.

Colleges and universities

The state has 11 public colleges and universities, five tribal community colleges, and four private schools. The largest and oldest among them is the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

The higher education system consists of the following institutions:

North Dakota University System (Public schools)

Bismarck State College in Bismarck

Dickinson State University in Dickinson

Lake Region State College in Devils Lake

Mayville State University in Mayville

Minot State University in Minot

Minot State University-Bottineau in Bottineau

North Dakota State University in Fargo

North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton

University of North Dakota in Grand Forks

Valley City State University in Valley City

Williston State College in Williston

Tribal colleges

Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten

Fort Berthold Community College in New Town

Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates

Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt

United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck

Private schools

Aakers College in Fargo and Bismarck

Jamestown College in Jamestown

University of Mary in Bismarck

Trinity Bible College in Ellendale

Miscellaneous topics

A bill for statehood for North and South Dakota (and Montana, and Washington), the Enabling Act of 1889, was passed on February 22 1889 during the Administration of Grover Cleveland. It was left to his successor Benjamin Harrison to sign proclamations formally admitting North and South Dakota to the Union on November 2 1889. However, the rivalry between the northern and southern territories presented a dilemma of which was to be admitted first. So Harrison directed his Secretary of State James Blaine to shuffle the papers and obscure from him which he was signing first, and the actual priority went unrecorded. However, since North Dakota came first in the alphabet, its proclamation was published first in the Statutes At Large; thus it has traditionally been deemed admitted first.

The Flickertail State is one of North Dakota's nicknames. The nickname is derived from Richardson's Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii), a very common animal in the region. The squirrel constantly flicks its tail in a distinctive manner. In 1953, legislation to make the squirrel the state animal was voted down in the state legislature.