Minnesota

Minnesota is the 32nd state of the United States, having joined the Union on May 11, 1858.

Culture

Stereotypical Minnesotans are known for various attributes, including Lutheranism, "Minnesota nice," "hot dish," lutefisk, and a distinctive upper Midwestern accent. However, many cultures are slowly mixing together in the state today. Native Americans have a moderate presence in Minnesota, and some tribes operate casinos which have been said to be among the most profitable in the country. The earliest European exploration and settlement was by the French, and settlement from Scandinavian countries along with Germany followed. The Métis people, a mixed French and Native American culture, were a presence in the early state and territorial days, but largely moved north into Canada. Minnesota is not strongly associated with any particular food, though in recent years dishes like wild rice sausage have come from the state and more will undoubtedly follow as Minnesotan chefs seek to define their home in the culinary world.

Related Topics:
Stereotypical - Lutheranism - Minnesota nice - Hot dish - Lutefisk - Midwestern accent - Native American - Casinos - Europe - French - Scandinavia - Germany - Métis - Canada - Wild rice - Sausage

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Modern immigrants have come from all over the world in recent decades, with Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Indians, Middle Easterners, and the former Soviet bloc all being well-represented. Some Chinese and Japanese have had long presences in the state as well. Mexicans are a growing force, as they are across the U.S. Many modern immigrants are attracted by the state's historically strong commitments toward education and social services.

Related Topics:
Immigrant - Hmong - Somali - Vietnam - India - Middle East - Soviet bloc - Chinese - Japan - Mexican - Education - Social services

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Outdoor activities are major parts of the lives of many Minnesotans, including hunting and fishing. Unique activities include ice fishing, which was popular with the early Scandinavian immigrants. Families frequently own or share cabins on central and northern tracts of land in forests and adjoining lakes, and weekend trips out to these properties are common. A concern for environmentalism is shared by most state residents in one form or another, vegans and hunters alike. As with other northwoods states (such as Wisconsin and Michigan), residents like to joke that the mosquito is the state bird. The state bird is actually the common loon (Gavia immer, also called the Great northern diver), whose distinctive cry can often be heard by campers in the northern part of the state and can even on occasion be found as far south as Minneapolis.

Related Topics:
Hunting - Fishing - Ice fishing - Cabin - Forest - Environmentalism - Vegan - Wisconsin - Michigan - Mosquito - Common loon

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Minnesota is known for active yet quirky politics, with populism being a long-standing force among all of the political parties that call the state home. Minnesota politics include such oddities as a professional wrestler turned governor and a protestor turned crowd-surfing mayor. 77.3% of eligible Minnesotans voted in the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the highest of any U.S. state. Political conservatism is less strongly linked to church attendance in Minnesota than in other parts of the country, perhaps a reflection of the strong mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic following.

Related Topics:
Populism - Political parties - Professional wrestler - Governor - Protestor - Crowd-surfing - Mayor - 2004 U.S. presidential election - Political conservatism - Church - Mainline Protestant - Roman Catholic

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