North Dakota

North Dakota is a Midwestern state of the United States, named after the Dakota segment of the Sioux Native American Indians. Its U.S. postal abbreviation is ND. The entire state is covered by area code 701.

Geography and Climate

See: List of North Dakota counties

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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.

Related Topics:
Canadian - Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Montana - South Dakota - Red River of the North - Bois de Sioux River - Minnesota - Missouri River - Lake Sakakawea - Garrison Dam

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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.

Related Topics:
Red River Valley - Badlands - Rugby

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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 airmasses from the Gulf of Mexico and cold airmasses from the Arctic regions invaribly produce strong winds as they move in and out of the region.

Related Topics:
Continental climate - Gulf of Mexico

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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.

Related Topics:
Thunderstorm - Hail - Tornado - 1997

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North Dakota's reputation for severe weather has been cited by many as a motivating factor behind outmigration 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.

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