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.

History

full article: History of North Dakota

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The Dakotas made up the last arable region in the United States to be explored and settled. The French-Canadian trader La Vérendrye was the first documented non-Native American explorer of the area, leading a party to the Mandan villages about 1738.

Related Topics:
The Dakotas - Arable - United States - French-Canadian - La Vérendrye - Native American - Mandan - 1738

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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.

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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 (see Trivia below).

Related Topics:
2 November - 1889 - South Dakota

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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 rough on the state and came several years early with the 1920s farm crisis. The original state capitol burned to the ground in the 1930s and was replaced by a concrete art deco skyscraper that still stands today.

Related Topics:
Territorial - 20th century - Non Partisan League - Great Depression - 1920s - 1930s - Art deco

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The 1950s brought a wave of federal construction projects, including the Garrison Dam and the Minot and Grand Forks Air Force bases. The 1980s saw an oil boom in the Williston basin, as skyrocketing petroleum prices made development profitable, driving state population to a peak near 800,000. 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).

Related Topics:
1950s - Garrison Dam - Minot - Grand Forks - Air Force - 1980s

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