NORTH DAKOTA FROM A TO Z

A IS FOR AGRICULTURE & ARCHEOLOGY

• AGRICULTURE has long dominated the economy and culture of North Dakota. Information about agriculture in the state is provided by the The North Dakota Department of Agriculture The State Soil is William. The main products are sugar beets, wheat, cattle, barley, sunflowers, & milk. Milk is the State Beverage. The State Fair is held in Minot. North Dakota has 4-H Clubs and Future Farmers of America groups. AG in the Classroom has a special Kids Zone.

• The North Dakota Arcaeological Association is interested in the ARCHAEOLOGY of North Dakota and the Great Plains. The state is investigating archaeology sites at Fort Union Trading Post and Metis Graveyard. Fort Union Trading Post has a reconstructed trading post. Double Ditch Indian Village has ruins of an Indian earthlodge.

• Despite being landlocked, North Dakota has several BEACHES on lakes.

• Many species of BIRDS are found throughout North Dakota and birdwatching is popular. The State Bird is the Western Meadowlark. The Piper Plover is endangered.

• North Dakota has over 2 dozen BRIDGES. There are Historic Bridges, 4 Suspension Bridges, and 2 Covered Bridges

• Bismarck is the CAPITOL of North Dakota.

• All forms of COMMUNICATIONS are available throughout North Dakota including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, telephone, and Internet. The state telephone area code is 701. There are many Web Cams , and Internet service is available throughout the state.

• North Dakota has 53 COUNTIES. The largest county is McKenzie and Eddy is the smallest. Cass has the largest population and Slope has the smallest. The term county is the level of local government below the state itself.

• North Dakota has several DAMS including hydroelectric dams. Garrison Dam has an extensive irrigation system. The state has a Dam Safety Program. Other forms of energy are being used including Solar Power and Wind Power.

• The State Dance is the Square Dance. The State Song is North Dakota Hymn. The State March is the Flickertail March.

• The Dakota DINOSAUR Museum in Dickinson has exhibits and education and bus tours. A variety of fossils have been found in the state, and the State Fossil is Petrified Wood. North Dakota Geological Survey has a paleontology page.

• No EARTHQUAKE of 5 or above has occurred in North Dakota during historical time. FEMA provides information about earthquakes.

• The Department of EDUCATION oversees public education in North Dakota. It is provided free and is mandatory for any child 7-16 years of age. The State also has private schools that are required to comply with state standards and regulations. Information about schools is available from SchoolBug.

• A variety of EVENTS and festivals are held throughout North Dakota during the year. There are also art shows. The state observes State & Federal Holidays.

• Many species of FISH are found in lakes & rivers of North Dakota. Fishing including ice fishing is a popular activity. The State Fish is the Valley City and Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery which is the largest Walleye & North Pike producing facility in the world.
• The North Dakota State FLAG was adopted in 1911 and is similar to the regimental flag carried by the North Dakota Infantry in the Spanish American War and the Phillipine Island Insurrection. Some counties have a flag, and some Native American tribes have a flag including the Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara, the Sisseton & Wahpeton Sioux, & the Standing Rock Sioux. The State Seal has images, symbols, & text.

• The FOOD timeline dates back to the Native Americans and settlers from several countries. Cream of Wheat was invented in North Dakota. The Norsk Hostfest is popular for family fun & food and is the largest Scandinavian Festival in North America. The Great Plains Food Bank distributes food to people in need through a network of member food shelves, emergency shelters, soup kitchens, and other charitable feeding program.

• There are many FORTS in North Dakota. Fort Abercrombie was the first permanent U.S. Military fort established in what was to become North Dakota. Three original buildings stand at Fort Buford which is a Historic Site. Fort Mandan is a reconstructed fort where Lewis and Clark spent their winter of of 1804- 1805.

• Information about the GEOLOGY of North Dakota is provided by the North DakotaGeological Survey. Several minerals are mined in the state including lignite, coar, and crude oil .

• The GLOBAL POSITION of North Dakota is approximately 46degrees north and 100 degrees west. The geographic center is Sheridan. The geographic center of North American is in Rugby. The highest point is White Butte and the lowest point is the Red River. NOAA provides information about the topography of the state. Geocaching is a popular game using a global positioning finder, and there are many geocaches in North Dakota.

• North Dakota has many GHOST TOWNS. A few people live in Alfred and there are a couple of houses & old buildings. Dresden has 2 households, handbuilt church, grain elevator and small museum. Leal has a few abandoned buildings amoung its 35 residents. Wheelock has 100+ abandoned buildings and some shops and businesses.

• North Dakota has several HISTORIC SITES. The National Trust helps protect historic places in the state. The Historical Society has a webpage for kids.

• The HISTORY of North Dakota dates back to 9000 BC. The state participates in National History Day.

• North Dakota is one of the few states that have a State Horse - the Nokota Horse. The Nakota Horse Conservancy is working to save this horse.

• North Dakota has a variety of INDUSTRIES. The discovery of oil has made it one of the largest producers of crude petroleum in the country. A variety of Trade Shows are held throughout the year.

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  A wide variety of INSECTS are found in North Dakota including many species of butterflies & moths.

• North Dakota has many ISLANDS in lakes and on rivers. Graham's Island is located in Devils Lake and is a State Park.

• JAZZ is popular in North Dakota and there are several Jazz Festivals. All That Jazz is an organization that allows area high school musicians the opportunity to perform at national and international festivals. Musical events include touring acts and music program. The Bands & Orchestras.

North Dakota does not have much KARST, but it does have a few caves. The National Park Service has a Cave and Karst Program.
• Many aspects of life in North Dakota focus on KIDS. North Dakota KIDS COUNTpromotes the well-being of kids in the state. NOAA has a Kids Page about the weather. AG in the Classroom and the National Agriculture Statistic Service have a Kids Page about agriculture.

• North Dakota has many LAKES and reservoirs. Devils Lake is the largest natural body of water in the state.

• Public and Academic LIBRARIES are located throughout North Dakota. Most of them have internet access & special programs, and some have bookmobiles. The State Library is in Bismark.

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  North Dakota has several military installations including 2 Air Force bases. The National Guard has both Army and Air units. The U.S. Army Corps of Enginners has projects in the state. The state has 3 Forts which are open to the public.

• North Dakota has several types of MOUNTAINS. Kildeer Mountains consist of 2 large flat-topped buttes. Turtle Mountain rises 600-800 feet.

• MUSEUMS are located throughout North Dakota including Art Museums and Historical Museums. North Dakota is home to some of the largest outdoor animal sculptures in the world.

• The state has several nicknames including Roughrider State, Flickertail State, and Peace Garden State.

• North Dakota was settled by Native Americans several thousand years ago. The major tribes were the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sioux, and Chippewa. There are now 4 major Tribes and Reservations. Many Powwows are held during the year. There are several Casinos and several tribes have their own license plates.

• North Dakota has 2 OBSERVATORIES. The telescope at the University of North Dakota has inspired formation of a local astronomy club. There is also an observatory at Minot State University. There is an Astronomical Society in Grand Forks. Many places observe Astronomy Day.

• North Dakota has a wide variety of PARKS including a National Park, Historic sites, and several State Parks. The state also has Theme Parks and Amusement Parks.

• North Dakota has a POPULATION of over 635,000 people. Many famous people have called North Dakota their home including Lawrence Welk, band leader; Angie Dickinson, actress; Peggy Lee, singer; and Louis L'Amour, author.

• A QUARTER was issued by the U.S. Mint for each state according to its admission date. North Dakota was admitted to the union in 1889 and a quarter was issued in its honor in 2007. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page.

• QUILTING is popular in North Dakota and Quilt Guilds are located throughout the state.
• Take a map quiz about North Dakota.

• North Dakota is home to many species of REPTILES and amphibians including frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, snakes, & turtles.

• North Dakota has many RIVERS and tributaries. American Rivers is an organization that protects and restores river systems in the country.