Take a SD
Capitol Building |
General Information & Tours FAST FACTS : credits • Nickname: Mt. Rushmore State / Coyote State • Motto: Under God the People Rule. • Statehood: November 2, 1889 (39th or 40th -- Admitted the same day as ND.) • Origin of State's Name: Dakota is a Sioux Indian word for "friend." • State Capital: Pierre • Largest Cities: Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings • Border States: Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming • Land Area: 75,898 sq. mi., 16th largest • Highest Point: Harney Peak, 7,242 feet • Population: 754,844 • State Song: Hail, South Dakota • State Animal: Coyote • State Bird: Chinese ring-necked pheasant | • State Fish: Walleye • State Insect: Honey bee State • State Flower: Pasque • State Tree: Black Hills spruce • State Soil: Houdek • State Fossil: Triceratops • State Mineral: Rose quartz • State Gemstone: Fairburn agate • State Dessert: Kuchen • State Sport: Rodeo |