South+Dakota

South Dakota- Zachary Drescher Welcome to the Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota!



South Dakota's nicknames are **The Sunshine State, The Blizzard State, The Coyote State, The Mount Rushmore State, and The Black Hills State.** The state is 90% rural and the other 10% is suburban and urban.
 * State Facts-**

South Dakota has four seasons that change rapidly. The state is given the name of Land of Infinite Variety because of the great variety of nature. There are the great Black Hills which contain gold. There is the giant Missouri river too. The Badlands have unique rock shapes and colors especially at sunset or sunrise. In South Dakota are the vast Prairie Plains. South Dakota has very rich soil.
 * Geography and Climate-**

Agriculture is the backbone of South Dakota's industry. They also have many dairies, flour mills, and meat packing plants. There is a lot of cattle on farms to. Another big part of South Dakota's industry is construction equipment factories. There is also a lot of tourism and education in South Dakota. South Dakota uses the land's rich black soil, gold, petroleum, and granite. Farmers plant the leading amounts of hay, rye, wheat, soybeans, and corn in the U.S.A.
 * Natural Resources, Industry, and Crops-**


 * Goverment-**

State Capital: Pierre U.S. Senators: Tim Johnson (Democrat), John Thane (Republican) U.S. Representatives: Total: 1 Democrats: #0 Republicans: #1 State Senators: #35 State Representatives: #70 Counties: #66 Population: 812,383 Sate Size: 77,122 sq. miles

9 Sioux reservations: each one has elected tribe goverment


 * History-**

The history of South Dakota has many important parts. The first people were the Mound Builders who were a tribe. Then, the Cheyenne, Arikara, and Sioux took over the area. The first explorers were Frenchmen named Rene-Robert, then later came Francois and Louis Joseph. After the Louisiana Purchase Louis and Clark mapped out the area. In 1743, the first white settlers came. Once people started taking a lot of land, the Sioux were forced to stay in the Black Hills. Then, when gold was found in the Black Hills the Sioux got mad. But it really started when the railroad came. The Sioux fought in The Battle of Little Big Horn against General Custer and his army. Sitting Bull, a famous Sioux chief killed general Custer and helped win the war. There was also the Wounded Knee Massacre when over 200 Sioux men, women, and children were killed. But eventually, the Sioux were forced to a reservation. Then, from 1810 through 1811 there was the Dust Bowl in which many people, especially farmers suffered with their crops. A little later, there was the Flood of Rapid City in which more people suffered. The history of South Dakota has shaped the way it is now.


 * Native Americans-**

The Native Americans of South Dakota are very important. The big tribes were Arkira and Cheyenne. But then the Sioux came along they took over the area. Later, the frontiers came along and fought with the Sioux for the land. Eventually, the Sioux were forced to the Black Hills to live. But when gold was found in the Black Hills, the Sioux fought in Battle of Little Big Horn and Sitting Bull killed General Custer and helped win the battle. In the end, the Sioux lost and the last ambush party was destroyed which was led by the war chief, Crazy Horse. The Sioux then moved onto reservations. Today, most of the Native American tribes live on reservations except for a few. The tribe are called Sovereign Nations with their own goverments. They have many celebrations, rodeos, and powwows. About 8% of South Dakota's peple are Native American today.


 * State Symbols-**

State Bird: Ring Necked Pheasant State Tree: Black Hills Spruce State Flower: Pasque State Animal: Coyote State Bread: Fry Bread State Dessert: Kuchen State Fossil: Tryceritops
 * State Motto: "Under God the People Rule"**


 * Tourism-**

South Dakota has many fun places, famous people, fun facts, culture, and things to do! Thousands of people come to see Mount Rushmore (built by Gutzon Borglum), the Shrine of Democracy. Also in the Black Hills is the unfinished monument of Crazy Horse(built by Korzact Ziolkowski). There is also the one and only in the world Corn Palace Built almost entirely of corn. It has many corn murals inside too. South Dakota's capital, Pierre, is one of the most beautiful state capitals in the country and also one of the smallest. There are the Badlands too, which are unique rock formations and have blossoms of color at sunset and sunrise. Many people come to see just the pure nature of the state, especially the Black Hills and animals. South Dakota has many famous people such as L. Frank Baum who is the author of The Wizard of Oz. There is also Cheryll Ladd who is a very famous actress. Gutzon Borglum and Korzact Ziolkowski are the famous sculptors who built Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument. There are some famous Sioux chiefs such as Rain in th Face(Hunkpapa), Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Red Cloud. Harvey Dung painted very beautiful paintings of pioneer life South Dakota has fun interesting facts too. It took Gutzon Borglum from 1927 to 1941 to carve Mount Rushmore into the Black Hills(14 years!). South Dakota has over 1,500 buffalo living there. Mammoth Cave is one of the most intricate caves in the world. South Dakota's culture is full of variety. There are many festivals for different countries and tribes, especially European festivals. People get dressed up, eat, and have lots of fun! Native Americans have rodeos and powwows for entertainment. Overall, South Dakota is a great place to be!