- Capital: Bismarck
- Largest City: Fargo
- Statehood: Became the 39th state on November 2, 1889
- Nickname: The Peace Garden State
- Population: ~780,000 (as of 2023 estimate)
- Time Zones: Central (majority), Mountain (southwest portion)
Location & Geography:
North Dakota is a landlocked state in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. It borders Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south, and Montana to the west. The Missouri River splits the state nearly in half. The western part is characterized by rugged badlands and prairies, while the eastern half features fertile farmlands.
Capital: Bismarck
Largest City: Fargo
Population: Approximately 780,000 (as of 2023)
Nickname: The Peace Garden State
This nickname refers to the International Peace Garden on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada.
Climate
North Dakota has a continental climate:
- Winters: Long, cold, and snowy (average lows below 0°F in January)
- Summers: Warm to hot and relatively short
- Rainfall: Most of the rain falls in late spring and summer
Major Cities of North Dakota
Fargo – Cultural and economic hub; known for education and a vibrant downtown
Bismarck – The capital city, located along the Missouri River
Grand Forks – University town, home to UND
Minot – Military influence with Minot Air Force Base
Williston – Key area for oil and gas in the Bakken formation
Top Universities in North Dakota
1. University of North Dakota (UND) – Grand Forks
Founded: 1883 (oldest university in the state)
Type: Public research university
Enrollment: ~13,000 students
Highlights:
- Known for aviation and aerospace programs – home to one of the best aviation schools in the U.S. (John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences)
- Strong programs in engineering, nursing, law, medicine, and business
- Offers online and distance learning programs
- Home to the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Top Universities of North Dakota
1. University of North Dakota (UND) – Grand Forks
Founded: 1883 (oldest university in the state)
Type: Public research university
Enrollment: ~13,000 students
Highlights:
- Known for aviation and aerospace programs – home to one of the best aviation schools in the U.S. (John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences)
- Strong programs in engineering, nursing, law, medicine, and business
- Offers online and distance learning programs
- Home to the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences
2. North Dakota State University (NDSU) – Fargo
Founded: 1890
Type: Public research university
Enrollment: ~12,000 students
Highlights:
- Renowned for agricultural sciences, engineering, pharmacy, and business
- Active in biotechnology and energy research
- Major Division I athletic programs
- Hosts NDSU Research and Technology Park
3. Minot State University – Minot
Founded: 1913
Type: Public university
Enrollment: ~3,000 students
Highlights:
- Known for education, nursing, communication disorders, and criminal justice
- Offers affordable tuition and small class sizes
- Strong support for military and international students
4. Dickinson State University – Dickinson
Founded: 1918
Type: Public regional university
Enrollment: ~1,400 students
Highlights:
- Focus on business, education, agriculture, and liberal arts
- Offers personalized instruction and low student-faculty ratio
- Strong community connection in western North Dakota
5. University of Mary – Bismarck
Founded: 1959
Type: Private, Catholic university
Enrollment: ~3,800 students
Highlights:
- Strong in nursing, physical therapy, business, and theology
- Offers faith-based education with leadership programs
- Emphasis on ethics and service-oriented learning
6. Mayville State University – Mayville
Founded: 1889
Type: Public university
Enrollment: ~1,100 students
Highlights:
- Emphasis on teacher education, business, and health sciences
- Affordable and accessible education
- Offers both on-campus and online degrees
Famous Politicians from North Dakota
1. William Langer (1886–1959)
- Roles: Governor of North Dakota, U.S. Senator
- Known for his populist politics and fiery personality.
- Served two non-consecutive terms as governor and was a prominent figure in North Dakota’s political history.
2. Byron Dorgan (b. 1942)
- Roles: U.S. Representative (1981–1992), U.S. Senator (1992–2011)
- Advocate for rural development, energy policy, and Native American rights.
- Later became an author and policy consultant.
3. Kent Conrad (b. 1948)
- Roles: U.S. Senator (1987–2013)
- Key player in federal budget and fiscal policy debates; chaired the Senate Budget Committee.
- Strong advocate for farm and energy policies.
4. John Hoeven (b. 1957)
- Roles: Governor of North Dakota (2000–2010), U.S. Senator (2011–present)
- Focuses on economic development, agriculture, and energy policy.
5. Heidi Heitkamp (b. 1955)
- Roles: U.S. Senator (2013–2019), former Attorney General of ND
- First woman elected to the U.S. Senate from North Dakota.
- Known for moderate views and work on agriculture, energy, and Native American issues.
Famous Scientists and Innovators from North Dakota
1. C. Norman Brunsdale (1891–1978)
- Roles: Governor of North Dakota, U.S. Senator
- Though primarily a politician, he played a major role in infrastructure and water projects like the Garrison Dam, impacting hydrology and agriculture.
2. Ronald D. Sherwood (1932–2011)
- Field: Atmospheric Science
- A Grand Forks native and meteorologist, Sherwood worked with NOAA and contributed significantly to weather forecasting systems.
3. Karen Nyberg (b. 1969)
- Profession: NASA Astronaut, Mechanical Engineer
- Born in Parkers Prairie, MN, but raised in Vining, ND
- Flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124) and Soyuz TMA-09M to the ISS
- First North Dakotan woman in space
- Holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering with research in biomechanics
4. Edwin James (1797–1861) (Historical figure)
- Though not born in modern-day ND, he was part of early expeditions into what would become the Dakota Territory.
- Known for his botanical and geological explorations during the Stephen H. Long Expedition.
5. David G. Ho (b. 1952)
- Though not born in ND, he worked on research affiliated with universities in the Midwest early in his career.
- Renowned AIDS researcher and Time Magazine’s 1996 Person of the Year.
