Population: 683,932 thousand people (2011)
Area: 183272.0 sq. km
In the north-central United States is the state of North Dakota, which is the 48th most populous state in the country. Its capital is Bismarck. The largest cities are Fargo and Grand Forks. To the north of the city of Minot at a distance of 21 kilometers is the air base of the country’s air force – Minot. The other – “Grand Forks” lies at a distance of 26 kilometers west of the city of Grand Forks.
According to citypopulationreview.com, the territory of the state is located on 183,272 square kilometers of land and ranks 19th among other states in the country in terms of area. In the east, the state border with Minnesota runs along the Red River, in the north it borders on the territories of the provinces of Canada – Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The southern lands of the state share a common border with South Dakota. To the west is the border with Montana.
The relief of these places is mostly flat. The central regions are located on the Missouri Plateau, which occupies part of the Great Plains. The major river of the state is the Missouri, the largest lakes are Devils Lake and Sakakavia. The territory of North Dakota mainly has gray forest soils and chernozems, which are subject to erosion. Hot summers and cold winters are due to the continental climate. In the spring, the Red River Valley often suffers from floods.
A noticeable trace in the history of the development of these places was left by Pierre La Verandry, who was engaged in trade. In the late 30s of the 18th century, along with other Europeans, he was engaged in buying furs from local Indians. Much of present-day North Dakota came under US possession with the Louisiana Purchase. In the late autumn of 1889, North Dakota became part of the country and became its 39th state.
The state’s economy is based primarily on agriculture. Grain crops, flax, sunflower are grown here; animal husbandry is developed, in particular the production of wool and meat. In the early 50s of the last century, an oil field was discovered in the state. In terms of natural coal reserves, North Dakota ranks first in the country. In addition, there are deposits of uranium and natural gas.
FARGO
Population: 105,500 thousand people (2011)
Area: 98.0 sq. km
Founded: 1871
Time zone: UTC-6, summer UTC-5
Fargo is the populous center of Cass County in North Dakota. Lies in the northern armhole of the Red River Valley on the border with Minnesota. With the beginning of a large construction of railways in America at the end of the 19th century, the first colonists came to the valley and staked out plots in the place of the future branch of the Northern Pacific Railway. In the future, this fact played a key role in the economic and social development of the city, which was originally called Centralia. But in the end, grateful residents of the then provincial town renamed their settlements in honor of the director of the regional office of the railroad in North Dakota, William Fargo. See North Dakota counties.
History
Initially, Fargo was a bustling and wild frontier town where saloons and brothels flourished. Local farmers were engaged in agriculture and raised livestock. The first buildings were built of wood, which became fatal during the great fire of 1893, which destroyed the city almost to the ground. Despite the skepticism of the state authorities, it was decided to rebuild the city, and a year later more than 250 brick buildings grew on the site of the charred foundations.
Since 1890, the Agricultural College of North Dakota has been opening its doors, which, later, will grow into the State University of North Dakota.
Its geographic location at the intersection of two of the state’s major highways, combined with a rail link, gave the city a major advantage in the Industrial Revolution of the early 20th century. Fargo becomes home to the Pence Automobile Company. The city receives its main income from the agricultural industry, food industry, education, transportation and trade. According to statistics, Fargo has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Attractions
The cultural life and leisure of citizens take place in picturesque city parks, theaters and museums. The Art Deco Fargo Cinema was built in 1926 and is now a listed U.S. cultural monument.
The permanent collection of the Plains Art Museum of Art contains an extensive list of exhibits of both traditional Indian art and the work of contemporary artists: Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and others.
The park areas of the city include several golf courses, the largest of which are Edgewood and Fargo Country Club.
Hector International Airport is located 5 kilometers from the city. It houses the Fargo Aviation Museum. Museum aircraft are 90% in full flight condition. Among them is a complete copy of the aircraft of the Wright brothers.
