State of North Dakota
Nicknames: The Peace Garden State, The Roughrider State, The Flickertail State
Motto(s): Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable
Date of Statehood: November 2, 1889 (39th state)
State Song: “North Dakota Hymn” by C.S. Putnam
North Dakota Flag History
The flag of North Dakota, adopted in 1911, strongly resembles the unit banner carried by the state’s troops in the Spanish-American War in 1898. The flag features a dark blue field with a bald eagle in the center, grasping an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its talons, symbolizing the nation’s desire for peace but readiness for war. The eagle carries a ribbon in its beak reading “E Pluribus Unum,” meaning “Out of Many, One,” indicating unity. A shield with thirteen stripes on the eagle’s breast represents the original thirteen states.
Above the eagle, a fan-shaped design holds thirteen stars, denoting the original states again. Below, a red scroll bears the words “North Dakota,” and the year 1889, marking the state’s admission to the Union. The flag’s design is a testament to the state’s patriotism and its respect for national symbols and history, reflecting North Dakota’s values and its commitment to the United States.
North Dakota Quick Facts
Capital City: Bismarck
Abbreviation: ND
Population: Approximately 760,000
Region: Midwest
Origin of State Name: Named after the Dakota Sioux tribes; Dakota is a Sioux word meaning “friends” or “allies”
Sports Teams: No major professional sports teams. Significant presence in college sports, particularly the North Dakota State University Bison and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
Bordering States: Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Area Codes: 701
Highest Point: White Butte at 3,506 feet (1,069 meters)
Lowest Point: Red River at 750 feet (229 meters)
Geography of North Dakota
Area: 70,698 square miles (183,108 square kilometers), 19th largest
Land: 69,001 square miles (178,711 square kilometers), 17th largest
Water: 1,697 square miles (4,397 square kilometers), 40th largest
Coastline: None (landlocked state)
Shoreline: None (landlocked state)
Largest Cities:
- Fargo
- Bismarck
- Grand Forks
- Minot
- West Fargo
- Williston
- Dickinson
- Mandan
- Jamestown
- Wahpeton
- Devils Lake
- Valley City
- Minot AFB
- Grafton
- Lincoln
National Parks:
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
North Dakota State Symbols
Living Insignia
State Bird: Western Meadowlark
State Animal: Nokota Horse
State Amphibian: None
State Butterfly: None
State Fish: Northern Pike
State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose
State Horse Breed: Nokota Horse
State Insect: Convergent Lady Beetle
State Mammal: Nokota Horse
State Reptile: None
Inanimate Insignia
State Fruit: Chokecherry
State Gemstone: None
State Soil: Williams
State Tree: American Elm
State Quarter: Issued in 2006 featuring two American Bison with a sunset view of the rugged buttes and canyons that symbolize the state’s Badlands region
State Beverage: Milk
State Colors: None official
State Dance: Square Dance
State Food: None
State Fossil: Teredo Petrified Wood
State Mineral: None
State Rock: None