Minnesota is a long state, 406 miles from north to south. If you drive from the Canadian border on the north to the Iowa border on the south, you may think you are visiting several states and going through at least two seasons on the way.

Minnesota is also at the crossroads of three types of terrain. Grassland plains and prairies are to the west and south, coniferous (cone-bearing) forest is to the north, and to the east is the hardwood forest, once known as the "Big Woods".

Minnesota gets its name from minisota, meaning "sky-tinted waters." Centuries ago, that is what the Dakota named the Minnesota River. About 10,000 years ago, mile-thick glaciers covered most of the area. As the glaciers melted, many lakes and rivers were created.

Today, Minnesota has more shoreline than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined! It is known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," but Minnesota actually has 12,000 lakes. The world's third largest river, the Mississippi, begins its 2,552-mile journey at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota.

Minnesota's waters flow outward in three directions. North to Hudson Bay in Canada, east to the Atlantic Ocean, and south to the Gulf of Mexico.

River Country is a land of many rivers and streams, winding their way through woods of aspen, birch, maple, oak and pine. The longest is the St. Croix, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River forming Minnesota's border with Wisconsin.

Bemidji, Minnesota is the first city on the Mississippi River, and is as well known for its lakes and woods as it is for its river roots. Located in the north central part of the state about 220 miles from the Twin Cities, Bemidji is in the heart of resort country, but offers plenty of in-town entertainment as well.

The new Science Museum of Minnesota puts a spin on science that delights visitors of all ages. This long-time St. Paul institution opened the doors of its new home last December. The expansive building with airy, glassed vistas has already become an integral part of the river bluffs in the heart of St Paul. Its design unites the city and the Mississippi River, which had long led separate lives. It is possible to stand in the center of the museum and look out at the booming city, and, with the turn of a head, regard the river. With its restaurants and terraced outdoor seating, the museum is a gathering spot as well as a place of learning and enjoyment.

Discover the beauty of southeastern Minnesota's bluff lands at Whitewater State Park (with its absence of mosquitoes!). This park features six scenic overlooks and excellent trout fishing in the spring fed Whitewater River and Trout Run Creek. Be sure to see the new Whitewater Visitor Center. You’ll find ten miles of hiking, five miles of cross-country skiing, and snowshoe rental. The beach is open May 1 to Labor Day.

Voyageurs National Park is Minnesota's only National Park, stretching for 55 miles along its northern border east of International Falls. Voyageurs has more than 30 lakes—ranging in size from small, sparkling jewels to giants like Rainy, Namakan, Kabetogama, and Sand Point—plus many bogs, marshes, and beaver ponds. Rainy, Namakan and Sand Point are shared with Canada.

The heart of Minnesota is Lake Country. The Brainerd Lakes Area, around the communities of Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, the Whitefish , Crosslake and Pine River, is splashed with over 460 lakes. To the east is 18-mile wide Mille Lacs Lake, the second largest within Minnesota. And the Mississippi River winds through the area as a quiet, woodland stream.

These waters have made the area famous for its fishing; walleye, northern pike, pan fish, bass and trout are all caught here. Boating and sailing are also popular on the lakes. There's a wide choice of recreation off the water as well. Some of the finest championship golf courses in the Midwest are found here, as well as easygoing courses. The new Paul Bunyan Trail is paved for biking, and has quickly become a favorite snowmobile trail as well. There are beautiful hiking trails in the hardwood forests of Mille Lacs Kathio, Crow Wing and Lindbergh state parks, and at the Northland Arboretum. They're especially pretty in the fall.

Calhoun Square is in the heart of Minneapolis' funkified Uptown neighborhood. Dip into a murder mystery; dive into a plate of calamari. Slip into the shoes you can't find anywhere else; sip a perfect cappuccino, nab the gift you never thought of. Calhoun Square's always got something.

Hailed by The New York Times as "an international orchestra of real accomplishment," the Minnesota Orchestra is an innovative and enterprising musical organization. Known as the Minnesota Orchestra since 1968, it was founded as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903. Today it is comprised of 95 musicians under the baton of Music Director Eiji Oue. The Minnesota Orchestra makes its home at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis—a landmark concert hall distinctive for acoustic cubes on its ceiling and stage wall.

Nowhere in the United States will you find a vacation area with a greater diversification of appeal to visitors than on the drive around Lake Superior’s North Shore. There’s breathtaking scenic beauty, fine accommodations, well-developed campgrounds, endless points of historical interest, industry, and a wealth of activities for young and old. Although this is a country of dramatic seasonal change, its beauty and activity continues the year around.

Step aboard the QE & QEII for fun in the sun or a moonlight cruise. The Queen of Excelsior specializes in custom private charters for corporate, weddings and special events. Their recognized and professional staff, including a renowned Swiss Chef, will provide you with the best of quality service, libations and fine cuisine. Lake Minnetonka has 14,743 acres of spectacular scenery.

The Minnesota Zephyr is an elegant dining train, offering a chance to experience a journey back in time to relive and reminisce the era of the late 1940's. The Minnesota Zephyr has five dining cars carefully restored. Each car is different in design and color, recreating the prestigious railroad dining of decades gone by. This exciting adventure and romantic three and a half hour journey boards in the historic city of Stillwater and travels along the river, streams and woodland bluffs of the beautiful St. Croix River Valley.

The Minnesota Zoo is situated on 500 acres in Dakota County. It has 2,300 animals, with 105 animals representing 15 species on the United States Endangered Species Act list.

The Mall of America is the largest indoor, enclosed mall in the USA, with over 400 retailers housed within. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota. Attractions include: Camp Snoopy, Underwater Adventures, LEGO Imagination Center, Rainforest Café, NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, Café Odyssey and Golf Mountain.

Area: 86943 sq.mi, Land 79617 sq. mi., Water 7326 sq.mi., Great Lakes 2,546 sq.mi.

Agriculture: Dairy products, corn, cattle, soybeans, hogs, wheat, turkeys.

Industry: Machinery, food processing, printing and publishing, fabricated metal products, electric equipment, mining, tourism.

Flag: The Minnesota state flag is royal blue, with a gold fringe. In the center of the flag is the state seal. Around the state seal is a wreath of the state flower, the lady slipper. Three dates are woven into the wreath: 1858, the year Minnesota became a state; 1819, the year Fort Snelling was established; and 1893, the year the official flag was adopted. Nineteen stars ring the wreath. The largest star represents Minnesota.

State Capital: St. Paul.

Largest Cities: Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington, Duluth, and Rochester.

State Motto: "L'Etoile du nord" - The star of the north.

Topography: Image Central hill and lake region covering approximately half the state; to the northeast, rocky ridges and deep lakes; to the northwest, flat plains; to the south, rolling plains and deep river valleys.

State Bird: Common Loon.

State Flower: Pink and white lady's-slipper - Cypripedium reginae.

State Nickname: North Star State / Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Origin of state's name: Based on the Dakota Sioux Indian word for "sky-tinted water," referring to the Minnesota River or the state's many lakes.

State Tree: Red Pine - Pinus resinosa.