North Dakota

North Dakota is a state located along the North Central border of the United States of America. It is bordered by Canada to the North, Minnesota to the East, South Dakota to the South, and Montana to the West.

The capital of North Dakota is the city of Bismarck, though the most populated city is Fargo. North Dakota is one of the five least populous US states, with the majority of the populace living in four disparate cities: Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Bismarck. The rest of the state is sparsely populated with large farmlands and ranches.

Native peoples have lived in the area around North Dakota for thousands of years. More recently, between 1100 and 1600 the Mandan and the Hidatsa people lived in the region. A number of other groups migrated to the area over the years, and either settled, or moved on due to warring between groups. French settlers first discovered the area in 1738, and by 1762 the region was under Spanish control as a part of Spanish Louisiana.

North Dakota became a US state in 1889, at the same time as South Dakota.

The flag of North Dakota was adopted in 1911, and consists of the United States Seal on a blue background. The sunburst at the top of the flag represents the bright future of North Dakota, with the thirteen stars representing the original thirteen states of the United States. The Latin written on the ribbon of the eagle's beak (E pluribus unum) translates to 'Out of many, one', symbolising a nation made up of multiple states. The eagle itself represents the strength and power of the union. The shield on the eagle's back has thirteen stripes, also to represent the original thirteen states in the United States. The olive branch in one of the eagle's claws represents peace, and the arrows in the other claw are for the readiness to defend freedom and liberty. are This flag has been challenged before for not being representative of North Dakota.

North Dakota was named for being the Northern part of the Dakota Territory, before it was split into multiple states. The Dakota Territory gets its name from the Dakota people, of the Great Sioux Nation, who lived in the region.