Minnesota - Land of 10,000 Lakes
Capital: St. Paul | Abbreviation: MN | Region: Midwest | Population: 5.7 million
Quick Facts
| Population | 5,706,494 |
| Area | 86,936 sq mi (225,163 km²) |
| Population Rank | 22nd |
| Area Rank | 12th |
| Capital | St. Paul |
| Largest City | Minneapolis (430K) |
| Statehood | May 11, 1858 (32nd state) |
| Time Zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5) |
| Nickname | Land of 10,000 Lakes |
Interactive Map
🔴 St. Paul (Capital)
About Minnesota
Minnesota is a Midwestern state with a population of 5.7 million, making it the twenty-second most populous state. The state capital is St. Paul, which forms the "Twin Cities" with Minneapolis across the Mississippi River. Minneapolis is the largest city with 430,000 residents, while the Twin Cities metropolitan area has 3.7 million people. Minnesota became the 32nd state on May 11, 1858. The state's name comes from the Dakota word "mni sota," meaning "sky-tinted water."
Minnesota is famous as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," though it actually has 11,842 lakes larger than 10 acres. Lake Superior forms Minnesota's northeastern border, making it the only state that borders one of the Great Lakes from the north. The state contains the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca. Minnesota's northern location means harsh, long winters with heavy snowfall, while summers are pleasant and warm. The state extends farther north than any other contiguous state (Northwest Angle).
Minnesota has a diverse, prosperous economy with major Fortune 500 companies including Target, Best Buy, 3M, General Mills, Medtronic, and UnitedHealth Group. The Twin Cities are a major cultural center with world-class theaters, museums, professional sports teams, and thriving arts scene. The state has Scandinavian and German heritage, progressive politics, high-quality education and healthcare, and residents known for "Minnesota Nice" friendliness. The Mall of America in Bloomington is the largest shopping mall in the United States.
Geography & Climate
Minnesota features abundant water resources and northern forests:
- 11,842 Lakes: More than the "10,000 Lakes" nickname, fishing, boating paradise
- Lake Superior: Northeast border, largest freshwater lake by surface area
- Mississippi River: Headwaters at Lake Itasca, flows through Twin Cities
- Boundary Waters: Million-acre wilderness, canoeing, pristine lakes
- Northwoods: Dense forests in northern Minnesota
- Climate: Continental, very cold winters (-40°F possible), warm summers, four distinct seasons
Major Cities
Minneapolis
Population: 429,954
Metro: 3.7M (Twin Cities)
Known For: Lakes, skyways, Fortune 500s, arts, progressive, Prince
St. Paul
Population: 311,527
Metro: 3.7M (Twin Cities)
Known For: State capital, historic architecture, Minnesota State Fair, Hmong community
Rochester
Population: 121,395
Metro: 226K
Known For: Mayo Clinic, medical research, healthcare destination
Bloomington
Population: 89,987
Known For: Mall of America, Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, hotels
Duluth
Population: 86,697
Known For: Lake Superior port, shipping, scenic location, Aerial Lift Bridge
Brooklyn Park
Population: 86,478
Known For: Twin Cities suburb, diverse community, residential
Twin Cities - Minneapolis & St. Paul
The Twin Cities metropolitan area is Minnesota's economic and cultural heart:
- Fortune 500 Headquarters: 16 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Twin Cities - Target, Best Buy, 3M, General Mills, UnitedHealth
- Skyway System: Minneapolis has 9.5 miles of enclosed skyways connecting downtown buildings, world's largest continuous system
- Theater & Arts: More theater seats per capita than anywhere except NYC, Guthrie Theater, Walker Art Center
- Chain of Lakes: Minneapolis has beautiful urban lakes - Calhoun, Harriet, Isles - for recreation
- Music Heritage: Prince from Minneapolis, Bob Dylan from Hibbing, influential music scene
- Professional Sports: Vikings (NFL), Twins (MLB), Timberwolves (NBA), Wild (NHL), Lynx (WNBA)
- Education: University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) major research university
Economy & Industry
Minnesota has a prosperous, diverse economy:
- Healthcare: Mayo Clinic (Rochester), UnitedHealth Group, Medtronic, medical devices, health insurance
- Retail: Target headquarters (Minneapolis), Best Buy, major retail innovation
- Manufacturing: 3M, machinery, food processing, medical devices, electronics
- Food Processing: General Mills, Hormel, Land O'Lakes, Cargill - major food companies
- Technology: Growing tech sector, software, cybersecurity, health tech
- Agriculture: Corn, soybeans, sugar beets, turkeys - top agricultural producer
- Mining: Iron Range in north, taconite mining, historic iron ore production
Outdoor Recreation & Natural Beauty
Minnesota offers exceptional outdoor recreation and wilderness:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Over 1 million acres of pristine wilderness in northern Minnesota along Canadian border. More than 1,000 lakes and streams accessible only by canoe. No motors allowed. Camping, fishing, canoeing in one of America's most pristine wilderness areas. Voted #1 canoeing destination in North America.
North Shore & Lake Superior
- Scenic Highway 61 along Lake Superior
- Split Rock Lighthouse iconic landmark
- Gooseberry Falls and other waterfalls
- Superior National Forest
- Duluth - vibrant port city with Aerial Lift Bridge
Interesting Facts
- Actually has 11,842 lakes (over 10 acres), not just 10,000
- Mall of America is largest shopping mall in United States
- Minneapolis skyway system is world's largest continuous system (9.5 miles)
- Source of Mississippi River is Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota
- Northwest Angle is northernmost point in contiguous 48 states
- State has more shoreline than California, Florida, Hawaii combined
- Minnesota State Fair is one of largest and best-attended state fairs (2 million visitors)
- Mayo Clinic in Rochester is world-renowned medical center
- Spam (canned meat) produced in Austin, Minnesota by Hormel
- Honeycrisp apple developed at University of Minnesota (1960)
- Tonka Trucks, waterskiing, Scotch tape invented in Minnesota
- Bob Dylan from Hibbing, Prince from Minneapolis
- F. Scott Fitzgerald born in St. Paul
- State produces more turkeys than any other state
Neighboring States & Borders
Also borders: Canada (Manitoba & Ontario) to the North | Lake Superior (Northeast)
Compare Minnesota
See how Minnesota compares to other states in population, economy, and more.
Compare Minnesota