Minnesota

(State of Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes)

General Information:

Location: Midwestern United States
Capital: Saint Paul
Language(s): English
Population: 5,639,632
Total Area: 225,181 sq km
Curious Alcohol Fact: The state is home to various vineyards.
Most Popular Drink(s): Wines, beers – best enjoyed with our Minnesota shot glass souvenirs
Nickname(s): The Land of 10,000 Lakes, The Gopher State
What You Must Do in Minnesota: Visit the IDS Tower.

Minnesota Travel Video

Video Courtesy: traveloworld

The State

This state is bounded on the east by Wisconsin and Lake Superior, on the north by Manitoba and Ontario (which are provinces of Canada); on the west by North and South Dakota while Iowa lies to the south.

Admitted into the Union as the 32nd state in 1858, Minnesota is also called the Land of 10,000 Lakes! This is actually true as the state has over tens of thousands of lakes. However, the state derives it name from a Sioux (Dakota) work, which means ‘sky-colored water’.

Apart from Alaska, the state is the most northerly of all the states and it shares the pristine Lake Superior with its neighbors –Wisconsin and Michigan. I was happy to enjoy a drink at one of the bars. The state is also popular for its natural endowments –vast woodlands, arable prairies and countless lakes.

The climate of Minnesota is continental and that means the winters are cold but you will enjoy the summers, which are warm. Various animals are found in the state and many tourists take part in numerous wildlife sightseeing tours to see some of the most magnificent animals in America. These include the lynx, beavers, deer, raccoons and black bears.

The People

Almost 90% of the people living in the state are Whites. That is not surprising but I received a shocker when I learnt a vast majority of these Whites do not have English roots.

Instead, their ancestors were immigrants who came mainly from the Scandinavia (nations like Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Norway) and Germany.

As a matter of fact, it is quite difficult to meet someone in Minnesota who will claim English ancestry –there are some but are quite rare to come across. Others Minnesotans are Blacks (African Americans), Asians and Latinos. The principal language is Christianity and there is what I will call a sprinkling of Muslims and Buddhists.

Eating

Eating in Minnesota is one of the most amazing things that you will ever do in the United States. Being a state riddled with thousands of lakes, you should expect smoked trout or fried walleye in many restaurants.

However, there are some other dishes that you have to try out too and one of the most memorable of these is cooked wild rice with spiced bison meat soup. If you are not salivating already, then wait until you are served with the eye-catching and tongue-stimulating hot dish and jello salads.

But, for those who are lucky enough to visit the Asian communities, you should ask for the famed tom yam, which is a spicy seafood-stuffed soup from Southeast Asian states of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. My German hosts also fed me with tasty sausages! If you are interested in ethnic restaurants, Minnesota is the ideal location.

For example, from Korea to Greece, and Jamaica to France, all dishes are available with the snap of a finger –try it when you visit the state!

Drinking

Minnesota is home to some nice wineries and you can be sure of getting exotic and traditional wines. Local beers and other beverages are also available.

Sports

Ice hockey happens to be quite popular in the state and it was even adopted as the official sport for the state. Other sports enjoyed by Missourians include basketball, baseball and soccer.

Interesting Facts

The state actually has more than 10,000 lakes.
The state has one of the most impressive health systems in the country. Therefore, expect the best treatment.
Missouri is also a leader in the production of biofuels and other alternative sources of energy.
The famous Mayo Clinic is based in the state.
Milk is the official state drink. Therefore, expect to enjoy a lot of jugs.
The state derived its name from a Dakota word meaning ‘sky-tinted water’.

Minnesota souvenirs

Moreover, Minnesota, with its several iconic symbols and landmarks, has always been and remains one of the most popular places to purchase souvenirs. However, among the many options of Minnesota-themed souvenirs, shot glasses are considered particularly and intriguing items for collecting or gifting.

Story By World By Shotglass
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Special thanks to our contributors:
Adebayo Ahmed Adebola (Ilorin, Nigeria).