South Dakota 26746 225893347 2008-07-15T22:05:58Z AlexiusHoratius 2306142 update largest cities table with '07 population estimates, + update ref, old ref wouldn't load anyway {{US state | Name = South Dakota | Fullname = State of South Dakota | Flag = Flag of South Dakota.svg | Flaglink = [[Flag of South Dakota]] | Seal = SouthDakotastateseal.jpg | Map = Map of USA SD.svg | Nickname = The Mount Rushmore State (official), <br />The Sunshine State | Motto = Under God the people rule | Capital = [[Pierre, South Dakota|Pierre]] | OfficialLang = [[English language|English]] | Demonym = South Dakotan | LargestCity = [[Sioux Falls, South Dakota|Sioux Falls]] | Governor = [[M. Michael Rounds]] (R)| Lieutenant Governor = [[Dennis Daugaard]] (R) | Senators = [[Tim Johnson (politician)|Tim Johnson]] (D)<br />[[John Thune]] (R) | Representative = [[Stephanie Herseth Sandlin]] (D) | PostalAbbreviation = SD | AreaRank = 17<sup>th</sup> | TotalAreaUS = 77,116<ref name=SDArea>{{cite web| url =http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108355.html| title =Land and Water Area of States (2000)| publisher =www.infoplease.com| accessdate = 2007-09-03 | accessyear = 2007}}</ref> | TotalArea = 199,905 | LandAreaUS = 75,689 | LandArea = 196,735 | WaterAreaUS = 1,225 | WaterArea = 3,173 | PCWater = 1.6 | PopRank = 46<sup>th</sup> | 2000Pop = 781,919 (2006 est.)<ref name = SDQuickfacts>{{cite web | title = State and County Quickfacts (South Dakota) | publisher = United States Census Bureau | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | url = http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/46000.html}}</ref>| DensityRank = 46<sup>th</sup> | 2000DensityUS = 9.9 <!-- quickfacts.census.gov --> | 2000Density = 3.84 | AdmittanceOrder = 40<sup>th</sup> | AdmittanceDate = [[November 2]], [[1889]] | TimeZone = [[Central Standard Time Zone|Central]]: [[UTC]]-6/[[Daylight saving time|-5]] | TZ1Where = eastern half | TimeZone2 = [[Mountain Standard Time Zone|Mountain]]: [[UTC]]-7/[[Daylight saving time|-6]] | TZ2Where = western half | Latitude = 42°&#8202;29′ N to 45°&#8202;56′ N | Longitude = 96°&#8202;26′ W to 104°&#8202;03′ W | WidthUS = 210 | Width = 340 | LengthUS = 380 | Length = 610 | HighestPoint = [[Harney Peak]]<ref name=usgs>{{cite web| year =[[29 April]] [[2005]] | url =http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest| title =Elevations and Distances in the United States| publisher =U.S Geological Survey| accessmonthday = November 7 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> | HighestElevUS = 7,242 | HighestElev = 2,209 | MeanElevUS = 2,200 | MeanElev = 670 | LowestPoint = [[Big Stone Lake]]<ref name=usgs/> | LowestElevUS = 966 | LowestElev = 295 | ISOCode = US-SD | Website = www.sd.gov }} '''South Dakota''' (({{audio|En-us-South Dakota.ogg|Pronunciation}} {{IPAEng|ˌsɑʊθdəˈkoʊtə}}) is a [[U.S. state|state]] located in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwestern region]] of the [[United States of America]]. It is named after the [[Lakota people|Lakota]] and [[Sioux|Dakota]] ([[Sioux]]) [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] tribes. South Dakota was admitted to the Union on [[November 2]], [[1889]]. ([[North Dakota]] was admitted simultaneously.) The centrally located city of [[Pierre, South Dakota|Pierre]] serves as the state capital, and [[Sioux Falls]], with 150,000 people, is the largest city in the state. Located in the north-central United States, South Dakota is bisected by the [[Missouri River]], dividing the state into two socially and economically distinct halves, known to residents as "[[West River (South Dakota)|West River]]" and "East River".<ref name=eastwestriver>Hasselstrom, Linda: ''Roadside History of South Dakota'', pages 2-4. Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1994</ref> Rich soil in the eastern part of the state is used to grow a variety of crops, while [[ranch]]ing is the predominant agricultural activity in the west. In the southwestern portion of the state rise the [[Black Hills]], a group of low, pine-covered mountains. A region of great religious importance to local [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indians]] as well as a major draw for the state [[tourism]] industry, the Black Hills are also the location of [[Mt. Rushmore]], probably the best-known location in the state and a widely used symbol of South Dakota. Historically dominated by an agricultural economy and a rural lifestyle, South Dakota has recently sought to diversify its economy in an effort to attract and retain residents. The state is still largely rural, though, with one of the lowest population densities in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | title = List of States by Population Density | publisher = www.answers.com | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | url = http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-u-s-states-by-population-density}}</ref> While several notable [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[United States Senate|senators]] have represented South Dakota at the federal level, the state's government is largely dominated by the [[Republican Party (United States)|Rebublican Party]], and Republicans have carried South Dakota in the last ten [[United States presidential election|presidential elections]]. ==Geography== {{main|Geography of South Dakota}} South Dakota is situated in the north-central United States, and is usually considered to be a part of the [[Midwest]], although the [[Great Plains]] region also covers the state. Additionally, South Dakota is at times considered to be a part of the [[western United States|West]]. The [[Missouri River]] runs through the central part of South Dakota. To the east of the river lie low hills and lakes formed by [[glacier]]s. Fertile farm country covers the area. To the west of the river the land consists of deep [[canyon]]s and rolling plains. South Dakota has a total land area of 77,116 sq. miles (199,905 km²), making the state the [[List of U.S. states by area|17<sup>th</sup> largest]] in the Union.<ref name=SDArea/> South Dakota is bordered to the north by [[North Dakota]]; to the south by [[Nebraska]]; to the east by [[Iowa]] and [[Minnesota]]; and to the west by [[Wyoming]] and [[Montana]]. The geographical center of the U.S. is 17 miles west of Castle Rock in [[Butte County, South Dakota|Butte County]].<ref name=usgs2>{{cite web | title = Elevations and Distances in the United States | publisher = United States Geological Survey | accessdate = 2007-12-01 | url = http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html}}</ref> ===Regions=== South Dakota has four major land regions: the [[Drift Prairie]], the [[Dissected Till Plains]], the [[Great Plains]], and the [[Black Hills]]. The Drift Prairie covers most of eastern South Dakota. This is the land of low hills and glacial lakes. This area was called Coteau des Prairies (Prairie Hills) by early French traders. In the north, the Coteau des Prairies is bordered on the east by the [[Minnesota River]] Valley and on the west by the James River Basin. The James River Basin is mostly flat land, following the flow of the [[James River (Dakotas)|James River]] through South Dakota from north to south. The Dissected Till Plains lie in the southeastern corner of South Dakota. This area of rolling hills is criss-crossed by many streams. [[Image:National-atlas-south-dakota.png|left|thumb|Geographic and political features of South Dakota]] The Great Plains cover most of the western two-thirds of South Dakota. The Coteau de Missouri hills and valleys lie between the James River Basin of the Drift Prairie and the Missouri River. West of the Missouri River the landscape becomes more rugged and consists of rolling hills, plains, canyons, and steep flat-topped hills called [[butte]]s. These buttes sometimes rise 400 to 600 [[foot (unit of length)|feet]] (120 to 180&nbsp;[[metre|m]]) above the plains. In the south, east of the Black Hills, lie the South Dakota [[Badlands National Park|Badlands]]. The Black Hills are in the southwestern part of South Dakota and extend into Wyoming. This range of low mountains covers 6,000 [[square mile]]s (15,500&nbsp;[[square kilometre|km².]]) with mountains that rise from 2,000 to 4,000 feet (600 to 1,200&nbsp;m) above their bases. The highest point in South Dakota, [[Harney Peak]] (7,242&nbsp;ft or 2,207&nbsp;m above sea level), is in the Black Hills.<ref name=usgs/> This is the highest point in the United States east of the [[Rocky Mountains]].<ref name=usgs2/> The Black Hills are rich in minerals such as [[gold]], [[silver]], [[copper]], and [[lead]]. The [[Homestake Mine (South Dakota)|Homestake Mine]], one of the largest gold mines in the United States, is located in the Black Hills. South Dakotans also divide the state at the Missouri River into two general regions, known as [[West River (South Dakota)|West River]] and East River. The river serves as a somewhat stark boundary in terms of geographic, social and political differences between the two regions. West River features a more arid landscape, an economy largely based on tourism and ranching, and, aside from the Indian Reservations, a very conservative political climate. East River, on the other hand, is more densely populated, agriculture there is based more on farming than ranching, and the region is more politically moderate.<ref name=eastwestriver/><ref>Johnson, Dirk. ''Gold Divides Dakotans as River Did'' [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1DF1539F93AA35753C1A96E948260] The New York Times. 9 October 1988. (accessed 14 February, 2008)</ref> The Missouri River is the largest and longest river in the state. Other major South Dakota rivers include the [[Cheyenne River|Cheyenne]], the James, the [[Big Sioux River|Big Sioux]], and the [[White River (South Dakota)|White]]. South Dakota has many natural lakes, mostly occurring in the eastern part of the state. Additionally, [[dam]]s on the Missouri River create four large [[reservoir]]s: [[Oahe Dam|Lake Oahe]], Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and [[Lewis and Clark Lake]]. ===Ecology=== [[Image:Pronghorn Wind Cave NP.jpg|thumb|right|160px|A [[pronghorn]] in [[Wind Cave National Park]]]] Much of South Dakota, with the notable exception of the Black Hills, is dominated by a temperate [[grasslands]] [[biome]].<ref>{{cite web | title = A Short Introduction to Terrestrial Biomes | publisher = www.nearctica.com | accessdate = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.nearctica.com/ecology/habitats/biointro.htm}}</ref> Although grasses and crops cover most of this region, [[deciduous]] trees such as [[cottonwood]]s, [[elm]]s, and [[willow]]s are common near rivers and in [[shelter belt]]s.<ref>{{cite web | title = South Dakota Flora | publisher = Northern State University | accessdate = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.northern.edu/natsource/flora1.htm}}</ref> [[Mammals]] in this area include [[American bison|bison]], [[deer]], [[pronghorn]], [[coyotes]], and [[prairie dog]]s.<ref name=SDFauna>{{cite web | title = South Dakota Fauna | publisher = Northern State University | accessdate = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.northern.edu/natsource/fauna1.htm}}</ref> The state bird, the [[common pheasant|ring-necked pheasant]], has adapted particularly well to the area after being introduced from [[China]], and growing populations of [[bald eagle]]s are spread throughout the state, especially near the Missouri River.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ring-Necked Pheasant | publisher = Northern State University | accessdate = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.northern.edu/natsource/BIRDS/Ringne1.htm}}</ref><ref>Hetland, Cara. ''South Dakota bald eagles make a comeback'' [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/02/07/sdeaglesuccess/] Minnesota Public Radio. 8 February 2007. (accessed 22 September, 2007)</ref> Rivers and lakes of the grasslands support populations of [[walleye]], [[carp]], [[Pike (fish)|pike]], and [[bass (fish)|bass]], along with other species.<ref name=SDFauna/> The Missouri River also contains the pre-historic [[American paddlefish|paddlefish]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Paddlefish | publisher = Northern State University | accessdate = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.northern.edu/natsource/ENDANG1/Paddle1.htm}}</ref> Due to higher elevation and precipitation, the ecology of the Black Hills differs significantly from that of the plains. The mountains are thickly blanketed by various types of [[pine]], mostly of the [[ponderosa pine|ponderosa]] and [[spruce]] varieties.<ref>{{cite web | title = Pines of South Dakota | publisher = Northern State University | accessdate = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.northern.edu/natsource/TREESA1/Pineso1.htm}}</ref> Black Hills mammals include [[mule deer]], [[elk|elk (wapiti)]], [[bighorn sheep]], [[mountain goat]]s, and [[mountain lion]]s, while the streams and lakes contain several species of [[trout]].<ref name=SDFauna/><ref>{{cite web | title = Mountain Goat | publisher = South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks | accessdate = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.sdgfp.info/wildlife/hunting/BigGame/MtGoat.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = General Facts About Mountain Lions | publisher = South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks | accessdate = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/MountainLions/Facts.htm}}</ref> ===Climate=== South Dakota has a [[continental climate]] with four very distinct seasons ranging from typically very cold winters and hot summers. During the summers, the average high temperature throughout the state is close to 90 °F , although it often cools down to close to 60 °F at night. It is not unusual for South Dakota to have severe hot, dry spells in the summer with the temperature climbing above 100 °F for the high temperature for days or weeks at a time. Winters are cold with high temperatures in January averaging below freezing and low temperatures averaging below 10 °F in most of the state. The precipitation of the state ranges from semi-arid, in the northwestern part of the state (around 15 inches of annual precipitation) to semi-humid around the southeast portion of the state (around 25 inches of annual precipitation), although a small area centered around [[Lawrence County, South Dakota|Lawrence County]] has the highest precipitation at nearly 30 inches per annum. South Dakota summers bring frequent [[thunderstorms]] which can be severe with high winds, thunder, and hail. The eastern part of the state is often considered part of [[tornado alley]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Tornado Climatology | publisher = National Climatic Data Center | accessdate = 2008-01-01 | url = http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/tornadoes.html}}</ref> and South Dakota experiences an average of 23 tornadoes per year.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www5.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim60/states/Clim_SD_01.pdf | title = Climate of South Dakota | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | publisher = National Climatic Data Center | accessdate = 2008-01-01}}</ref> Winters are somewhat more stable, although severe weather in the form of [[blizzard]]s and [[ice storm]]s can occur during the season. <br clear="all"> {| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"| | colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:120%;background:#E8EAFA;"|Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various South Dakota Cities |- ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color: #000000" height="17" | City ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jan ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Feb ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Mar ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Apr ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | May ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jun ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jul ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Aug ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Sep ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Oct ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Nov ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Dec |- ! style="background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Aberdeen | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 21/1 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 28/9 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 40/21 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 57/33 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 70/46 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 79/55 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 85/60 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 84/57 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 73/46 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 59/34 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 39/20 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 26/6 |- ! style="background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Rapid City | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 34/11 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 39/16 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 47/23 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 57/32 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 67/43 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 77/52 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 86/58 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 86/57 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 75/46 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 62/35 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 45/22 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 36/13 |- ! style="background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Sioux Falls | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 25/3 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 32/10 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 44/21 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 59/32 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 71/45 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 81/54 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 86/60 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 83/58 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 74/48 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 61/35 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 42/21 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 29/8 |- | colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;background:#E8EAFA;"|''[http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-south-dakota/]'' |} ===National Parks and Monuments=== [[Image:Badlands national park 07 26 2005 1.jpg|right|thumb|160px|[[Badlands National Park]]]] [[Image:Mountrushmore.jpg|left|thumb|160px|[[Mount Rushmore National Memorial]] in the Black Hills]] South Dakota contains several sites that are protected by the [[National Park Service]]. Two [[national parks]] have been established in South Dakota, both of which are located in the southwestern part of the state. [[Badlands National Park]] was created in 1978.<ref>{{cite web | title = Frequenly Asked Questions (Badlands National Park) | publisher = National Park Service | accessdate = 2007-08-27 | url = http://www.nps.gov/badl/faqs.htm}}</ref> The park features a highly eroded, brightly-colored landscape surrounded by [[semi-arid]] grasslands.<ref>{{cite web | title = Badlands | publisher = National Park Service | accessdate = 2007-08-27 | url = http://www.nps.gov/badl}}</ref> [[Wind Cave National Park]], established in 1903 in the Black Hills, contains an extensive cave network as well as a large herd of [[American Bison|bison]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Wind Cave History | publisher = National Park Service | accessdate = 2007-08-28 | url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/wica/Wind_Cave_History.htm}}</ref> [[Mount Rushmore]] National Memorial in the Black Hills was established in 1925. The well-known attraction features a mountain carved by [[sculptor]] [[Gutzon Borglum]] to resemble four former U.S. presidents.<ref>{{cite web | title = Carving History | publisher = National Park Service | accessdate = 2007-08-27 | url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/moru/park_history/carving_hist/carving_history.htm}}</ref> Other areas managed by the National Park Service include [[Jewel Cave National Monument]] near [[Custer, South Dakota|Custer]], Crazy Horse Memorial, the [[Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail]], the [[Minuteman Missile National Historic Site]], which features a decommissioned [[nuclear missile silo]], and the [[Missouri National Recreational River]].<ref>{{cite web | title = South Dakota | publisher = National Park Service | accessdate = 2007-08-28 | url = http://www.nps.gov/state/sd}}</ref> ==History==<!-- This section is linked from [[List of capitals in the United States]] --> {{main|History of South Dakota}} Human beings have lived in what is today South Dakota for at least several thousand years. [[France|French]] and other [[European ethnic groups|European]] explorers in the 1700s encountered a variety of groups including the [[Omaha (tribe)|Omaha]] and [[Arikara]] ([[Ree]]), but by the early 1800s the [[Sioux]] ([[Sioux|Dakota]], [[Lakota people|Lakota]], and [[Nakota]]) were dominant. In 1743, the [[Louis-Joseph Gaultier de La Vérendrye|LaVerendrye]] brothers buried a plate near the site of modern day Pierre, claiming the region for [[France]] as part of [[Louisiana (New France)|greater Louisiana]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Gaultier De La Verendrye, Louis-Joseph | publisher = Dictionary of Canadian Biography | accessdate = 2007-04-09 | url = http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBioPrintable.asp?BioID=35487}}</ref> In 1803, the United States purchased the [[Louisiana Territory]] from [[Napoleon]], and President [[Thomas Jefferson]] organized a group commonly referred to as the "[[Lewis and Clark Expedition]]" to explore the newly-acquired region.<ref>{{cite web | title = Louisiana Purchase | publisher = National Park Service | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/jeff/LewisClark2/Circa1804/Heritage/LouisianaPurchase/LouisianaPurchase.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Teaching With Documents: The Lewis and Clark Expedition | publisher = The National Archives | accessdate = 2007-12-16 | url = http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/lewis-clark/}}</ref> In 1817, an American fur trading post was set up at present-day [[Fort Pierre]], beginning continuous American settlement of the area.<ref name=SDChrono>{{cite web | title = Chronology of South Dakota History | publisher = South Dakota Historical Society | accessdate = 2007-09-03 | url = http://www.sdhistory.org/soc/soc_hist.htm}}</ref> In 1855, the U.S. Army bought Fort Pierre but abandoned it the following year in favor of [[Fort Randall]] to the south.<ref name=SDChrono/> Settlement by Americans and Europeans was by this time increasing rapidly, and in 1858 the [[Yankton Sioux]] signed the [[List of United States treaties|1858 Treaty]], ceding most of present-day eastern South Dakota to the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web | title = 1858 "Treaty of Washington" | publisher = Minnesota Historical Society | accessdate = 2007-08-28 | url = http://www.mnhs.org/collections/manuscripts/treaty1858.htm}}</ref> [[Image:Deadwood13.jpg|thumb|right|160px|[[Deadwood, South Dakota|Deadwood]], like many other [[Black Hills]] towns, was founded after the discovery of [[gold]]]] Land speculators founded two of eastern South Dakota's largest present-day cities: [[Sioux Falls]] in 1856 and [[Yankton, South Dakota|Yankton]] in 1859. In 1861, [[Dakota Territory]] was established by the United States government (this initially included [[North Dakota]], South Dakota, and parts of [[Montana]] and [[Wyoming]]).<ref>{{cite web | title = Dakota Territory History | publisher = Union County Historical Society | accessdate = 2007-09-03 | url = http://www.acsnet.com/~jkjar/dt_history.htm}}</ref> Settlers from [[Scandinavia]], [[Germany]], [[Ireland]], and [[Russia]], as well as elsewhere in [[Europe]] and from the eastern U.S. states increased from a trickle to a flood, especially after the completion of an eastern railway link to the territorial capital of Yankton in 1872, and the discovery of gold in the [[Black Hills]] in 1874 during a military expedition led by [[George A. Custer]]. This expedition took place despite the fact that the western half of present day South Dakota had been granted to the Sioux by the [[Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)]] as part of the [[Great Sioux Reservation]]. The Sioux declined to grant [[mining]] rights or land in the Black Hills, and war broke out after the U.S. failed to stop white miners and settlers from entering the region. The Sioux were eventually defeated and settled on reservations within South Dakota and North Dakota.<ref name=SDChrono/> An increasing population caused Dakota Territory to be divided in half and a [[bill (proposed law)|bill]] for [[U.S. state|statehood]] for North Dakota and South Dakota (as well as [[Montana]] and [[Washington]]) titled the [[Enabling Act of 1889]] was passed on [[February 22]], [[1889]] during the Administration of [[Grover Cleveland]]. It was left to his successor, [[Benjamin Harrison]], to sign proclamations formally admitting North and South Dakota to the Union on [[November 2]], [[1889]]. Harrison directed his [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], [[James G. Blaine]], to shuffle the papers and obscure from him which he was signing first and the actual order went unrecorded.<ref>[http://www.usmint.gov/kids/coinNews/coinOfTheMonth/2006/09.cfm U.S. Mint Coin of the Month]</ref><ref>[http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award97/ndfahtml/ngp_nd_terr.html Library of Congress, Dakota Territory and Statehood]</ref> On [[December 29]], [[1890]], the [[Wounded Knee Massacre]] occurred on the [[Pine Ridge Indian Reservation]]. Commonly cited as the last major armed conflict between the United States and the Sioux Nation, the massacre resulted in the deaths of an estimated 300 Sioux, many of them women and children. 25 U.S. soldiers were also killed in the conflict.<ref>{{cite web | title = Massacre at Wounded Knee, 1890 | publisher = www.eyewitnesstohistory.com | accessdate = 2007-04-04 | url = http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/knee.htm}}</ref> [[Image:Dust Bowl - Dallas, South Dakota 1936.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A South Dakota farm during the [[Dust Bowl]], 1936]] During the 1930s, several economic and climatic conditions combined with disastrous results for South Dakota. A lack of rainfall, extremely high temperatures and over-cultivation of farmland produced what was known as the [[Dust Bowl]] in South Dakota and several other plains states. Fertile [[topsoil]] was blown away in massive dust storms, and several harvests were completely ruined.<ref>{{cite web | title = Drought in the Dust Bowl Years | publisher = National Drought Mitigation Center | accessdate = 2007-04-04 | url = http://drought.unl.edu/whatis/dustbowl.htm}}</ref> The experiences of the Dust Bowl, coupled with local bank [[foreclosure]]s and the general economic effects of the [[Great Depression]] resulted in many South Dakotans leaving the state. The population of South Dakota declined by more than seven percent between 1930 and 1940. Economic stability returned with the U.S. entry into [[World War II]] in 1941, when demand for the state's agricultural and industrial products grew as the nation mobilized for war. In 1944, the [[Pick-Sloan Plan]] was passed as part of the [[Flood Control Act of 1944]] by the U.S. Congress, resulting in the construction of six large dams on the Missouri River, four of which are at least partially located in South Dakota. Flood control, [[hydroelectricity]] and recreational opportunities such as boating and fishing are provided by the dams and their reservoirs.<ref>{{cite web | title = Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program | publisher = www.answers.com | accessdate = 2007-04-04 | url = http://www.answers.com/topic/pick-sloan-plan}}</ref> In recent decades, South Dakota has transformed from a state dominated by agriculture to one with a more diversified economy. The tourism industry has grown considerably since the completion of the interstate system in the 1960s, with the Black Hills being especially impacted. The financial service industry began to grow in the state as well, with [[Citibank]] moving its credit card operations from New York to Sioux Falls in 1981, a move that has since been followed by several other financial companies.<ref>Hetland, Cara. ''Sioux Falls 25 years after Citibank's arrival.'' [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/02/23/siouxfalls] Minnesota Public Radio. 24 February 2006. (accessed 23 March, 2007)</ref> In 2007, the site of the recently-closed [[Homestake Mine (South Dakota)|Homestake gold mine]] near [[Lead, South Dakota|Lead]] was chosen as the location of a new underground research facility.<ref>{{cite web | title = Homestake Strikes Gold Again | publisher = South Dakota Science and Technology Authority | accessdate = 2007-08-28 | url = http://www.sanfordlaboratoryathomestake.org/news_07-10-07a.html}}</ref> Despite a growing state population and recent economic development, many rural areas have been struggling over the past 50 years with locally declining populations and the emigration of educated young adults to larger South Dakota cities, such as Rapid City or Sioux Falls, or to other states.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sweeping out the Plains | publisher = www.aliciapatterson.org | accessdate = 2007-04-05 | url = http://www.aliciapatterson.org/APF2102/Coffman_Anthan/Coffman_Anthan.html}}</ref> ==Demographics== {{main|Demographics of South Dakota}} [[Image:South Dakota population map.png|thumb|South Dakota Population Density Map]] {{USCensusPop |1860 = 4837 |1870 = 11776 |1880 = 98268 |1890 = 348600 |1900 = 401570 |1910 = 583888 |1920 = 636547 |1930 = 692849 |1940 = 642961 |1950 = 652740 |1960 = 680514 |1970 = 665507 |1980 = 690768 |1990 = 696004 |2000 = 754844 |estyear = 2007<ref>{{cite web | title = Population Finder - South Dakota | publisher = United States Census Bureau | accessdate = 2008-02-23 | url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&_name=&_state=04000US46&_county=&_cityTown=&_zip=&_sse=on&_lang=en&pctxt=fph}}</ref> |estimate = 796214 }} ===Population=== According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], as of 2005, South Dakota has an estimated population of 775,933, which is an increase of 5,312, or 0.7%, from the prior year and an increase of 21,093, or 2.8%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 19,199 people (that is 56,247 births minus 37,048 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 3,222 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 3,957 people, and migration within the country produced a net loss of 735 people. 6.8% of South Dakota's population were reported as under 5, 26.8% under 18, and 14.3% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.4% of the population. The [[center of population]] of South Dakota is located in [[Buffalo County, South Dakota|Buffalo County]], in the unincorporated county seat of [[Gannvalley, South Dakota|Gannvalley]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Population and Population Centers by State - 2000 | publisher = United States Census Bureau | accessdate = 2007-08-18 | url = http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt}}</ref> ===Race and ethnicity=== In 2005, the Census Bureau estimated that 88.5% of South Dakotans were [[white people|White]], 8.8% were [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] or [[Alaskan Native]], 2.1 were [[Hispanic]] (of any race), 0.8% were [[black people|Black]], 0.7% were [[asian people|Asian]], while 2.1% belonged to [[biracial|more than one race]].<ref name = SDQuickfacts/> The five largest ancestry groups in South Dakota are: [[German-American|German]] (40.7%), [[Norwegian-American|Norwegian]] (15.3%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (10.4%), [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (8.3%), and [[British-American|English]] (7.1%). German-Americans are the largest ancestry group in most parts of the state, especially in the east, although there are also large Scandinavian populations in some counties. American Indians, largely Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota (Sioux) are predominant in several counties. South Dakota has the fourth highest proportion of Native Americans of any state, behind [[Alaska]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[New Mexico]]. [[Image:National-atlas-indian-reservations-south-dakota.gif|thumb|left|South Dakota has a number of large [[Indian Reservation|Indian reservations]] (shown in pink).]] As of the 2000 census, 1.90% of the population aged 5 or older speak [[German language|German]] at home, while 1.51% speak [[Dakota language|Dakota]], and 1.43% [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Most Spoken Languages in South Dakota | publisher = www.mla.org | accessdate = 2007-08-18 | url = http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=46&mode=state_tops}}</ref> ===Growth and rural flight=== South Dakota, in common with five other Midwest states ([[Nebraska]], [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[North Dakota]], and [[Iowa]]), is experiencing a trend of falling populations in rural counties, despite an overall increase in population for all of these states except North Dakota. 89% of the total number of cities in these six states have fewer than 3,000 people; hundreds have fewer than 1000. Between 1996 and 2004, almost half a million people, nearly half with college degrees, left the six states. "Rural flight" as it is called has led to offers of free land and tax breaks as enticements to newcomers. The effect of rural flight has not been spread evenly through South Dakota, however. Although most rural counties and small towns have lost population, the Sioux Falls area and the Black Hills have gained population. In fact, [[Lincoln County, South Dakota|Lincoln County]], near Sioux Falls, is the ninth-fastest growing county (by percentage) in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | title = 100 Fastest Growing Counties | publisher = United States Census Bureau | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/CO-EST2004-09.html}}</ref> The growth in these areas has compensated for losses in the rest of the state, and South Dakota's total population continues to increase steadily, albeit at a slower rate than the national average.<ref name=SDQuickfacts/> ===Religion=== According to a 2001 survey, 86% of South Dakotans described themselves as being members of a [[Christian]] denomination:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm | title=American Religious Identification Survey | work=Exhibit 15 | publisher = The Graduate Center, City University of New York | accessdate = 2007-04-06}}</ref> *[[Protestant]] (61%) **[[Lutheran]] (27%) **[[Methodist]] (13%) **[[Baptist]] (4%) **[[Presbyterian]] (4%) **Other Protestant (6%) **[[non-denominational|Non-denominational Christian]] (7%) *[[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] (25%) *Not religious (8%) *A non-Christian religion (3%) *2% refused to answer. ==Economy== [[Image:B-1B Take Off.jpg|thumb|right|180px|A [[B-1B Lancer]] lifts off from [[Ellsworth Air Force Base]], one of South Dakota's largest employers]] The current-dollar [[gross state product]] of South Dakota was $32.3 billion as of 2006.<ref>{{cite web | title = Gross Domestic Product (GDP) By State (Table 5) | publisher = Bureau of Economic Analyses | accessdate = 2007-09-08 | url = http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_state/gsp_newsrelease.htm}}</ref> The per capita personal income was $26,894 in 2004, the 37th highest in the nation and 13.08 percent below the national average. 13.2% of the population is below the poverty line. As of July 2007, South Dakota's [[unemployment rate]] was 3.0%, the fifth-lowest jobless rate in the nation.<ref>{{cite web | title = Unemployment state by state | publisher = CNNMoney.com | accessdate = 2007-09-08 | url = http://www.money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/state_unemployment/}}</ref> The [[service industry]] is the largest economic contributor in South Dakota. This sector includes the [[retail]], [[finance]], and [[health care]] industries. Government spending is another important segment of the state's economy, providing over ten percent of the gross state product.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sdreadytowork.com/research/industry/GrossStateProduct.pdf | title = South Dakota GSP by component | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | publisher = Governor's Office of Economic Development | date = [[2007]] | accessdate = 2007-09-08}}</ref> [[Ellsworth Air Force Base]], near Rapid City, is the second-largest single employer in the state.<ref>Reha, Bob. ''South Dakota's Ellsworth AFB to stay open.'' [http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/08/26_rehab_ellsworthopen/] Minnesota Public Radio. 26 August 2005. (accessed 8 September, 2007)</ref> [[Image:SDethnl1.jpg|thumb|left|180px|[[Ethanol]] plant in [[Turner County, South Dakota|Turner County]]]] [[Agriculture]] has historically been a key component of the South Dakota economy. Although other industries have expanded rapidly in recent decades, agricultural production is still very important to the state's economy, especially in rural areas. The five most valuable agricultural products in South Dakota are [[cattle]], [[maize|corn (maize)]], [[soybeans]], [[pig|hogs]], and [[wheat]].<ref>{{cite web | title = State Marketing Profiles : South Dakota | publisher = United States Department of Agriculture | accessdate = 2008-01-18 | url = http://www.ams.usda.gov/statesummaries/SD/SouthDakotaInBrief.htm}}</ref> Agriculture-related industries such as [[meat packing]] and [[ethanol]] production also have a considerable economic impact on the state. South Dakota is one of the top five ethanol-producing states in the nation.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ethanol Production By State | publisher = Nebraska Energy Office | accessdate = 2007-06-30 | url = http://www.neo.ne.gov/statshtml/121.htm}}</ref> Another important sector in South Dakota's economy is tourism. Many travel to view the attractions of the state, particularly those of the Black Hills region such as historic [[Deadwood, South Dakota|Deadwood]], Mt. Rushmore, and the nearby state and national parks. One of the largest tourist events in the state is the annual [[Sturgis Motorcycle Rally]]. The three-day event drew over 450,000 attendants in 2006, significant considering the state has a population of only 750,000.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sturgis Rally Attendance Statistics | publisher = www.sturgis.com | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | url = http://www.sturgis.com/2kstats.html}}</ref> In 2006, tourism provided an estimated 33,000 jobs in the state and contributed over two billion US$ to the economy of South Dakota.<ref>{{cite web | title = South Dakota Tourism Statistics | publisher = South Dakota Department of Tourism | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | url = http://sdvisit.com/tools/facts/index.asp}}</ref> ===State taxes=== As of 2005, South Dakota has the lowest per capita total state tax rate in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | title = States Ranked by Total State Taxes and Per Capita Amount: 2005 | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau | accessdate = 2007-04-04 | url = http://www.census.gov/govs/statetax/05staxrank.html}}</ref> The state does not levy personal or corporate [[income tax]]es,<ref>{{cite web | title = New Business Information | publisher = South Dakota Department of Revenue & Regulation | accessdate = 2008-01-27 | url = http://www.state.sd.us/drr2/newbusiness.htm}}</ref> [[inheritance tax]]es,<ref>{{cite web | title = Inheritance/Estate Tax | publisher = South Dakota Department of Revenue & Regulation | accessdate = 2008-01-27 | url = http://www.state.sd.us/drr2/propspectax/inheritance.htm}}</ref> or taxes on [[personal property|intangible personal property]]. The state [[sales tax]] rate is 4 percent.<ref>{{cite web | title = State Sales Tax Rates | publisher = Federation of Tax Administrators | accessdate = 2007-12-18 | url = http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/sales.html}}</ref> Various localities have local levies so that in some areas the rate is 6 percent. The state sales tax does not apply to sales to [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indians]] on [[Indian Reservations]], but many reservations have a compact with the state. Businesses on the reservation collect the tax and the state refunds to the Indian Tribes the percentage of sales tax collections relating to the ratio of Indian population to total population in the county or area affected. [[Ad valorem tax|Ad valorem]] [[property tax]]es are local taxes and are a large source of funding for school systems, counties, municipalities and other local government units. Their administration is a local responsibility. The state revenue department does not collect or use property taxes, but it does centrally assess the property of large companies. The legislature sets some standards by general acts. The [[South Dakota Special Tax Division]] regulates some taxes including cigarette and alcohol related taxes.<ref>{{cite web | last =South Dakota Department of Revenue & Regulation | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Special Tax Information | work = | publisher = | date = | url =http://www.state.sd.us/drr2/propspectax/index.htm | accessdate =2008-03-18 }}</ref> ==Transportation== [[Image:South dakota rest stop.jpg|left|thumb|110px|A [[rest area|rest stop]] "[[tipi]]" is a frequent sight on a trip across the state]] South Dakota has a total of 83,609 miles of highways, roads, and streets, along with 679 miles of [[interstate highways]].<ref>{{cite web | title = General Information/Key Facts | publisher = South Dakota Department of Transportation | accessdate = 2007-09-03 | url = http://www.sddot.com/geninfo_facts.asp}}</ref> Two major interstates pass through South Dakota: [[Interstate 90]], which runs east and west; and [[Interstate 29]], running north and south in the eastern portion of the state. The counties and towns along Interstate 29 make up what is locally referred to as "the I-29 corridor." This area features generally higher rates of population and economic growth than areas in eastern South Dakota that are further from the interstate. Interstate 90, being a major route between western national parks and large cities to the east, brings many out-of-state travelers through South Dakota, thus helping to boost the tourism and hospitality industries. Also located in the state are the shorter interstates [[Interstate 190 (South Dakota)|190]], a [[spur route|spur]] into central Rapid City, and [[Interstate 229 (South Dakota)|229]], a [[loop route|loop]] around eastern and southern Sioux Falls. Several major [[U.S. highway]]s pass through the state. U.S. routes [[U.S. Route 12|12]], [[U.S. Route 14|14]], [[U.S. Route 16|16]], [[U.S. Route 18|18]], and [[U.S. Route 212|212]] travel east and west, while U.S. routes [[U.S. Route 81|81]], [[U.S. Route 83|83]], [[U.S. Route 85|85]] and [[U.S. Route 281|281]] run north and south. South Dakota contains two [[National Scenic Byway]]s. The [[Peter Norbeck]] National Scenic Byway is located in the Black Hills, while the Native American Scenic Byway runs along the Missouri River in the north-central part of the state. Other scenic byways include the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, and the Wildlife Loop Road Scenic Byway.<ref>{{cite web | title = South Dakota | publisher = National Scenic Byways Program | accessdate = 2008-01-24 | url = http://www.byways.org/explore/states/SD/}}</ref> Railroads have played an important role in South Dakota transportation since the mid nineteenth century. Historically, the [[Milwaukee Road]] and the [[Chicago and North Western Railway|Chicago & North Western]] were the state's largest railroads, and the Milwaukee's east-west transcontinental line traversed the northern tier of the state. Some 4,420 miles of railroad track were built in South Dakota during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but only 1,839 miles of railroad are currently operational.<ref>{{cite web | title = Basic Mileage | publisher = South Dakota Department of Transportation | accessdate = 2007-09-03 | url = http://www.sddot.com/fpa/railroad/basic.asp}}</ref> [[BNSF Railway]] is currently the largest railroad in South Dakota, primarily operating former Milwaukee Road trackage; the [[Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad]] is the state's other major carrier, mostly operating former Chicago & North Western trackage.<ref>{{cite web | title = BNSF | publisher = South Dakota Department of Transportation | accessdate = 2007-09-03 | url = http://www.sddot.com/fpa/railroad/carr_bnsf.asp}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = DM&E | publisher = South Dakota Department of Transportation | accessdate = 2007-09-03 | url = http://www.sddot.com/fpa/railroad/carr_dme.asp}}</ref> Rail transportation in the state is confined only to freight, however, as South Dakota is one of the few states without any [[Amtrak]] service.<ref>{{cite web | title = Planning a Trip | publisher = www.frommers.com | accessdate = 2007-09-03 | url = http://www.frommers.com/destinations/southdakota/3738010002.html}}</ref> South Dakota's largest commercial airports are located at [[Sioux Falls Regional Airport|Sioux Falls]] and [[Rapid City Regional Airport|Rapid City]]. Several other cities in the state also have commercial air service, some of which is subsidized by the [[Essential Air Service]] program. South Dakota [[license plate]]s are numbered by [[county]], with the first digit referring to the county of origin. Such a [[numbering system]] allows one to easily determine where the vehicle was registered. Counties 1&ndash;9 are ranked by 1950 population, and counties 10&ndash;64 are numbered alphabetically.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.15q.net/sd.html|title=South Dakota License Plates, 1969-present|last=Nicholson|first=David|date=2008|publisher=15q.net|accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref> {{seealso|List of South Dakota railroads|List of South Dakota numbered highways|Category:Transportation in South Dakota}} ==Law and government== {{main|Government of South Dakota}} [[Image:PierreSD Capitol.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[South Dakota State Capitol]] in [[Pierre, South Dakota|Pierre]]]] The state of South Dakota has three branches of government: [[executive (government)|executive]], [[legislature|legislative]], and [[judiciary|judicial]]. The current [[Governor of South Dakota|governor]] is [[M. Michael Rounds]]. Currently, there are 35 members of the state Senate and 70 members of the House of Representatives. The state is composed of 35 legislative districts. Voters elect one senator and two representatives from each district. The legislature meets for a thirty day session starting on the second Tuesday in January, and also if the governor calls a special session. The state Supreme Court is the highest court in South Dakota and the court of last resort for state appellate actions. The chief justice and four justices comprise the South Dakota Supreme Court. South Dakota is divided into seven judicial circuits. There are 39 circuit judges serving in the seven circuits. [[Circuit court]]s are the state's trial courts of general jurisdiction. There are 12 full-time and three part-time [[Limited jurisdiction|magistrate judge]]s in the seven circuits. [[Limited jurisdiction|Magistrate court]]s assist the circuit courts in disposing of [[misdemeanor]] criminal cases and minor civil actions. These courts of limited jurisdiction make the judicial system more accessible to the public by providing a means of direct court contact for the average citizen. South Dakota is represented at the federal level by [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Tim Johnson (politician)|Tim Johnson]], Senator [[John Thune]], and [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Stephanie Herseth Sandlin]].<ref>{{cite web | title = How to reach South Dakota's Congressional Delegation | publisher = State of South Dakota | accessdate = 2008-01-22 | url = http://www.state.sd.us/state/fed/contact.htm}}</ref> ===Politics=== {| align="right" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |+ '''Presidential elections results''' |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Year ! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''59.91%''' ''232,584 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|38.44% ''149,244 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''60.3%''' ''190,700 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|37.56% ''118,804 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''46.49%''' ''150,543 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|43.03% ''139,333 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''40.66%''' ''136,718 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|37.14% ''124,888 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.85%''' ''165,415 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|46.51% ''145,560 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1984|1984]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''63.0%''' ''200,267 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|36.53% ''116,113 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1980|1980]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''60.53%''' ''198,343 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|31.69% ''103,855 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1976|1976]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''50.39%''' ''151,505 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|48.91% ''147,068 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1972|1972]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.15%''' ''166,467 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|45.52% ''139,945 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1968|1968]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''53.27%''' ''149,841 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.96% ''118,023 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1964|1964]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|44.39% ''130,108 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.61%''' ''163,010 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1960|1960]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''58.21%''' ''178,417 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.79% ''128,070 |- |} South Dakota politics are generally dominated by the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], and the state has not supported a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] presidential candidate since 1964 — especially notable when one considers that [[George McGovern]], the Democratic nominee in 1972, was from South Dakota.<ref>{{cite web | title = McGOVERN, George Stanley, (1922-) | publisher = Biographical Directory of the United States Congress | accessdate = 2007-10-05 | url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m000452}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Presidential General Election Graph Comparison - South Dakota | publisher = www.uselectionatlas.org | accessdate = 2007-10-05 | url = http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/comparegraphs.php?year=2004&fips=46&f=0&off=0&elect=0}}</ref> In 2004, [[George W. Bush]] won the state's three [[electoral vote]]s with 59.9% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web | title = 2004 Presidential General Election Results - South Dakota | publisher = www.uselectionatlas.org | accessdate = 2007-04-09 | url = http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2004&fips=46&f=0&off=0&elect=0}}</ref> Additionally, a Democrat has not won the governorship since 1978. As of 2006, Republicans hold a 10% voter registration advantage over Democrats and hold majorities in both the state House of Representatives and Senate.<ref>{{cite web | title = South Dakota Voter Registration Statistics | publisher = South Dakota Secretary of State | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | url = http://www.sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/pastelections_voterstats1988-2004.shtm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Official List of South Dakota Senators | publisher = State of South Dakota | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | url = http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2007/senrost.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Official List of South Dakota Representatives | publisher = State of South Dakota | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | url = http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2007/hourost.htm}}</ref> All but one of the current statewide elected officers are Republicans. Despite the state's general Republican and conservative leanings, Democrats have found success in various state-wide elections, most notably in those involving South Dakota's congressional representatives in [[Washington D.C.|Washington]]. Two of the three current members of the state's congressional delegation are Democrats, and until his electoral defeat in 2004 Senator [[Tom Daschle]] served as both senator for South Dakota as well as the senate minority (briefly majority) leader.<ref>{{cite web | title = Daschle Loses S.D. Senate Seat to Thune | publisher = www.foxnews.com | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137397,00.html}}</ref> Contemporary political issues in South Dakota include the costs and benefits of the [[South Dakota Lottery|state lottery]], South Dakota's relatively low rankings in education spending (particularly teacher pay), and recent [[Women's Health and Human Life Protection Act|legislative attempts]] to ban [[abortion]] in the state.<ref>{{cite web | title = South Dakota Lottery History | publisher = South Dakota Lottery | accessdate = 2007-04-09 | url = http://www.sdlottery.org/history_of_lottery.asp}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Quality Counts 2000 - Who Should Teach? | publisher = Education Week | accessdate = 2007-04-09 | url = http://counts.edweek.org/sreports/qc00/templates/state-policy.cfm?slug=sd-up.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = South Dakota Abortion Ban Rejected | publisher = USA Today | date = [[2006-11-08]] | url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2006/SD/2006-11-08-abortion-ban_x.htm | accessdate = 2006-06-30 }}</ref> {{Seealso|Governor of South Dakota|List of United States Senators from South Dakota}} ==Notable cities and towns== {| class="wikitable" align=right |+Ten Largest<ref name=10largestsd>{{cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-46.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for all Incorporated Places in South Dakota: 2000-2007 | publisher = United States Census Bureau | accessdate = 2008-07-15}}</ref> Cities By 2007 Population |- | '''Sioux Falls''' || 151,505 |- | '''Rapid City''' || 63,997 |- | '''Aberdeen''' || 24,410 |- | '''Watertown''' || 20,530 |- | '''Brookings''' || 19,463 |- | '''Mitchell''' || 14,832 |- | '''Pierre''' || 14,032 |- | '''Yankton''' || 13,643 |- | '''Huron''' || 10,902 |- |'''Vermilion''' || 10,251 |} [[Image:DSCF0643.JPG|thumb|left|200px|'''Aberdeen''']] [[Image:Downtown Sioux Falls 61.jpg|thumb|left|200px|'''Sioux Falls''', largest city]] *[[Aberdeen, South Dakota|Aberdeen]] - 3rd largest city - [[Northern State University]] *[[Belle Fourche, South Dakota|Belle Fourche]] - geographic center of the nation *[[Brookings, South Dakota|Brookings]] - 5th largest city & [[South Dakota State University]] *[[Deadwood, South Dakota|Deadwood]] - historic [[Black Hills]] town now home to many [[casino]]s *[[De Smet, South Dakota|De Smet]] - childhood home of [[Laura Ingalls Wilder]] and the birthplace of author [[Rose Wilder Lane]] *[[Huron, South Dakota|Huron]] - South Dakota State Fair *[[Lead, South Dakota|Lead]] - [[Homestake Experiment]] and [[Homestake Mine (South Dakota)|Homestake Mine]] *[[Madison, South Dakota|Madison]]- [[Dakota State University]] *[[Mitchell, South Dakota|Mitchell]] - [[Corn Palace]] *[[Pierre, South Dakota|Pierre]] - State Capital *[[Rapid City, South Dakota|Rapid City]] - 2nd largest city and [[South Dakota School of Mines and Technology]] *[[Sioux Falls, South Dakota|Sioux Falls]] - Largest City *[[Spearfish, South Dakota|Spearfish]] - [[Black Hills State University]] *[[Sturgis, South Dakota|Sturgis]] - [[Sturgis Motorcycle Rally]] *[[Vermillion, South Dakota|Vermillion]] - [[University of South Dakota]] *[[Watertown, South Dakota|Watertown]] - 4th largest city *[[Yankton, South Dakota|Yankton]] - original capital of Dakota Territory {{see|List of cities in South Dakota|List of South Dakota counties}} ==Education== As of 2006, South Dakota has a total primary and secondary school enrollment of 136,872, with 120,278 of these students being educated in the public school system.<ref>{{cite web | title = Student Demographics | publisher = South Dakota Department of Education | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | url = http://www.doe.sd.gov/publications/annualreport/2007/studentdeomographics/k12enrollment.asp}}</ref> There are 703 public schools in 168 school districts, giving South Dakota the highest number of schools per capita in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | title = School System By Type (2006-07) | publisher = South Dakota Department of Education | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | url = http://www.doe.sd.gov/publications/annualreport/2007/schoolsandpersonnel/type.asp}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Schools & Personnel | publisher = South Dakota Department of Education | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | url = http://www.doe.sd.gov/publications/annualreport/2007/schoolsandpersonnel/numberofSD.asp}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Number of Schools (most recent) (per capita) | publisher = www.statemaster.com | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | url = http://www.statemaster.com/graph/edu_ele_sec_tot_num_of_sch_percap-total-number-schools-per-capita}}</ref> The current high school graduation rate is 89.9%, and the average [[ACT (examination)|ACT]] score is 21.8, slightly above the national average of 21.1.<ref>{{cite web | title = South Dakota Graduation Rate | publisher = South Dakota Department of Education | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | url = http://www.doe.sd.gov/publications/annualreport/2007/studentachievement/Graduationrate.asp}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = ACT Average Composite Score South Dakota vs. National | publisher = South Dakota Department of Education | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | url = http://www.doe.sd.gov/publications/annualreport/2007/studentachievement/ACT.asp}}</ref> South Dakota's average public school teacher salary of $34,040, compared to a national average of $47,674, is the lowest in the nation.<ref>{{cite web | title = Teachers Take "Pay Cut" As Inflation Outpaces Salaries | publisher = National Education Association | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | url = http://www.nea.org/newsreleases/2006/nr061114.html}}</ref> The [[South Dakota Board of Regents]], whose members are appointed by the governor, controls the six public universities in the state. [[South Dakota State University]], in [[Brookings, South Dakota|Brookings]], is the largest university in the state, with an enrollment of 11,377.<ref name=SDuniversities>{{cite web | title = Doing Business in South Dakota (Public Universities) | publisher = Governor's Office of Economic Development | accessdate = 2007-11-26 | url = http://www.sdreadytowork.com/dbisd/education.asp}}</ref> The [[University of South Dakota]], in [[Vermillion, South Dakota|Vermillion]], is the state's oldest university, and has the only schools of law and medicine in South Dakota. Rapid City's [[South Dakota School of Mines and Technology]] is renowned as a prestigious engineering school and is the only school in the state to feature [[geology]]. South Dakota also has several private universities, the largest of which is [[Augustana College (South Dakota)|Augustana College]] in Sioux Falls.<ref name=SDuniversities/> {{Seealso|List of colleges and universities in South Dakota|List of high schools in South Dakota}} ==Miscellaneous topics== {{Trivia|date=August 2007}} South Dakota is home to the largest naturally heated indoor swimming pool in the world. Evans Plunge, heated from natural mineral springs, is in [[Hot Springs, South Dakota|Hot Springs]]. The [[Black Hills]] of South Dakota was one of the sites considered for the permanent home of the [[United Nations]]. South Dakota has the largest U.S. population of [[Hutterites]], who originally emigrated from Ukraine in 1874, left en masse for Canada in 1918 following persecution over their pacifist religious beliefs, and partially returned in the 1930s. The largest and most complete fossil of ''[[Tyrannosaurus|Tyrannosaurus rex]]'' ever found was uncovered near [[Faith, South Dakota|Faith]] in 1990. Named "[[Tyrannosaurus|Sue]]," the remains are over 90% complete and are currently on display at the [[Field Museum of Natural History]] in [[Chicago]]. The 1990 movie ''[[Dances with Wolves]]'' directed by and starring [[Kevin Costner]] as Lieutenant John Dunbar was filmed almost entirely in South Dakota. Three [[United States Navy|US Navy]] ships have been named [[USS South Dakota|USS ''South Dakota'']] in honor of the state. Five of South Dakota's counties lie entirely within [[Indian reservation]]s. They are: [[Corson County, South Dakota|Corson]], [[Dewey County, South Dakota|Dewey]], [[Shannon County, South Dakota|Shannon]], [[Todd County, South Dakota|Todd]], and [[Ziebach County, South Dakota|Ziebach]]. [[Pierre, South Dakota|Pierre]] is the second-smallest (in terms of population) state capital; only [[Montpelier, Vermont]], has fewer people. ===State symbols=== Some of South Dakota's [[List of South Dakota state symbols|official state symbols]] include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.state.sd.us/state/sdsym.htm | title = Signs and Symbols of South Dakota | publisher = State of South Dakota | accessdate = 2008-01-03}}</ref> [[Image:South Dakota quarter, reverse side, 2006.jpg|right|thumb|140px|South Dakota [[state quarter]]]] :'''[[List of U.S. state birds|State bird]]:''' Ring-neck [[common pheasant|Pheasant]] :'''[[List of U.S. state flowers|State flower]]:''' American [[Pasque flower]] :'''[[List of U.S. state trees|State tree]]:''' Black Hills [[Spruce]] : '''[[List of U.S. state nicknames|State nicknames]]:''' [[Mount Rushmore]] State (official), [[Coyote]] state & [[Sunlight|Sunshine]] state (both unofficial) : '''[[List of U.S. state mottos|State motto]]:''' "Under God, the people rule" : '''[[List of U.S. state slogans|State slogan]]:''' "Great Faces. Great Places." :'''[[List of U.S. state minerals, rocks, stones and gemstones|State mineral]]:''' Rose [[quartz]] :'''[[List of U.S. state insects|State insect]]:''' [[Western honey bee|Honey bee]] - ''Apis mellifera'' L. :'''[[List of U.S. state animals|State animal]]:''' [[Coyote]] :'''[[List of U.S. state fish|State fish]]:''' [[Walleye]] :'''[[List of U.S. state minerals, rocks, stones and gemstones|State gemstone]]:''' [[Fairburn, South Dakota|Fairburn]] [[agate]] :'''State jewelry''': Black Hills Gold :'''State dessert:''' [[Kuchen]] :'''[[List of U.S. state beverages|State drink]]:''' [[Milk]] :'''State bread:''' [[Fry bread]] :'''[[List of U.S. state grasses|State grass]]:''' [[Wheat grass|Western Wheat grass]] :'''[[List of U.S. state sports|State sport]]:''' [[Rodeo]] :'''[[List of U.S. state songs|State song]]:''' "[[Hail, South Dakota!]]" :'''[[List of U.S. state fossils|State fossil]]:''' [[Triceratops]] :'''[[List of U.S. state soils|State soil]]:''' [[Houdek (soil)|Houdek loam]] ===Famous South Dakotans=== {{col-begin}} {{col-1-of-4}} *[[James Abourezk|Senator James Abourezk]] *[[Sparky Anderson]] *[[Catherine Bach]] *[[Bob Barker]] *[[L. Frank Baum]] *[[Gutzon Borglum]] *[[Tom Brokaw]] *[[Seth Bullock]] *[[Dave Collins]] *[[Shawn Colvin]] *[[Tom Daschle]] *[[Pete Dexter]] *[[Harvey Dunn]] *[[Mark Ellis (baseball)|Mark Ellis]] *[[Billy Etbauer]] *[[Myron Floren]] {{col-2-of-4}} *[[Joe Foss]] *[[Terry Francona]] *[[Mary GrandPre]] *[[Chad Greenway]] *[[Becky Hammon]] *[[Joseph Hansen (writer)|Joseph Hansen]] *[[Mary Hart]] *[[Wild Bill Hickok]] *[[Crazy Horse]] *[[Oscar Howe]] *[[Hubert Humphrey]] *[[Calamity Jane]] *[[Bill Janklow]] *[[David C. Jones]] *[[Nicky Katt]] *[[Cheryl Ladd]] {{col-3-of-4}} *[[Ernest Orlando Lawrence]] *[[Frank Leahy]] *[[Brock Lesnar]] *[[Lawrence Lessig]] *[[George McGovern]] *[[Russell Means]] *[[Mike Miller (basketball)|Mike Miller]] *[[Vernon C. Miller]] *[[Billy Mills]] *[[Al Neuharth]] *[[Pat O'Brien (television)|Pat O'Brien]] *[[Gary Owens]] *[[James "Scotty" Philip]] *[[Eric Piatkowski]] *[[Dorothy Provine]] *[[Rain-in-the-Face]] {{col-4-of-4}} *[[Red Cloud]] *[[Terry Redlin]] *[[Joseph Robbie]] *[[Sitting Bull]] *[[David Soul]] *[[The Spill Canvas]] *[[Jess Thomas]] *[[Casey Tibbs]] *[[Norm Van Brocklin]] *[[Mamie Van Doren]] *[[Thomas Vanek]] *[[Adam Vinatieri]] *[[Abby Whiteside]] *[[Laura Ingalls Wilder]] *[[James Edward Zimmerman]] *[[Korczak Ziółkowski]] {{col-end}} ==See also== *[[List of South Dakota-related topics]] <!-- {{portal|South Dakota|Flag of South Dakota.svg|left=yes}} --> {{clear}} <!-- Please place links to all topics directly related to the State of South Dakota in the [[List of South Dakota-related topics]] --> ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks}} *[http://www.sd.gov/ Official website of State of South Dakota] *[http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/South_Dakota South Dakota State Databases] - Annotated list of searchable databases produced by South Dakota state agencies and compiled by the Government Documents Roundtable of the American Library Association. *[http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=SD Energy Profile for South Dakota] *[http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=SD USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of South Dakota] *[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/46000.html U.S. Census Bureau] *[http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/SD.htm South Dakota State Facts] *[http://www.sdshspress.com/ South Dakota State Historical Society Press] Books and journals published by the State Historical Society {{-}} {{South Dakota|expand}} {{United States}} {{US Midwest}} {{coor title d|44.5|N|100|W|region:US-SD_type:state}} [[Category:South Dakota|*]] [[Category:States of the United States]] [[Category:1889 establishments]] [[af:Suid-Dakota]] [[ang:Sūþ Dacōta]] [[ar:داكوتا الجنوبية]] [[frp:Dakota du Sud]] [[ast:Dakota del Sur]] [[az:Cənubi Dakota]] [[bn:সাউথ ডাকোটা]] [[zh-min-nan:South Dakota]] [[be:Штат Паўднёвая Дакота]] [[be-x-old:Паўднёвая Дакота]] [[bs:South Dakota]] [[br:South Dakota]] [[bg:Южна Дакота]] [[ca:Dakota del Sud]] [[cv:Кăнтăр Дакота]] [[cs:Jižní Dakota]] [[cy:De Dakota]] [[da:South Dakota]] [[de:South Dakota]] [[et:Lõuna-Dakota]] [[es:Dakota del Sur]] [[eo:Suda Dakoto]] [[eu:Hego Dakota]] [[fa:داکوتای جنوبی]] [[fo:South Dakota]] [[fr:Dakota du Sud]] [[fy:Súd Dakota]] [[ga:Dakota Theas]] [[gv:Dakota Yiass]] [[gd:South Dakota]] [[gl:Dacota do Sur]] [[ko:사우스다코타 주]] [[haw:Kakoka Hema]] [[hy:Հարավային Դակոտա]] [[hr:Južna Dakota]] [[io:Suda-Dakota]] [[bpy:সাউথ ডাকোটা]] [[id:South Dakota]] [[ik:South Dakota]] [[os:Хуссар Дакотæ]] [[is:Suður-Dakóta]] [[it:Dakota del Sud]] [[he:דקוטה הדרומית]] [[pam:South Dakota]] [[ka:სამხრეთი დაკოტა]] [[kw:Dakota Dheghow]] [[ht:Dakota disid]] [[ku:South Dakota]] [[lad:Dakota del Sur]] [[la:Dacota Meridionalis]] [[lv:Dienviddakota]] [[lt:Pietų Dakota]] [[lij:Dakota do Sud]] [[hu:Dél-Dakota]] [[mk:Јужна Дакота]] [[mi:South Dakota]] [[mr:साउथ डकोटा]] [[ms:Dakota Selatan]] [[nl:South Dakota]] [[ja:サウスダコタ州]] [[no:Sør-Dakota]] [[nn:Sør-Dakota]] [[oc:Dakòta del Sud]] [[uz:Janubiy Dakota]] [[pms:Dakota dël Sud]] [[nds:Süüd-Dakota]] [[pl:Dakota Południowa]] [[pt:Dacota do Sul]] [[ro:South Dakota (stat SUA)]] [[ru:Южная Дакота]] [[sq:South Dakota]] [[simple:South Dakota]] [[sk:Južná Dakota]] [[sl:Južna Dakota]] [[sr:Јужна Дакота]] [[fi:Etelä-Dakota]] [[sv:South Dakota]] [[ta:தென் டகோட்டா]] [[th:มลรัฐเซาท์ดาโคตา]] [[vi:Nam Dakota]] [[tr:Güney Dakota]] [[uk:Південна Дакота]] [[ur:جنوبی ڈکوٹا]] [[vo:South Dakota]] [[yi:סאוט-דעקאטע]] [[diq:South Dakota]] [[bat-smg:Pėitu Dakota]] [[zh:南達科他州]]