South Dakota Blank Map

The landlocked state of South Dakota lies in the north-central region of the United States and is also popularized by the name “The Mount Rushmore State.”The name of the state owes its origin to the indigenous Dakota Sioux tribes, who continue to inhabit certain regions of the state even in the present time.

The boundaries of the state are lined by North Dakota to the north, Minnesota to the east, Iowa to the southeast, Nebraska to the south, Wyoming to the west, and Montana to the northwest. The Missouri River also serves the purpose of dividing the nearby residents into two halves in terms of whether they have settled near the western riverbed or near the eastern riverbed. The state’s economy is largely dependent on the service sector, which also provides the most employment to the residents.

History

The original inhabitants of the region were the Paleo Indians, who sustained themselves on the basis of hunting-gathering. Their disappearance around 5000 BC paved the way for the emergence of new communities. During 500 AD, the Mound Builders community began to explore the region and led a nomadic lifestyle continuously shifting from one place to the other.

The days of the Crow Creek Massacre were tainted with bloodshed, which culminated in the deaths of thousands of the native people. By the 1500s, the Arikara community had settled near the Missouri Valley. The long history of settlements and the development of trade routes brought into existence a phase of exploration.

The exploration that was put forward by the LaVérendrye brothers led to the claiming of Pierre as a part of France. Yet there was an ongoing cycle of transformations that were further brought into the spectrum of reality through the efforts of the Spanish. The invasion of the Spanish people was significant as the entire territory was addressed as a part of Spanish Louisiana.

By the early 19th century, it was the Sioux who had taken up the task and became the majority by replacing the Arikaras. These situations continued till 1802. However, the signing of a treaty in 1803 propelled the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, which included parts of present-day South Dakota. As a part of this agreement, all the territories that were involved became a part of the United States.

Late in the 1930s, severe economic and climatic shortfalls led to recession -like conditions in the state. A term became popularized for this occurrence and came to be known as the Dust Bowl. The harsh winds full of dust dragged away with them the fertile topsoil and ruined the hard work that was ingrained by the farmers. This culminated into a major decline in the population.

Yet there was a glimmer of hope that arose during the Second World War. The need for industrial and agricultural products came to the forefront, and dams were developed to make the use of hydroelectricity common among the masses. The subsequent and timely development of the tourism industry expanded the economic development, and the financial status gained a seat of stability.

Culture

The inherent cultural roots of the state are heavily influenced by its historical past as well as the influence of American traditions, especially following the integration era. Alongside this, the rural, western, and European traditions also set the backdrop for the traditional and cultural advancements that took their natural course. A glimpse of the presence of other cultures apart from the North American culture is visible through the celebration of Nordland Fest, hosted by Augustana College, that is an ode to Norwegian culture and accounts for three days full of festivities.

The region has been a locus that has produced notable artists who have contributed greatly to the advancements in their respective fields. Through his imagination and realistic portrayal of the rural and wildlife scenes, Terry Redlin became a common name in the field of visual arts. The other renowned artists include Harvey Dunn and Oscar Howe, who made significant contributions in the field of illustrations and tribal art, respectively.

Music has also spread its roots in the Commonwealth state, with DeeCort Hammitt coining the official state song “Hail, South Dakota!” The genres of folk, jazz, and rock music have made it large in the sheets of notes.

The works of literature have also played a primary role in preserving cultural history as well as providing a ground to the authors to bring out a realistic view of life in North America. The pens of Laura Ingalls, Charles Eastman, Ellane Goodall Eastman, and O.E. Rolvaag have crafted masterpieces that either reflect or are set upon lives in the state.

The museums that have withstood the test of time and stand strong today depict and contain within themselves artifacts and remnants of the past as well as the art of the present. A range of extraordinary collections are housed at the South Dakota State Historical Society, the W.H. Over Museum of National and Cultural History, the Smith Zimmerman State Historical Museum, and the Ingalls Homestead. Another distinct wonder is found at the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs that provides visitors with a live experience of an active archaeological dig that contains remains of mammoths and other Ice Age creatures.

The state is a home ground to various sports persons who have made it large in the field of national sports. Some names that are etched in the eternal hall of fame include Billy Mills, Mike Miller, Mark Ellis, Becky Hammon, and Brock Lesnar. Lesnar has moved forward to become a heavyweight champion of the WWE, and Mills made his mark in the 1964 Summer Olympics by becoming the only American to win a gold in the 10,000 m event.

Language

English is the most commonly used language among the residents of the state for their day-to-day conversations. The other languages that are brought to occupation include Spanish, Dakota, and German.

Geography

The geographical features of the state are often dependent on a variety of areas that include physical features, presence of hydrological areas, distribution of rainfall, as well as the soil profile. These features are not uniformly spread out but rather differ from one location to the next. Key physical features that are in a class by itself consist of the presence of its own continental divide as well as containing within itself the geographical center of the United States.

The highest point of the state’s terrain is represented by Black Elk Peak, which lies at an elevation of approximately 2207 meters above sea level, which also makes it the highest point in North America situated to the east of the Rocky Mountains. On the contrary, the lowest point is located within the Big Stone Lake that lies approximately 294 meters above sea level.

The Plain region in itself can be segregated into two parts: the Prairie Plains and the Great Plains. The zone of this alteration is located at the brink of the Missouri Plateau. The eastern region lies within the Prairie plains, whereas the western ends are cradled in the Great Plains. These regions are rich in Chernozem soils, or typically black soils, especially the areas near the Prairie Plains, which makes the location ideal for the cultivation of corn and soybeans.

Apart from the Missouri River playing an important role, other rivers that are central to the state include the Cheyenne, Big Sioux, Grand, Moreau, Vermillion, James, and White Rivers. The White and the Cheyenne Rivers mark the boundaries of the Badlands, which is an eroded area full of buttes, divides, and gullies that extend along the length of the Great Plains. The Badlands are characteristic for housing within themselves archaeological remains of the past in the form of fossilized prehistoric animals.

Climatic features vary across different physical regions, though the state mostly experiences a continental type of climate. This is exhibited in the form of cold winter seasons and warm summer seasons. The annual precipitation rests within the range of 15-30 inches, with low rainfall in the arid regions and relatively high rainfall in the mountainous regions. In addition to this, the winter months also experience heavy snowfall ranging from about 20 inches to 100 inches.

Thus, the geography of the state makes it suitable for the cultivation of crops such as wheat and soybeans as the primary crops. The subhumid conditions of the state are also ideal for the growth of thick, tall grasses, which have a developed deep root system to cope with water shortages.

FAQs

Q1: What stands as an ideal period to visit the state?

The ideal time to visit the state is from May to September, during which the sun shines upon the regions and makes it perfect for exploring nearby locations and taking a detour.

Q2: What are some of the popular newspapers that have their origins in the state?

The Dakota Democrat, Argus Leader, Lakota Times, and Rapid City Journal are some of the newspapers that are largely circulated in the state.

Q3: What are some of the key sectors that contribute heavily towards the economy?

The economy of the state thrives mainly on agricultural products. However, the fields of industrial production, mining, and technology are also gaining prominence by contributing their share towards the state’s gross economic production.

Q4: What are some of the species that are endemic to South Dakota?

Along with being home to almost 300 bird species, the state also houses grama, buffalo, and western wheat grasses that are endemic only to the Great Plains.