Outline of South Dakota facts for kids

The Flag of the State of South Dakota

The Great Seal of the State of South Dakota

The location of the State of South Dakota in the United States of America

South Dakota is a state located in the middle of the United States. It's often called part of the "Midwest." The state gets its name from the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes who have lived there for a very long time.

South Dakota is a big state in terms of land size. It's the 17th largest state in the U.S. However, it doesn't have many people living there. It's the 5th least populated state. This means there's lots of open space!

South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. It joined the United States at the same time as North Dakota. The capital city of South Dakota is Pierre. The largest city is Sioux Falls, where about 159,000 people live.

Exploring South Dakota's Geography

South Dakota is a U.S. state in North America. It's part of the United States of America. The state is located in the Great Plains region. This area is known for its wide, flat lands.

Cool Places to Visit in South Dakota

South Dakota has many interesting places to explore.

• Historic Places: You can find old towns and important spots.
  • Some places are even ghost towns. These are towns that people used to live in but are now empty.
  • There are also National Historic Landmarks. These are buildings or sites that are very important to the history of the United States.
• Natural Wonders: South Dakota has amazing natural areas.
  • You can visit National Parks. These parks protect beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
  • There are also State Parks. These are great for hiking, camping, and enjoying nature.

South Dakota's Environment and Wildlife

The weather in South Dakota changes a lot. It can be very cold in winter and hot in summer.

• Wildlife: South Dakota is home to many animals.
  • You can see many different birds.
  • There are also various snakes.

Amazing Natural Features

South Dakota has beautiful natural features.

• Lakes: There are many lakes.
• Mountains: You can find mountains in the western part of the state. The Black Hills are a famous mountain range here.
• Rivers: Important rivers flow through the state. The Missouri River is the largest.

How South Dakota is Divided

An enlargeable map of the 66 counties of the State of South Dakota

South Dakota is divided into 66 smaller areas called counties.

• Cities and Towns: Inside these counties, you'll find many cities and towns.
  • The state capital is Pierre.
  • The biggest city is Sioux Falls.

Who Lives in South Dakota

About 814,180 people lived in South Dakota in 2010. The population has grown since then.

South Dakota's Past: A Look at History

The History of South Dakota is rich and interesting.

Important Moments in South Dakota's History

• Early Times: Long before Europeans arrived, Indigenous peoples lived in South Dakota.
• European Exploration:
  • In the late 1600s, the area became part of English territory.
  • Later, in the early 1700s, it was claimed by French explorers.
• Becoming Part of the U.S.:
  • In 1803, the United States bought a huge area of land from France. This was called the Louisiana Purchase. South Dakota was part of this land.
  • The famous Lewis and Clark Expedition explored this area from 1804 to 1806.
• Territory Days: For many years, South Dakota was part of different U.S. territories.
  • It became the Territory of Dakota in 1861.
  • During this time, the American Civil War happened (1861–1865).
• Native American Conflicts: There were conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes.
  • Red Cloud's War (1866–1868) and the Black Hills War (1876–1877) were important events.
  • The Wounded Knee Massacre happened in 1890. This was a very sad event where many Native Americans were killed.
• Statehood: South Dakota officially became the 40th state in the United States on November 2, 1889.
• National Parks Created:
  • Wind Cave National Park was created in 1903.
  • Badlands National Park was established in 1978.

South Dakota's Culture and Fun

The Culture of South Dakota is shaped by its history and people.

• Museums: You can visit many museums to learn about the state's past and art.
• State Symbols: South Dakota has special symbols.
  • The Flag of the State of South Dakota is blue with the state seal.
  • The Great Seal of the State of South Dakota shows farming, mining, and a steamboat.
• Scouting: Many young people are involved in Scouting in South Dakota.

Arts and Music in South Dakota

• Music: South Dakota has its own unique music scene.

Sports in South Dakota

Sports in South Dakota are popular. People enjoy many different sports across the state.

South Dakota's Economy and How Things Work

The Economy of South Dakota relies on different industries.

• Communication:
  • You can find many newspapers.
  • There are also lots of radio stations and TV stations.
• Energy: South Dakota uses different ways to get energy.
  • It's known for its wind power. Wind turbines help create clean energy.
  • Solar power is also growing.
• Healthcare: The state has many hospitals to care for people.
• Transportation: Getting around South Dakota is easy.
  • There are airports for air travel.
  • Railroads help move goods.
  • A network of numbered highways connects cities and towns.

Learning in South Dakota

Education in South Dakota is important.

• Schools: Kids go to schools in different school districts.
  • There are many high schools.
• Colleges and Universities: After high school, students can go to colleges and universities.
  • Two big universities are the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University.