South Dakota : Factual Information
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Facts Origin of State Name: The state was formerly the southern part of Dakota Territory; dakota is a Sioux word meaning "friend."
Nickname: Mt. Rushmore State or the Coyote State.
Capital: Pierre.
County: 67 counties
Location: 44.372N, 100.322W
Entered Union: 2 November 1889 (40th).
Song: "Hail, South Dakota."
Motto: Under God the People Rule.
Flag: The state seal, centered on a white or light-blue field and encircled by a serrated sun, is surrounded by the words "South Dakota" above and "The Mount Rushmore State" below.
Animal: Coyote.
Bird: Chinese ring-necked pheasant.
Insect: Honeybee.
Fish: Walleye.
Flower: American pasque (also called the May Day flower).
Tree: Black Hills spruce.
Grass: Western wheatgrass.
Gem: Fairburn agate.
Mineral: Rose quartz.
Population: 775,933 as on 2005
Agriculture: Cattle, hogs, wheat, soybeans, milk, corn.
Industry : Food processing, machinery, lumber and wood products, tourism