On May 11, 1858 Minnesota became the 32nd State in the US.  The large majority of residents are of Scandinavian and German descent. The state is known as a center of Scandinavian American culture. In recent decades, substantial influxes of Asian, African, and Latin American immigrants have joined the descendants of European settlers and the original Ojibwe and Dakota inhabitants.   A fun note to mention I'm part German.  my last name is German. 
 
Before European settlement of North America, Minnesota was populated by the Dakota people. As Europeans settled the east coast, Native American movement away from them caused migration of the Anishinaabe and other Native Americans into the Minnesota area. Late that century, Anishinaabe, also known as Ojibwe Indians migrated westward to Minnesota, causing tensions with the Dakota people.

The States name comes from the Dakota word for Clear water.  Minnesota is  Known as the land of 10,000 lakes is no exaggeration; there are 11,842 Minnesota lakes. The Minnesota portion of Lake Superior is the largest at 962,700 acres (3,896 km2) and deepest (at 1,290 ft (390 m)) body of water in the state.  The Mississippi River begins its journey from its headwaters at Lake Itasca State Park   * I have been here before *    


The State's gemstone is Lake Superior agate, mostly can be found along the shore of Superior,  Also along dirt roads and rock pits. As they got the rock from Lake Superior and other lakes,  sometimes  the rock can be found along of lake shores.   This rock is looked for by many, even Agate Jewelry is made.  

The state's iron-mining industry was established with the discovery of iron in the Vermilion Range and the Mesabi Range in the 1880s, and in the Cuyuna Range in the early 20th century. The ore was shipped by rail to Duluth and Two Harbors, then loaded onto ships and transported eastward over the Great Lakes. taconite Pellets are used now days, it is taken by train to Duluth, Two Harbors, Sliver Bay or Superior Wisconsin. The Ore is then loaded on to Lake Freighters and shipped to the lower Great Lakes, many which are near Lake Erie  (images of the boats.)   These Boats can care other things. There is Also Bigger ocean going ships   which go through the Soo Locks.
 

The cargo of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, consisted of approximately 26,116 long tons of taconite  pellets.   The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the best-known disasters in the history of Great Lakes shipping. Gordon Lightfoot made it the subject of his 1976 hit song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald".  



the Vermilion Range  between Tower and Ely, Minnesota,  Soudan Mine when is located in this range Minnesota's oldest deepest, and richest iron mine. It is now a State Park and has underground tours . 
 





the Mesabi Range  deposit is located in northeast Minnesota, largely in Itasca and Saint Louis counties.  Iron ore is currently mined only from open pits.  The mined ore is then transported away, primarily by the Duluth, Mesabi and Iron Range Railway.  This is where the Ship Mesabi Miner gets it's name from (image of the mesabi miner)  The world's biggest open pit iron ore mine is the Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine in Hibbing is located in this Range.
 



the Cuyuna Range  It lies along a line between Brainerd and Aitkin. Hill Annex Mine has bus tours, it once had a boat tour but it was closed due to low water level

The whole area is often known as The Range or Iron Range.  Radio stations will say the cover the Whole Iron Range.

A greyhound Bus museum can be found in Hibbing Minnesota. Where you can learn the history of the Bus museum it was started by Swedish immigrant Carl Eric Wickman begins transporting miners from Hibbing, MN, to Alice, MN, for 15 cents a ride. 

In May 14, 2013 MN became another state to legalized gay marriage making it the 12th state 


the culture  
With influences from Scandinavian Americans, Irish Americans, German Americans, Native Americans, Polish Americans and numerous other immigrant groups.  Giving Minnesota Art, music and entertainment diversity 
Minnesota has lots of things to do all year round. Summer bring fishing, and water sports to the lakes, while in the Winter, Ice Fishing and skiing and other out door sports. it was the Minnesota people who started the infamous "Wave" that's done in the bleachers all over the USA.  It was a way to move around and stay warm in those Open Stadiums 

The Winter carnival
  
The nation's oldest and largest winter festival Located in St.Paul. In 1886, Saint Paul was America’s fastest growing city. Growing from 39,000 residents in 1880 to 120,000 residents in 1886. To celebrate their city’s success, Saint Paul business leaders produced the inaugural Saint Paul Winter Carnival, which was held during the first two weeks of February in 1886.   One of the things they have is an Ice Castle  okay so Elsa isn't really make them,  


The Minnesota State Fair, 

advertised as The Great Minnesota Get-Together, is an icon of state culture.  In a state of 5.4 million people, there were almost 1.8 million visitors to the fair in 2009, breaking the previous record set in 2001.[79] The fair covers the variety of Minnesotan life, including fine art, science, agriculture, food preparation, 4-H displays, music, the midway, and corporate merchandising. It is known for its displays of seed art, butter sculptures of dairy princesses, the birthing barn, and the "fattest pig" competition. One can also find dozens of varieties of food on a stick. Which will be talked about in the Cuisine part.      

The Minnesota State Fair is the largest state fair in the United States by average daily attendance.  It is also the 2nd largest state fair in the United States by total attendance, trailing only the State Fair of Texas, which generally runs twice as long as the Minnesota State Fair. it runs from Aug. 21-Labor day making it a 12 day Fair.

The Food

Food eaten here in Minnesota is a mix of things but let;s start with that State fair food
The State fair officers lots of food, you can get almost anything on a stick and/or deep fried.. from fruit to candy bars can be fried and put on a stick. Corn Dogs are a hit at the fair as Over 500,000 of them are Consumed during the Fair
Cheese Curds are a hit too, more than 100,000 pounds of fried cheese curds are consumed during the fair also.
Being a State that has Dairy The "All You Can Drink" Milk stand goes through over 25,000 gallons of milk every year

some of the New food includes Comet Corn. that’s caramel corn plunged in liquid nitrogen.

Other foods include mini donuts, Hotdish on a stick, Corn on a cob, Alligator-on-a-stick, Chocolate covered cheesecake,Deep Fried Candy Bars,Gyros, many more things and you can bet most of this food is on a stick
The Bazaar along with it's stage  Features free music and dance, including Latin, Irish, jazz, Native American, Asian, R&B, African, polka, and more. This Area also has Food  from the area and stuff to by from that place.  *Yes i have asked for SM at the Japan stand, and it was sold out D:  *




we have Hot dishes and fish since there is alot of lakes. Also the typical foods like eggs and bacon, pizza and pasta and many many more

Language 


90.4% of Minnesota's population 5 years and over spoke only English at home. The remaining 9.6% spoke a language other than English at home. Spanish or Spanish Creole addition Indo-European, Asian language or a Pacific Island language at home.  and other Languages. lets not forget the languages spoken by The Dakota and Ojibwa.  
The things we say 
Duck Duck gray duck, ( I heard we are the only ones who say this vs duck duck goose.)  
You-betacha...  (i never use that one XD)
Pop is talking about soft drink.  (I use both pop and soda. sometimes soda pop)
SPACIAL  is used to talk about  A sale or good deal, it's used in stores. 
Server  which means Waitress.  Both are used in here

There is Alot of things to due in Minnesota but we will just talk about a few

Camping 
With 76 state parks,  58 state forests.  State parks have flushing toilets and showers, while State forests have pit toilets (outhouse) and are often more secluded.  there is also national forests and these are rustic.  Some of these State parks do not have camping such as Sudan Mine State park.
There are also private campgrounds.  most are more open and some are made for RVs.



MOA- Mall of America  
when it opened in 1992 it was the 2nd biggest mall in the US.   Its 42 million annual visitors equal roughly eight times the population of the state of Minnesota. There are over 12,000 Mall employs and there are 500 stores in the mall
this mall Contains a theme park Nickelodeon Universe (it use to be camp snoopy)  it has sea life which is Underground.  LEGO store, American Girl Doll store and build a bear are some unique stores.  Bubba Gump shrimp is a resonant based off the movie frost gump it is one of 50 restaurants this including things in the food court.    


The mall's private security personnel were featured in 2010 TLC series Mall Cops: Mall of America. The show is no longer on.

While we learned about the Iron Range and a few places that you can do there, it's time to learn All the things you are do along Lake Superior which is called The North Shore. Great Lake Warriors was a show on History channel in 2012 The show features Calumet Fleeting, Heritage Marine, and Thunder Bay Tug Services. The companies are located in Duluth, Minnesota, South Chicago, Illinois and thunder Bay, Ontario respectively.  

Duluth
This city is the Start of the lake and one of my Favorites.  The ships we talked about that the Beginning can be watched here going under the Ariel Lift Bridge. which was  built in 1905, the bridge to connect Duluth with the thin but long sand spit named Minnesota Point (commonly referred to as Park Point by locals) making it part of Duluth, The Bridge was a Fairy Bride from 1905-1929. Due to alot of Traffic it was upgraded to the bridge that is known as today.   The Horns of the boat and bridge was original used to let the bridge know it wanted to lift before radio communication, now days they honk for tradition and the people. It dose not honk at night... Unless it's fogy.  the horn pattern is unique for duluth








The area by the Bridge is known as canal  park a place that once was industrial area is now lined with Hotels over looking the lake and lots of shops to buy stuff from. The two walkways to the lighthouse that shape the canal  have alot of history themselves

There is Even a boardwalk that goes near the lake   

 Due to the cold lake water Duluth and other cites can be very fogy 



There is also looking for not only agates but "sea glass" this is glass that got broken and when it washes up on shore it is smooth.  Don't forget about the Vista rides which goes out a bit onto the lake a bit.   


If you want wonderful View go up to Enger Tower. This Tower Dedicated by Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha of Norway on June 15, 1939, the tower memorializes Bert Enger, a Norwegian immigrant who found success as a furniture seller and donated the land for Enger Park. In the same park if you go up some stairs this area that is across from the tower is another view  





the Train museum is also a place to visit 




During the summer you can ride on a train. one ride takes you to Two Harbors.  
 

Two Harbors
 is a Stop for boats and the tracks that goes from Duluth to Two harbors for the train ride was once used during the height of mining.  



As you Travel up the north shore you will see Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel. The road once went along side this cliff, in the 90's they blew a hole into the cliff and made it into a tunnel so now the road goes through it.  Same with the Lafayette Bluff Tunnel

Silver Creek  
Lafayette  


Gooseberry Falls State park
The park is located in Silver Creek Township, about 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Two Harbors, Minnesota in Lake County on scenic Minnesota Highway 61. The Joseph N. Alexander visitor center, built in 1996, provides space for interpretive displays, a cinema screening room, and a gift shop. 
 







Split Rock Lighthouse State park
The structure was designed by lighthouse engineer Ralph Russell Tinkham and was completed in 1910 by the United States Lighthouse Service at a cost of $75,000, including the buildings and the land. It is considered one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the United States. It was outfitted with a fog signal housed in a building next to the light tower.

At the time of its construction, there were no roads to the area and all building materials and supplies arrived by water and lifted to the top of the cliff by crane. The light was first lit on July 31, 1910. Thanks to its dramatic location, the lighthouse soon became a tourist attraction for sailors and excursion boats. So much so, that in 1924 a road (now Highway 61) was built to allow land access.




The light was retired in 1969 by the U. S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse is now part of the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. The site includes the original tower and lens, the fog signal building, the oil house, and the three keepers' houses. It is restored to appear as it did in the late 1920s. 
every November 10 the lighthouse emits a light in memory of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald which sank on that date in 1975. On June 30, 2011, the lighthouse was designated as a National Historic Landmark 







This is not the last of what can been seen along the North Shore, Campgrounds and the city of Grand marais with a yummy Donuts shop called Worlds Best Donuts is just the few other things you can do along the shore.




While there is also lots of other things to do, I listed my favorite things.  I hope you enjoyed visiting Minnesota now go and take the Quiz, let hope you paid attention and go have fun with the games.

Now you get to pick up a side bumper for visiting! Which were made by Sailor Mercury   I'll Also post Extra images and videos in the 2nd post 
   

the lighthouse at the end of the Canals 





Sunrise on the lake Superior


you can see Lafayette in the Distance 



night view of duluth from a hotel room

 

Lower Falls of Gooseberry




Bridge announcing that it is going to lift and it rising 




Bridge going down




a video I made from 2010 a tour across the Bridge




another old one from 2010 a tour of enger tower.

bump 2

Swifty I am gonna sound so ignorant but I didn't know really anything about Minnesota, so I've learnt a lot! It seems like it really does gave a lot going on.

The wave is what we call a 'Mexican wave' - how strange that it originated it your state?! =p

That's super awesome like a fifth of your whole population goes to your fair. How crazy. And I really want to visit the Mall of America - it looks amazing!! *-*

Looks like a cool place to visit. ^0^

thanks guys, MOA is a pretty cool place