South Dakota State Information
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Minnesota and Iowa to the east, Nebraska to the south, and Wyoming and Montana to the west. South Dakota is the seventeenth largest state in terms of land area, with an area of 77,116 square miles. The population of South Dakota was estimated at 884,659 in 2019.
The capital of South Dakota is Pierre, located in the central part of the state. Other major cities include Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings, Yankton, Mitchell, and Vermillion.
South Dakota has a diverse landscape that includes rolling hills and plains in the east and rugged Badlands in the west. The Missouri River forms part of its eastern border with North Dakota and Nebraska. The Black Hills are located in western South Dakota and are home to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Other notable features include Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.
The climate of South Dakota is generally continental with cold winters and hot summers. Average temperatures range from -10°F in January to 85°F in July. Precipitation averages around 20 inches per year statewide.
South Dakota's economy is largely based on agriculture and tourism. Major agricultural products include corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle, hogs, sheep, hay, sunflowers, oats, sorghum grain, dry edible beans and potatoes. Tourism is also an important industry for South Dakota; attractions such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial draw millions of visitors each year. Other popular tourist destinations include Badlands National Park and Custer State Park.
