This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

What word is pronounced the same if you take away four of its five letters?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

The “Peace Garden State” of North Dakota is admitted to the American Union as the 39th state on November 2, 1889.  

Here are a few interesting facts about North Dakota:

• Capital City:  Bismarck
• Most Populated City:  Fargo (over 135,000)
• State Bird:  Western Meadowlark
• State Flower:  Wild Prairie Rose
• Motto:  Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable

North Dakota is known by several nicknames.  It is often referred to as the “Peace Garden State” because the International Peace Garden straddles its border with the Canadian province of Manitoba.  “Flickertail State” makes references to the Richardson ground squirrels, who flick their tails while running.  Inspired by American President Theodore Roosevelt’s time spent in North Dakota, the state is sometimes called the “Roughrider State.”  Lastly, the “Sioux State” honors the Native American people, the Dakota.

Agriculture plays an enormous role in the state’s economy.  It is the nation’s leading producer of sunflowers.  Nearly 50 percent of the nation’s spring wheat is harvested annually in North Dakota.  Most of American pasta is made from the state’s durum wheat.  Nearly two million head of cattle are raised in the state.  The state’s population is just over 800,000.

The territory is added to the United States sovereign lands with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.  The region is home to several Native American tribal groups, which occupy four reservations.  A great deal of contrast exists between the landscapes of the western and eastern borders.  The West is filled with badlands and cottonwood trees.  The East resembles that of Minnesota’s topography and rainfall.

The Red River separates western Minnesota from eastern North Dakota.  Fertile farm land is found on both sides of the river.  Lake Sakakawea on the Missouri River is created in 1954 with the completion of the Garrison Dam.  The lake’s name honors Native American guide, Sacagawea, who assists Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery when they travel through the region.  

North Dakota provides land for one national Park, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  The southern unit is located near the town of Medora, and the northern unit is nearby the community of Watford City.