South Dakota in the United States of America – everything to do with foundation, geography, most important cities, economy and voting behavior since the 20th century.
- The US state South Dakota is part of the “Midwest” region.
- The name goes back to the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Indians.
- The majority of the population will vote for the Republican Party in the presidential election.
Pierre – South Dakota (translated into German also known as South Dakota) is characterized by its wide prairies and numerous natural wonders. The centrally located state has extensive national parks and Indian reservations. One of the attractions for tourists is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial: The impressive monument portrays the four presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
- ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG: Overview of state South Dakota, including major cities and most commonly used abbreviations of South Dakota.
Founding of the state of South Dakota
On November 2, 1889, then US President Benjamin Harrison declared the new state of South Dakota part of the United States of America. This makes South Dakota one of the last regions to join the USA. Shortly after it was founded, Pierre was named capital.
History of South Dakota
Before South Dakota emerged in its current form, it formed the Dakota territory together with North Dakota. One year after the founding, there was a massacre on December 29, 1890, during which the Seventh US Cavalry subjugated the last of the indigenous people who were willing to resist at Wounded Knee. An occupation took place at this location in 1973: the organization American Indian Movement, together with like-minded residents from the Pine Ridge Reservation, proclaimed the Oglala Nation.
Geography – South Dakota in the United States
South Dakota is located in the American Midwest. Neighboring states are North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska as well as Wyoming and Montana. In total, the state consists of 66 counties, such as Minnehaha and Pennington. With its area of 199, 731 km², South Dakota ranks 17th among all US states. The three main regions are:
- eastern South Dakota
- western South Dakota
- Black Hills
South Dakota: The Biggest Cities
The capital, Pierre, has a population of less than 14, 000, making it one of the smallest cities in South Dakota. According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, the most populous city is Sioux Falls with 153, 888 inhabitants. The administrative seat of Minnehaha County is located on the falls of the Big Sioux River – one of the tributaries of the Missouri.
South Dakota Population and Census
The last census from 2010 indicated a population of 814, 180. Meanwhile, this number has increased to around 885, 000 according to estimates. The majority of the residents are white Americans. Due to the many Indian reservations, South Dakota is also one of the states with the highest density of Indians: They make up almost nine percent of the population. Ethnic groups with a small proportion are African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics.
South Dakota and the economy
The main industries in South Dakota are agriculture and the service sector. The main sources of income include cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat and fattening pigs. One of the largest employers is the US Army with Ellsworth Air Force Base. The tourism industry has also developed since the 1960s – the main attraction is the Black Hills mountain region.
Elections in South Dakota
In the elections for presidential candidates, residents of deciding South Dakota mostly for Republicans. For this reason, South Dakota belongs to the “red” states. In the last four presidential elections in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016, the Republican Party won a majority – most recently with its candidate Donald Trump. The next election (“General Election”) is scheduled for November 3, 2020. Also this year, the first polls assume that the Republicans could win again. The forecasts see Trump with around 61 percent ahead of his competitor Joe Biden.
