Minnesota Tourism and Travel Guide. Minneapolis, St Paul more

Minnesota Tourism and Travel Guide. Provincial Information for Minneapolis, St Paul and More Top Destinations in Minnesota.

Though the State of MINNESOTA is more than a thousand miles from both coasts, it is virtually a seaboard State, thanks to Lake Superior, connected to the Atlantic via the St. Lawrence Seaway. The glaciers that, millions of years ago, flattened all but its southeast corner gouged out more than 15,000 lakes, and major rivers run along the Eastern and Western regions. Ninety six percent of the population lives within fifteen minutes of a body of water, and the very name Minnesota is a Sioux Indian word that means land of sky tinted water.

French explorers in the sixteenth century encountered prairies to the South and, in the North, dense forests whose abundant waterways were an ideal breeding ground for beavers and muskrats. Fur trading, fishing and lumbering flourished, and the Ojibway and Sioux Indians were eased out by waves of French, British and American immigrants. Admitted to the Union in 1858, the new state of Minnesota was at first settled by Germans and Scandinavians, who farmed in the west and south. Other ethnic groups followed, many drawn by the massive iron ore deposits of north central Minnesota, which are expected to hold out for two more centuries.

The State of Minnesota thrives on its natural resources and on a progressive social outlook typified by such Democratic heavyweights as Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale as well as Eugene McCarthy. Current governor Jesse "the body" Ventura, a former professional WWF wrestler, has gained attention nationally and beyond for his unorthodox and loud approach to politics.

More than half of the State of Minnesotas hardy inhabitants, who endure some of the fiercest winters in the country, live in the southeast, around the so called Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. These beautiful and friendly rivals together rank as the Midwests great civic double act for their combined cultural, recreational and business opportunities. Smaller cities include the northern shipping port of Duluth, the gateway to the Scenic Hwy 61 lakeshore drive, and Rochester, near pretty river towns like Red Wing and Winona. The tranquil waters of Voyageurs National Park lie halfway along the states boundary with Canada.

In recent years Minnesota has earned a reputation as the Hollywood in the North, thanks to its increasing use as an affordable, talent rich film making locale. Internationally acclaimed fraternal filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, responsible for the Oscar winning, Minnesota set film Fargo, were raised in the Twin Cities suburb of St Louis Park Minnessota.

Minnesota Tourism
Minnesota Tourism