15 Fun Facts about Minnesota

Before moving to Minnesota, there were only two things I knew about this place:

#1. Long cold winters

#2. Home to Mall of America

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Here are some fun facts I’ve learned about Minnesota:

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1. Minnesota is called the Land of 10,000 lakes, but there are actually 15,291 lakes in Minnesota- more lakes than any other state in the lower 48.

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In order to qualify as a “lake” – a body of water must be 10 acres. So, there are not only over 15 thousand lakes … but COUNTLESS ponds!

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2. Minnesota has more shoreline than California, Hawaii and Florida COMBINED!

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3. Minnesota ranks #1 in the US for fishing licenses and boat ownership. (One boat for every 6 residents)

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4. Minnesota water flows in three directions – north to Canada, south to the Gulf, east to the Atlantic.

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5. Did you ever wonder why the Los Angeles basketball team are the “LAKERS?” Well, they were originally from Minnesota – the land of lakes!

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6. The Minnesota Twins Baseball team was the first team to be named after a STATE and not a city.

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7. Minnesota was the first state to send troops to fight in the civil war.

Minnesota also had the last surviving member of the Union Army – Henry Woolsen – who died in Duluth at age 106.

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8. The Mississippi River starts in Minnesota and runs over 2500 miles down to the Gulf of Mexico.

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9. There is only ONE waterfall on the Mississippi River – St. Anthony Falls, located near Minneapolis.

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This waterfall was originally used to power several flour mills. From 1880 to about 1930, Minneapolis was known as the “Flour Milling Capital of the World.” Here’s a peek into one former mill, now a museum!

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10. Minnesota is #2 in longest life expectancy.

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Hawaii is #1.

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11. Minnesota has the highest turnout of voters than any other state.

It was also the first state to allow voting at age 18.

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12. The state flower is the Lady Slipper. It will die if a petal is plucked from the plant, but left untouched, it will live up to 100 years!

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13. Minnesota has more Bald Eagles than any state in the lower 48.

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I see them all the time and they never cease to amaze me. They are beautiful!

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14. Minnesota has provided more Olympic and pro hockey players than any other state.

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15. Minnesota is a the first state with a “state mushroom” – the Morel.

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My son Paul has been ‘morel’ hunting in the woods. It’s a spring tradition among many Minnesota natives. Have you tried one?

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Here are 3 ‘not-so-fun’ facts that may keep people OUT of Minnesota:

1. Minnesota ranks #5 in highest taxes. (No tax on clothes though, thus, Mall of America)
2. Minnesota’s average winter temperature is colder than Moscow, Russia. Brrr!
3. Minneapolis is further north than Toronto, Canada (see picture below)

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For tips on how to fit in as a Minnesota Noob, click here!

Want to read my Minnesota Bucket list? Click here

Want to read more about Minnesota? Check out this book from Amazon or your local libary.

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What’s a fun fact about where you live? Leave a comment!

Click here to read: What to do and Where to Go in Duluth, MN!

Click here to read: 20 gifts that Minnesota gave the world!

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