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Table of Contents
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. Dakota came from the Sioux Indian word, which means “to friend”. Today, it’s known as the Mount Rushmore State. See the fact file below for more information on South Dakota or alternatively download our comprehensive worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts
- South Dakota is the home of the Sioux nation, composed of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota tribes. They lived for centuries on the land prior to European contact.
- In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson led the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France.
- By 1875, Deadwood became one of the famous mining towns in the west.
- By 1889, Pierre was chosen as the state capital through a state referendum.
- In 1927, sculptor Gutzon Borglum started working on the 6,200-foot Mount Rushmore. After 14 years, the Shrine of Democracy was completed. The world’s greatest mountain carving featured the faces of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
- In 1876, Wild Bill Hickok was killed in Deadwood, South Dakota.
- On November 2, 1889, South Dakota was admitted as the 40th state in the Union.
- In 1947, the carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial began. Polish-American sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski started the work in honor of Oglala Lakota, Chief of the Native Americans. Once completed, it will be the world’s largest and tallest sculpture.
- South Dakota’s Flaming Fountain and Jewel Cave are some of its natural wonders. Along with Montana, they’re the only states sharing a land border, which is traversed by a paved road. It’s also the home of the largest drugstore in the world, Wall Drug Store in Wall.
- Some famous people from South Dakota are Sitting Bull (Native American chief), Crazy Horse (Native American chief), Billy Mills (Olympic athlete), Hubert Humphrey (U.S. vice president), Oscar Howe (artist), Laura Ingalls Wilder (author), and Russell Means (actor and activists).
- Annually, Clark, South Dakota celebrates the famous Mashed Potato Wrestling Contest. In addition, Mitchell is the home of the Corn Palace, which is made from corn bushels, while Belle Fourche is known as the geographical center of the United States of America.
- Skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus Rex were excavated near Faith, South Dakota. In addition, saber-toothed cats and three-toed horses were excavated in Badlands National Park.
- During WWII, U.S.S. South Dakota became the most decorated battleship.
- Today, it’s home to a population of more than 60,000 American Indian, and the largest producer of honey in North America.
Capital
Pierre
Became a State
November 2, 1887 (40th)
Location
north-central United States
Area
77,116 sq. miles (17th)
Population
814,180 (46th)
Major Cities
Rapid City, Aberdeen , Sioux Falls, Brookings, Mitchell, Pierce
Products
cattle, corn, soybeans, hogs, wheat, meat packing, ethanol produces
Climate
continental climate with four distinct seasons ranging from very cold winters to hot summers
Yearly Precipitation
averages 17 inches
Professional Sports Teams
no professional sports teams
Major Waterways
Cheyenne River, Missouri River, White River, James River
Most Famous Citizens
Tom Brokaw (TV newscaster)
Crazy Horse (Oglala chief)
Sitting Bull (Sioux chief)
Hubert Humphrey (United States Vice President)
State Symbols
Bird – Ring-Necked Pheasant
Flower – Pasque
Animal – Coyote
Tree – Black Hills Spruce
Insect – Honeybee
South Dakota Worksheets
This bundle contains 11 ready-to-use South Dakota Worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about South Dakota which is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. Dakota came from the Sioux Indian word, which means “to friend”. Today, it’s known as the Mount Rushmore State.
Download includes the following worksheets
- South Dakota Facts
- Famous Citizens
- Mapping South Dakota
- Carving Mount Rushmore
- State Symbols
- Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase
- South Dakota Flag
- Sioux Indians
- When in South Dakota
- Anything in SD
- SD Tourism
Link/cite this page
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Link will appear as South Dakota Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 18, 2017
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.