North Dakota may span some 44,000,000 acres but about 40,000,000
of these are farmlands. While miles of farms are covered with wheat,
barley, and sunflowers, the state also has 60 wildlife refuges, 18
state parks, and 56 state historic sites. Not even the cities
encroach on the open feel--the tallest structure in the state is a
19-story capitol building built in 1934. Throughout North Dakota,
there is no shortage of wide-open space to explore, abundant
wildlife to photograph, and historical landmarks to visit.
North Dakota can be broken up into four distinct regions: the
West, the Lakes and Gardens, the Coteaus and Prairies, and the
Valley.
The West shares many of the characteristics of South Dakota,
including a strong Native American heritage, the Badlands, and
historic sights dating back to the adventures of Lewis and Clark.
The Lakes and Gardens region is as lovely as its name implies,
with gorgeous waterways and lakes with forested shores. The
International Peace Garden is an extravaganza of botanic gardens
that cross the border and celebrate the peaceful alliance between
Canada and the United States.
The Coteaus and Prairies encompass the northern reaches of the
Great Plains but there are also many wetlands in the area. Here,
large gorges left by retreating glaciers are now nesting grounds for
more duck and pelicans than anywhere else in America. Huge expanses
of grassy plains and rolling green hills provide gorgeous
recreational areas.
The eastern portion of the state is known as the Valley. Here in
the Red River Valley, retreating continental glaciers became part of
a glacier lake called Lake Agassiz. Eventually, the lake evaporated
leaving sediment that became rich, fertile soil ideal for
cultivation--North Dakota currently produces 80 percent of all durum
wheat in the United States. The natural wonders of the area include
the Pembina Gorge, the historic charm of Bonanzavile, USA, and the
nature preserves in Icelandic State Park.
Wherever you wander in North Dakota, you are sure to encounter
more natural beauty than manmade constrictions. With a small
population and so much open space, North Dakota is sure to entice
your pioneer spirit and need for adventure.
