North Dakota

All about North Dakota!

by

Hey, everyone!

Most of you all know I write a lot of books that are set in North Dakota. While I was researching my first book, I fell in love with that state and have admired the people and loved the wide-open spaces and rugged climate ever since.

I get a lot of mail asking if I live in North Dakota – even from North Dakotans! It usually surprises people when they find out I’ve never even visited. I really, really want to, though. Some day. Not this year, though.

I know I usually include a farm story on my blog, and I do have some great stories I want to share, but I just released the thirteenth book in my Flyboys of Sweet Water, North Dakota series and today I thought it would be fun to list some cool facts about North Dakota.

  1. North Dakota is home to the Enchanted Highway, which is a collection of the world’s largest scrap metal sculptures. This unique highway is 32 miles long and is definitely worth experiencing. It’s great for all ages, and kids especially love it.
  2. The state capitol is the tallest building in North Dakota
  3. North Dakota is the least-visited state in the US
  4. It’s illegal to go dancing in Fargo while wearing a hat.
  5. North Dakota has the least amount of forest land of any state
  6. The world’s largest buffalo monument is in North Dakota
  7. Milk is the official drink of North Dakota
  8. The largest metal sculpture in the world is in North Dakota
  9. The official dance of North Dakota is the Square Dance
  10. North Dakota produces more honey than any other state
  11. The geographical center of North America is in North Dakota
  12. There are 43 abandoned towns in North Dakota
  13. Over thirty-five thousand men from North Dakota fought in World War I
  14. Most of the pasta in America is made from North Dakota durum wheat.
  15. North Dakota grows more sunflowers than any other state.
  16. Fargo, North Dakota hosted the world’s largest pancake feed in 2008. The town served 34,818 pancakes.
  17. North Dakota took Hawaii’s long reigning title as the happiest state in 2014.
  18. North Dakota has consistently kept at one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country for multiple years now and continues to do so.
  19. The coldest temperature ever recorded in North Dakota is colder than the record low temperature in Nepal – even on Mt. Everest.
  20. There are more registered vehicles in the state than there are residents.
  21. There are also about three times more cows in the state than humans.
  22. English didn’t become the official language of North Dakota until 1987.

How many of those surprised you?

Just for fun, tell me something interesting or unusual or little known about the state/country you live in.

Thanks so much for spending time with me today!