Minnesota’s economy relies heavily on its abundance of valuable natural resources. For example, just a handful of square miles in the Vermilion, Mesabi, and Cuyuna ranges in the northern part of the state are responsible for the excavation and exporting of 75% of the United States iron ore supply. If you’re a miner or have aspirations to get into the field, Minnesota is a very solid choice from a career path perspective.
Agriculture is also a major part of Minnesota's bottom line. The Gopher State has a huge export imprint in goods including alfalfa, sugar beets, rye, wheat, and corn. The state also derives a lot of profits from the production and distribution of eggs, milk, butter, green peas, barley, soybeans, potatoes, oats, and various livestock. Minnesota's climate is temperamental with snow and rain and the like, but the soil is rich and fruitful and profitable all the same.
Manufacturing is huge in Minnesota, as well. The Gopher State is one of the top states in the nation for the production of paper products, and factories within the state also turn out large quantities of processed foods, computers, scientific instruments, flour mill products, general machinery, and fabricated metals. With all of this production, it makes sense that Minnesota is considered the trade capital of the Midwest. Cities like St. Paul, Duluth, and Rochester play a pivotal role in the distribution of goods to and from the State of Minnesota.
In addition to all this, tourism brings in millions upon millions of dollars for the state. Minnesota is a paradise for those who enjoy outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, skiing, water skiing, rafting, and the like. It’s also a beacon for the arts with many different community programs, museums, and concert spaces dedicated to the creative mindset.
Other tourist attractions worth your time in the Land of 10,000 Lakes include the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre, the Institute of Arts, Minnehaha Park, the Walker Art Center, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Voyageurs National Park, the Minnesota Zoological Gardens, North Shore Drive, and the epic and entertaining St. Paul Winter Carnival. In short, Minnesota is one of the most underrated states in the nation when it comes to entertainment options.
That's a big reason why Minnesota is near the top of the nation in regards to the standard of living index. It's just a great place to be, and it's even better if you've got a reliable vehicle on your side. Minneapolis has an efficient metro rail system, Amtrak runs through the state, and it's easy to find buses in most bigger and mid-sized communities, but the state opens up thanks to its collection of major interstate highways and byways. Shipping your car to the Gopher State will give you full access to entertainment, outdoor recreation, and some amazing restaurants spread throughout the state.
Speaking of restaurants, Minnesota leans heavily on its Scandinavian and German immigrant roots and your taste buds will be all the better for it. If you’re looking for traditional and updated takes on regional classics such as kransekake, lingonberries, gravlax, rosettes, lutefisk, lefse, and sauerkraut, you’ll be able to find them at countless restaurants both in major metropolitan areas and in smaller towns.
And if you’re in the state for the massive Minnesota State Fair, be ready for all kinds of different deep-fried foods on a stick. Minnesotans love their comfort food and entertainment intertwined, especially considering how often they can be stuck indoors due to inclement weather. When they celebrate, they make sure that there’s plenty of caloric goodness for you to fill your stomach and smile big.
Going back to the entertainment aspect, Minnesota is a haven for sports fans of all ages. The state is home to four professional sports teams in the four major American sports – the Minnesota Vikings (National Football League), Minnesota Twins (Major League Baseball), Minnesota Wild (National Hockey League), and Minnesota Timberwolves (National Basketball Association). There are also professional teams in other sports, minor league teams in a variety of sports, and a really strong in-state legacy when it comes to turning out Winter Olympians.
One thing we haven't mentioned yet is collegiate sports. If you're heading to Minnesota with designs on a four-year degree, the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis has a very storied tradition in multiple sports. They are a regular participant in college hockey's Frozen Four which serves as the national semifinals to determine an overall champion. There are a host of other campuses within the University of Minnesota system, and there are also tens upon tens of other universities, private colleges, and community colleges within the state.
Some of the most celebrated and well-recognized colleges in the state include the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Saint John’s University in St. Joseph, Carleton College in Northfield, Macalester College in St. Paul, the University of Minnesota Duluth in Duluth, St. Olaf College in Northfield, Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud.
And if you're looking to raise a family in Minnesota and are wondering about the public school system in the state, there's one encouraging number to share with you. According to the last United States Census, Minnesota ranked second in the entire nation when it comes to its 91.5% percentage of citizens 25 and older with a high school diploma. The school system is well known for quality instruction and quality results, so it's something to keep in mind if you're considering the Gopher State as your next home.
Now that we’ve given you an inside look at what makes Minnesota so great, it’s time to boost your trivia knowledge about the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Let’s start with a look at the various inanimate and living symbols of the State of Minnesota:
Education
That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Minnesota trivia. We’re here to help you wow your friends, family, and new neighbors in Minnesota with some more intriguing trivia nuggets about the Gopher State:
Did you know that Minnesota's "Land of 10,000 Lakes" moniker is less impressive than the reality of things in the state? The Gopher State has more than 11,000 lakes within its bounds. It's time to start a petition to change the name to the "Land of Over 11,000 Lakes."
Are you at the end of your rope? Head over to Darwin, the home of the world's biggest ball of twine created by a single person. And if you get there in August, you can celebrate "Twine Ball Day" which is all in tribute to the 17,400-pound behemoth. Heck, even Weird Al Yankovic wrote a song called "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" about it.
Are you ready for adventure in one of the most intriguing states in the Union? Shipping your car, truck, or van with Nexus Auto Transport is your ticket to everything that the Land of 10,000 Lakes has to offer. Whether you want to take pictures of every lake you possibly can or you want to grab some sausages and beer in the middle of downtown Minneapolis, a reliable vehicle safely shipped is your best chance of making it happen in Minnesota.
