Map of North Dakota and Flag | North Dakota Outline, Counties, Cities and Road Map
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North Dakota is somewhat of an elusive state. Compared with larger tourist destination states like California or New York, and given its location and remoteness, many are unaware of the details of the state of North Dakota and why it’s a wonderful place to visit. But did you know that there’s a lot more to North Dakota than meets the eye?
In this article, we’re going to delve into all the details you’ll need to know about North Dakota including its geographic location, what it is famous for, the best city to live in within North Dakota, and much, much more. So if you’re interested in finding out everything you never knew about North Dakota, stay tuned.
Where is North Dakota on the Map?
North Dakota sits on the periphery of the United States, right beneath Canada. North Dakota is in the very middle of the most Northern part of the United States (excluding Alaska), and is surrounded by these three states (with Canada to it’s North edge):
- Montana
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
Because North Dakota is somewhat on the periphery of the main United States map, it’s a bit of a challenge to get to from other places in the United States.
North Dakota is an extremely flat state, topography-wise. Most of the geography consists of rolling valleys and grasslands, but there are ample locations within the state that feature canyons and mountains as well.
Is North Dakota a Good Place to Live?
While North Dakota certainly has a reputation for “being in the middle of nowhere,” don’t let that fool you. North Dakota constantly ranks high on lists of the happiest states in the United States of America and is widely considered by many a great place to live in. Why is that, you ask?
North Dakota provides a quiet life full of nature and community for its residents. You won’t find skyscrapers here- North Dakota is full of small, tight-knit communities of people, many of whom capitalize on the rich geography and ecosystems of the state to live off the land (in fact, food processing is North Dakota’s most important industry.)
Many people are attracted to North Dakota’s ability to provide a lifestyle in which you reap what you sow, know all of your neighbors, and settle down and grow roots. This makes North Dakota a wonderful place to live for anyone and everyone who likes peace, quiet, and nature.
That said, city folk may have a tough time getting used to the way of life in North Dakota.
North Dakota Flag Facts
The North Dakota flag is widely perceived as beautiful and intricate, compared to other state flags that feature distinctive block patterns. Some neat facts about the North Dakota state flag include:
- The flag features a bald eagle with an olive branch and arrows in each of its respective claws
- The olive branch stands for peace
- The arrows stand for war fought by soldiers of North Dakota in the past
- The eagle holds a banner in its mouth that says “E Pluribus Unum,” meaning “many uniting to one,” representative of the United States forming a nation
- The majority of the flag is a deep navy blue but features green, yellow, red, and brown colors as well
What is the Best City to Live in North Dakota?
Contrary to what you may think, the capital is not necessarily always the best city to live in in a state. In our opinion, Fargo, North Dakota is the best city to live in in North Dakota. Fargo has the highest population of all the cities in North Dakota (even more than the capital, Bismarck). It provides an urban getaway for those who are tired of the quiet countryside life.
Thanks to it being a mid-sized college town, some of the great attractions of Fargo include ample cafes, restaurants, modern-style buildings and residences, and has a great education system as well.
As far as work goes, Fargo has a healthy business-based economy that allows eligible residents to find positions at companies within the city.
North Dakota also has a reputation for being traditionalist and conservative. While many areas of the state follow these trends, Fargo in particular is known for being more socially liberal and open-minded than other areas of the state, attracting many youths to the area.
North Dakota has extreme weather wherever you go, and sadly, you can expect this to be the case in Fargo as well.
What are the Best Places to Visit in North Dakota?
North Dakota’s real attraction lies in its nature, and boy is there a lot of gorgeous scenery to experience in North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
One of the most gorgeous national parks in the nation, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is all North Dakota’s. Here, canyon rock formations provide unforgettable vistas of the park, while bison roam free throughout the valleys.
The most common activities to do here include hiking, camping, and simply driving through the park to experience all its glory. If you make your way to this park, bring a quality camera with you- you don’t want to miss any of this beauty.
National Buffalo Museum
For our animal lovers, the National Buffalo Museum of North Dakota provides an educational experience that people of any age can benefit from. It tells the story of the hundreds of thousands of bison that used to roam the open grasslands of America, and the efforts done on the part of the government to repopulate the bison so that they can thrive once again.
Lake Sakakawea
If you’re in the Western part of North Dakota, you can’t miss out on a trip to the state’s largest water reservoir- the massive Lake Sakakawea.
This incredible, huge lake is a tourist attraction for lovers of the outdoors. There’s an opportunity for fishing all year round, and water sports are popular as well, with tourists and residents experimenting with kayaking and motor boating regularly.
The lake is huge, did we mention that enough? It has around 1,500 miles of shoreline. That means you won’t have an issue with privacy while enjoying everything this lake has to offer.
In Summary
The remote state of North Dakota has far more to it than meets the eye. From urban communities like Fargo, the rolling hills and canyons of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the free-roaming communities of Bison in North Dakota, there is something for everyone in this gem of a state.
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