South Dakota
"Mount Rushmore State; Coyote State"
- Motto
- Under God the people rule
- Capitol
- Pierre
- Name Origin
- From the Sioux tribe, meaning “allies”
- Statehood Date
- Nov. 2, 1889 (40th)
Cities in South Dakota
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Official Symbols
A state's official symbols represent the composition and culture of the land and people who live and have lived here. Below are the symbols of South Dakota along with the year they became official.
| Flower | American Pasqueflower (1903) |
| Grass | Western Wheat Grass (1970) |
| Soil | Houdek (1990) |
| Tree | Black Hills Spruce (1947) |
| Bird | Ring-Necked Pheasant (1943) |
| Insect | Honeybee (1978) |
| Animal | Coyote (1949) |
| Mineral Stone | Rose Quartz (1966) |
| Gemstone | Fairburn Agate (1966) |
| Colors | Blue And Gold (In State Flag) |
| Song | “Hail! South Dakota” (1943) |
| Fish | Walleye (1982) |
| Musical Instrument | Fiddle (1989) |
| Dessert | Kuchen (2000) |
Demographics
- Population Density
- 9.9 people per square mile
Geography and Weather
- Land Area
- 75,885 sq mi. (196,542 sq km)
- Lowest Elevation
- 0 ft (0 m)
- Average Elevation
- 2200 ft (670.56 m)
- Highest Temperature Recorded
- 120°F (49°C) on July 5, 1936
- Lowest Temperature Recorded
- –58°F (–50°C) on February 17, 1936
