Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos

South Dakota: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Facts

Also Known As Mount Rushmore State
Capital Pierre
Population1 (2020) 886,667; (2025 est.) 935,094
Governor Larry Rhoden (Republican)
Date Of Admission November 2, 1889
U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (Republican) • John Thune (Republican)
State Nickname The Mount Rushmore State
State Motto "Under God the People Rule"
State Bird ring-necked pheasant
State Flower American pasqueflower
State Song “Hail, South Dakota”
Seats In U.S. House Of Representatives 1 (of 435)
Time Zone Mountain (GMT − 7 hours) • Central (GMT − 6 hours)
Total Area (Sq Km) 199,729
Total Area (Sq Mi) 77,116
1Excluding military abroad.

Photos and Videos

South Dakota: flag
State seal of South Dakota
The ring-necked pheasant is that state bird of South Dakota.
The American Pasque Flower is the state flower of South Dakota.
Map of South Dakota showing county boundaries, county names, major cities, and the state capital, Pierre. The map includes surrounding states-North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana-and features a small locator map highlighting South Dakota's position within the United States.
The granite faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved into Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.
Map of South Dakota showing major physical features, including rivers such as the Missouri, lakes like Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe, the Black Hills, the Badlands, and national parks. State boundaries and neighboring states-North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana-are outlined, with a small locator map of the United States highlighting South Dakota.
Aerial view of rugged, undulating ground moraines in the Coteau des Prairies region of northeastern South Dakota, with eroded ridges and sparse vegetation.
Black Elk Peak
A herd of American bison grazes in an open grassy field with scattered trees and forested hills in the background at Custer State Park, Black Hills, South Dakota.
Listen to the discussion about the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota
Follow wheat berries from field to grain elevator as migrant laborers use a combine to harvest the crop
See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Kristi Noem
Kristi Noem
American politician
Mike Rounds
Mike Rounds
United States senator

Related Places

default image
Spearfish
South Dakota, United States
default image
Hot Springs
South Dakota, United States
United States
United States
country, North America
Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls
South Dakota, United States
Wounded Knee Massacre monument
Wounded Knee
hamlet, South Dakota, United States
Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City
South Dakota, United States
South Dakota State Capitol
Pierre
South Dakota, United States
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood
South Dakota, United States
Corn Palace
Mitchell
South Dakota, United States
Custer: 1881 Courthouse Museum
Custer
South Dakota, United States
grave of Sitting Bull, Mobridge, South Dakota
Mobridge
South Dakota, United States
Yankton: Bishop Marty Rectory
Yankton
South Dakota, United States
Center of the Nation Monument
Belle Fourche
South Dakota, United States
Brookings
Brookings
South Dakota, United States
South Dakota, University of: National Music Museum
Vermillion
South Dakota, United States

Related Quizzes

Extruded map of the United States of America with states borders on national flag background. (3-d rendering)
Guess the U.S. State by Its Neighbors
USA, United States watercolor map Illustration in rainbow colors
50 States, 50 Fun Facts Quiz
State capitol building in Austin, Texas.
USA Capitals and Nicknames Quiz
Texas State Capitol building in Austin, Texas. United States
U.S. State Capitals Quiz
Close-up of a weathered, old American flag of the United States of America, used as a patriotic decoration on Fourth of July (Independence Day), Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other national holidays.
U.S. State Nicknames Quiz