South Dakota Flag
Mount Rushmore
South Dakota became the fortieth state of the United States in 1889. The two states’ names stem from a Sioux word dakota, meaning allies. People first came to South Dakota in search of gold. Then raising cattle became a means of living. Its nickname is the Coyote State, and Pierre is the state capital. Two important attractions are the Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Monument. South Dakota ranks seventeenth in area but is the 5th least populated state. Children can visit the America’s Library site at: South Dakota.
