The Twin Cities City

Other then Alaska, Minnesota is the most northern of the states within the rest of the United States. The twelfth largest state in the country is filled with five million people. However, almost sixty percent of the people who live there live within the two cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, hence the nickname The Twin Cities. The rest are spread out throughout the vast amounts of farm and forest land.

The other nickname that Minneapolis has is the land of ten thousand lakes. And while that almost sounds like a hyperbole, it is not. Minnesota actually has more then ten thousand lakes; there are eleven thousand eight hundred and forty two lakes in this state alone. Each of these lakes are not counting in the tiny ponds and running water sources as well, to be considered a lake in this count it had to be more then ten acres in diameter.

The largest number of black wolves in the country, except for Alaska resides in this state. Although most of Minnesota has been damaged by logging and other industries it is still able to support large amounts of bears, elk, moose, and deer. The bald eagle also makes its home in Minnesota.

With this many animals and even more spread throughout Minnesota, there is a vast number of people who choose to hunt. From animals like the small grouse, up to the large black bear, each animal has its own season and special license that hunters must get in order to hunt. Trapping is also popular throughout Minnesota.

With this many lakes it is no wonder that fishing is the most popular form of hunting in Minnesota. The uncommon freshwater fish known as the musky can be found in lakes in Minnesota, this pike cross Godzilla type fish, has been known to get upwards of four and a half feet. That is one very large fish with teeth to be hauling into a boat. Walleye, pike and bass are also found in these lakes, fishing does have separate licenses then hunting.

The beauty of Minnesota comes from the history that can be found there. There are portions of Minnesota that is covered with the Canadian Shield and some of the oldest rocks in the world can be found in this state. Some of these rocks are dated back to over three and a half billion years old, which means they were around almost as long as the planet has been.

Those who enjoy living in this state, have many outdoor options available to them all year. In the summer there is lots of camping, fishing and swimming in lakes. The trails are very well kept in each of the twin cities and its beauty is known throughout the country. In the winter the lakes freeze and hockey seems to be as well known in Minnesota as it is in its’ neighbor to the north, Canada. Tourism in this state centers around a lot of its natural beauty however, there are a vast number of cultural museums and art galleries.