State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose
State Bird: Western Meadowlark
Origin of state's name: Dakota is the Sioux Indian word for "friend"
Became a State: November 2, 1889 (39th)
State Motto: Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable.
Area: 70,704 sq. mi (19th)
Geographic State Center: Sheridan, 5 miles southwest of McClusky
Highest Point: White Butte; 3,506 feet (30th)
Lowest Point: Red River; 750 feet (45th)
Population: 642,200 (47th)
