Minnesota State Fun Facts:
The great state of Minnesota is known as the "North Star State" or "The Land of 10,000 Lakes". The capital of Minnesota is St. Paul, MN. The state bird is the Common Loon. The Minnesota state flower is the Pink and White Lady’s-Slipper. Minnesotan Herb Brooks was the head coach of the "Miracle on Ice" and coached in the NHL after winning 3 NCAA hockey titles at the University of Minnesota. There is nothing on the sporting stage in Minnesota that tops the State High School Hockey Tournament. Minnesota is the home state to such great athletes and coaches as Bronko Nagurski, Dave Winfield, Kevin McHale, Neal Broten, Bud Wilkinson, Herb Brooks, Kent Hrbeck, Tom Lehman and Phil Housley. The greatest athlete to ever live in or play for a college or professional team in the state of Minnesota include Kirby Puckett, Fran Tarkenton, Bronko Nagurski and Harmon Killebrew. Major college programs include Bemidji State University Beavers, University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks, St. Cloud State Huskies. Minnesota’s biggest rival is Wisconsin. Minnesota’s biggest rivalries include Viking vs. Packers and the University of Minnesota vs. Minnesota Duluth. The states major cities include Minneapolis, MN, St. Paul, MN, Eden Prairie, MN and St. Cloud, MN. The Minnesota economy can be divided into two primary categories: Agriculture -- Dairy products, corn, cattle, soybeans, hogs, wheat and turkeys. Industry -- Machinery, food processing, warehousing, printing and publishing, fabricated metal products, electric equipment, mining and tourism. *Source: Sports Illustrated.