South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Minnesota to the east, Iowa to the southeast, Nebraska to the south, Wyoming to the west, and Montana to the northwest. South Dakota is the seventeenth largest state in the United States, with an area of 77,116 square miles, and the fifth least populous state, with a population of 884,659 as of 2019.
The history of South Dakota is a long and varied one, stretching back thousands of years. The first inhabitants of the area were Native American tribes, including the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho. These tribes lived in the area for centuries, hunting, fishing, and gathering food.
The first Europeans to explore the area were French fur traders, who arrived in the late 17th century. They established trading posts and forts in the area, and began trading with the Native Americans. The area was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and was officially organized as part of the Dakota Territory in 1861.
In 1889, the Dakota Territory was divided into two separate territories, North Dakota and South Dakota. The two territories were admitted to the Union as the 39th and 40th states in 1889.
The early years of South Dakota's statehood were marked by rapid growth and development. The Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged settlers to move to the area, and the railroads began to expand, connecting the state to the rest of the country. The gold rush of 1874 brought thousands of miners to the Black Hills, and the discovery of gold in the area led to a boom in the state's economy.
The early 20th century saw the development of the state's agricultural industry, as well as the growth of its tourism industry. The state's economy was further bolstered by the construction of the Missouri River dams in the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, South Dakota is a thriving state with a diverse economy. Agriculture is still a major part of the state's economy, and the state is also home to a thriving tourism industry. The state is also home to several major universities, including the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
South Dakota has a rich and varied history, and its people have played an important role in the development of the United States. From its early days as part of the Dakota Territory to its modern-day status as a thriving state, South Dakota has a long and fascinating history that is worth exploring.