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How well do you know the Mount Rushmore State? Test your knowledge on South Dakota's iconic landmarks, rich history, unique culture, and stunning natural wonders.
Prairie Visitor 0–4 · Road Trip Explorer 5–8 · Honorary Dakotan 9–10
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Pierre was chosen as the capital when South Dakota gained statehood in 1889. Despite its political status, it has a tiny population of around 14,000, making it one of the smallest state capitals in the country. It sits right on the scenic Missouri River.
Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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South Dakota officially designated 'The Mount Rushmore State' as its nickname in 1980 to celebrate its most famous monument. Before this, it was widely known as the Sunshine State, a title now proudly claimed by Florida.
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Korczak Ziolkowski began carving the monument in 1948 at the invitation of Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear. Though the sculptor passed away in 1982, his family has continued the monumental task, which is funded entirely by private donations and admission fees.
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The Triceratops was designated as South Dakota's state fossil in 1988. This herbivorous dinosaur roamed the region during the Late Cretaceous epoch. Interestingly, the state is also where 'Sue,' the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found, was discovered in 1990.
Photo: Source: Allie_Caulfield Derivative: User:MathKnight, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
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Badlands National Park protects a striking expanse of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires. This ancient landscape contains one of the world's richest fossil beds, where scientists have uncovered remains of saber-toothed cats, rhinos, and ancient horses.
Photo: Martin Kraft, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
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Chislic consists of cubed meat skewered or served with toothpicks, traditionally salted and deep-fried. Declared the official state nosh in 2018, it is a staple at local bars and festivals, particularly around the town of Freeman, which hosts an annual Chislic Festival.
Photo: Gomboc2008, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
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De Smet is known as 'The Little House on the Prairie' town, where Laura Ingalls Wilder's family settled in 1879. Visitors can tour the original surveyors' house, the school, and the homes where her family lived, bringing her classic children's books to life.
Photo: Ross Griff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
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The Homestake Mine yielded more than 40 million ounces of gold during its 125 years of operation. Today, the massive underground shafts have been repurposed into the Sanford Underground Research Facility, where scientists study dark matter and neutrinos deep beneath the earth.
Photo: Schwerdf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
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The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is home to the Oglala Lakota Nation. In December 1890, US Army troops opened fire on a Lakota encampment near Wounded Knee Creek here, killing hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children in one of the darkest chapters of American history.
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The Missouri River acts as a geographical and cultural boundary, splitting the state into 'East River' (characterized by flat, fertile farmland) and 'West River' (known for ranching, rugged hills, and drier climates). Four massive dams along the river create large reservoirs.
Photo: Christopher Michel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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