South Dakota is a state situated within the Midwestern area of the United States. It is named after the Dakota and Lakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on the 2nd of November, 1889. The state has an area of 77,116 square miles or 199,730 km2 and a projected population of just over 800,000. Pierre is the state capital and Sioux Falls, with a population of nearly 160,000, is South Dakota's biggest city.
The state of South Dakota shares its border by six other US states: Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Montana and Wyoming. The Missouri River divides the state in two socially and geographically distinct halves. These are presently known to people as "East River" and "West River." Eastern South Dakota is home to most of South Dakota's population, and fertile soil in this particular region is used so as to grow different crops. West of the Missouri, the predominant agricultural activity is ranching, and the economy is more dependent on tourism and defense spending. A group of low pine-covered mountains, the Black Hills, is situated within the southwest region of the state. The Black Hills are sacred to the Sioux. A major tourist destination, Mount Rushmore, is situated there. Other attractions within the southwest include Badlands and Wind Cave national parks, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and historic Deadwood. The state of South Dakota experiences a temperate continental weather condition, with four distinct seasons and precipitation ranging from semi-arid in the west and moderate in the east. The ecology of South Dakota features species typical of a North American grassland biome.
The current-dollar gross state product of South Dakota was $39.8 billion as of 2010, the fifth smallest total state output within the United States. The per capita personal income was $38,865 during 2010, ranked 25th within the nation, and 12.5% of the residents was below the poverty line in 2008.
The biggest economic driver within the state of South Dakota is the service industry, comprising the areas of retail, finance, and health care industries. Citibank, that was the biggest bank holding company within the country at one time, established national banking operations in the state of South Dakota in 1981 to take advantage of favorable banking regulations. Government spending is one more essential segment of the state's economy, providing more than 10 percent of the gross state product. Ellsworth Air Force Base, near Rapid City, is the second-biggest single employer within the state of South Dakota.
Agriculture has historically been a key element of the economy of South Dakota. Even if other industries have expanded quickly during recent decades, agricultural production is still very essential to the state's economy, especially in rural regions. The five most important agricultural products in South Dakota are cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hogs. Industries related to agriculture like ethanol production and meat packing also have a considerable economic impact on the state of South Dakota. South Dakota is the sixth leading ethanol-producing state within the US.