Twin City on the Mississippi River

According to Acronymmonster, Minneapolis, together with St. Paul, forms the Twin Cities in Minnesota. The two most populous cities in the state face each other on the two banks of the Mississippi River at the confluence of the Minnesota River. About 380,000 people live in Minneapolis and 280,000 in Saint Paul. Originally, people of the Dakota Natives settled in the same place, but they were gradually driven out by fur traders.

Downtown Minneapolis on the Mississippi River

Grain mills and wood processing

The city was fortified by the construction of Fort Snelling. In the middle of the 19th century a railroad connection to Chicago on Lake Michigan was built.

From the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century, grain mills and sawmills in particular shaped the industrial image of Minneapolis. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the population of Minneapolis grew strongly due to predominantly European immigrants. Today, mainly people from Asia and Africa settle in the region. Overall, however, the population of Minneapolis is declining.

Minneapolis in Minnesota

City of Culture in Minnesota

Along with its twin city of St. Paul, Minneapolis has some of the best and most diverse cultural offerings in the United States. Minneapolis in the Midwest of the USA today lives mainly from food processing, the logistics industry and the flourishing financial sector.

Sights in Minneapolis

• American Swedish Institute
• Bakken Museum
• Bell Museum of Natural History
• Basilica of Saint Mary
• Bunker Beach
• Cedar Cultural Center
• Cedar Lake
• Dakota Jazz Club
• Edna S. Purcell House
• F. Scott Fitzgerald House
• Gold Medal Park
• Guthrie Theatre
• Fort Snelling National Cemetery
• IDS center
• Lake Calhoun
• Lake Harriet
• Lake Hiawatha
• Lake Nokomis
• Lake of the Isles
• Lakewood Cemetery
• Minneapolis Aquatennial
• Minnehaha Falls
• Minikahda Club
• Museum of Russian Art
• Nicollet Island
• Northrop Auditorium
• Orchestra Hall
• Orpheum Theatre
• Peavey Plaza
• Saint Anthony Falls
• State Theatre
• Theodore Wirth Park
• The Southern Theater
• Walker Art Center
• Weissman Art Museum
• Williams Arena
• Grain Mill – Washburn A Mill
• Hennepin Center for the Arts
• Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
• Minneapolis Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Depot
• Minneapolis Convention Center
• Minneapolis Institute of Arts
• Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery
• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
• Minnesota Street Car Museum
• Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
• St Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral

Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota

Hiking through the lake country

The Voyageurs National Park is located in the far north of Minnesota – USA – on the border with Canada. Before the arrival of the white settlers, the Ojibwe – Native Americans – lived in this region of America. The name of the Voyageurs National Park comes from the first “white people” in this area of ​​the USA. They were probably hunters and fur traders.

Lakescape in Voyageurs National Park – Minnesota

The Voyageurs National Park was established in 1975. The area of ​​the Voyageurs National Park is 882 km². The nearest major city on the American side is “International Falls”. Every year 200,000 to 250,000 visitors come to Minnesota to discover the national park.

Not just wolves and bald eagles

The nature, the flora and fauna in the national park is extremely worthy of protection. Elk, black bears, wolves and bald eagles are found there. About 240 bird species have been counted in the national park. Due to the different altitudes, diverse plant and animal communities are protected in their respective ecosystems. An important landscape designer in the national park is the American beaver, which adapts its habitat according to its own ideas. Many animal and plant species benefit from the activities of beavers.

Lone pond in Voyageurs National Park

Lakes and wild rivers

The varied natural landscape in the protected area has countless lakes that are connected to each other by waterways. There are about 30 lakes with over 900 islands in the national park. The region is also characterized by swamps, moors and wetlands. The water-rich area of ​​the national park is considered a retreat for many species of animals. Rare orchids can be found in Voyageurs National Park. In autumn, the sparse forests in the national park are full of blueberries. Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can be seen in this region of Minnesota almost year-round.

Highlights in Voyageurs National Park

• Kabetogama Peninsula
• Crane Lake
• Quill Lake
• Ellsworth Rock Gardens
• Rainy Lake
• cruiser lake
• Namakan Island

Hiking and canoeing

Hiking through Voyageurs National Park is extremely popular. The diverse and varied nature offers beautiful views around every bend. A special paradise for hikers is the Kabetogama Peninsula. There are many lakes in Voyageurs National Park.

The waters in Voyageurs National Park are popular with kayakers, canoeists and anglers. In winter there is a lot of snow in the reserve. In addition to cross-country skiing, snowmobile and dog sled rides are very popular. The national park is worth a visit at any time of the year.