Geographically, South Dakota is divided into two different halves by the Mississippi, which are also in two different time zones (Central Time Zone east of the river – Mountain Time Zone west of the river). West of the Mississippi is the prairie, in the rainier east there are large farms that grow corn and wheat and grow grass seeds. The river itself is dammed several times into long, narrow lakes.
According to abbreviationfinder, the vastness of the state, reminiscent of the origins of North America, with the sea of waist-high grass and numerous sights attract millions of visitors every year. It is the country where the film “Dances with Wolves” was shot.
Climate and Weather
South Dakota’s climate is continental with fairly extreme temperature changes between summer and winter. The average temperature in January is between -10 ° C and -15 ° C, while the average temperature in July is between 20 ° C and 25 ° C.
Rainfall is highest during the summer months from May to September and there is little rain in winter. On average there is about 640 mm of rain in the southeast and about 380 mm in the northwest. Winter has little snow, but snowstorms occur with a certain regularity. The eastern part of the state is quite humid in summer, while semi-arid conditions prevail in the west.
Celebrations and events
The Laura Ingalls Wilder play is staged each year in the evenings of late June and early July in De Smet, near Brookings, and celebrates the author’s life with chariot rides, stalls and family entertainment.
The Spearfish Festival in the park takes place annually on the third week of July. The festival offers over 100 regional craftsmen an opportunity to exhibit their work.
The Black Hills Powwow (Native American Gathering) and Arts Expo takes place in Rapid City in early July. Here you can see the Sioux tribes with traditional dances, chants and exhibitions of arts and crafts.
Gold Discovery Day takes place annually in Custer on the fourth weekend in July. Here the history of the state’s gold prospecting times is revived.
Every August, Deadwood celebrates its past with the Days of ’76 Festival, a 3 miles (3 miles) parade of pioneer wagons and carriages. There is also a rodeo.
The Oglala Sioux Nations Fair is held every year in the Pine Ridge Reserve in the southern Badlands. It is held on the first weekend in August and features rodeos and powwows.
Information centers
South Dakota State Information Centers are located along Interstates 29 and 90. From mid-May to mid-September, these centers are staffed according to the expected number of visitors. The following overview shows the location of the information center:
- Glacial Lakes / New Effington (south bound only)
I-29 at mile post 250.6 - Whetstone Valley / Wilmot (north & south bound)
I-29 at mile post 213 - Valley Springs (west bound only)
I-90 at mile post 411 - Homestead / Vermillion (north & south bound)
I-29 at mile post 26.6 - Salem (east bound) I-90 at mile post 362.3
Salem (west bound) I-90 at mile post 362.7 - Lewis & Clark / Chamberlain (east & west bound)
I-90 at mile post 264.4 - Medicine Creek / Vivian (west bound)
I-90 at mile post 221.3 - Cheyenne River / Wasta (east & west bound)
I-90 at mile post 98.9 - Black Hills Visitor Information Center (east & west bound)
I-90 at mile post 61 - Tilford (east bound) I-90 at mile post 41
Tilford (west bound) I-90 at mile post 41.2 - Northern Hills / Spearfish (east bound only)
I-90 at mile post 1
According to countryaah, South Dakota has the following main cities:
Pierre
US city (14,095 in 2007), capital of South Dakota, in the central part of the state, on the Missouri, at 440 m asl in the region of the Prairies. Founded in 1880, it became the state capital in 1889. Commercial center (livestock, milk, wheat, corn, fodder). Tourism.
