The Mount Rushmore State

South Dakota is made up of sprawling prairies, primarily in the central part of the state, farmland, lakes and mountains along the west. The Missouri River flows through the central and southeastern part, dividing it into two geographically and socially distinct halves. The two sides are known as the East River and the West River. The major population centers makes up the east side, and the west is mostly made up of ranching and agriculture.

The state has two well known National Parks in Wind Cave National Park and the Badlands National Park. The brightly colored landscape, surrounded by grasslands make up these beautiful parks. Some of the major South Dakota rivers include the Cheyenne, James, Big Sioux, and White Rivers. The eastern part of the state boasts natural lakes, mostly created by periods of glaciation.

Agriculture is very important to the state’s economy, especially in the rural areas. The most important ones are cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat and hogs. Meat-packing and ethanol production has also made a big impact on the economy as it ranks sixth among the leaders of producing ethanol.