Minnesota , upper midwestern state of the United States. It is bordered by Lake Superior and Wisconsin (E), Iowa (S), South Dakota and North Dakota (W), and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario (N). Minnesota is one of the nation's largest producers of iron ore. Methods developed to use lower-grade ores such as taconite have kept production up in spite of the depletion of once rich high-grade deposits. Granite (from St. Cloud) and sand and gravel production are also among the largest in the country. Wheat, once paramount in agriculture, has been surpassed by corn, soybeans, and livestock. The state is also a leader in the production of creamery butter, dry milk, cheese, and sweet corn. By the 1950s manufacturing rivaled agriculture as the major source of income in Minnesota. Major industries in the state produce processed foods, electronic equipment, machinery, paper products, chemicals, and stone, clay, and glass products. Minnesota pioneered the development of computers and other high-technology manufacturing. Printing and publishing are also important. In 1849 Minnesota became a territory. The Missouri and White Earth rivers were the western boundary. A land boom grew as towns were platted, railroads chartered, and roads built. Attention turned to education, and the Univ. of Minnesota was established in 1851. The school, with its many associated campuses, has subsequently exerted and continues to exert a great influence on the cultural life of the state. The building (1851–53) of the Soo Ship Canal at Sault Ste. Marie opened a water route for lake shipping eastward. The Panic of 1857 hit Minnesota particularly hard because of land speculation, but difficult times did not prevent the achievement of statehood in 1858, with St. Paul as the capital and Henry Hastings Sibley as the state's first governor. The population had swelled from 6,000 in 1850 to more than 150,000 in 1857; by 1870 there were nearly 440,000 people. Chiefly a land of small farmers (mainly of British, German, and Irish extraction), Minnesota supported the Union in the Civil War and supplied large quantities of wheat to the Northern armies.

The state is rich in natural resources. It produces more than 75% of iron ore for the nation. Forestry and agriculture still play a vital role in the economy. Farms rank high in yields of corn, wheat, rye, alfalfa, and sugar beets. The factories produce nonelectrical machinery, fabricated metals, flour-mill products, plastics, electronic computers, scientific instruments, and processed foods. The state is also a leader in the printing and paper-products industries. The state has the fifth highest median household income, and the cost of living is below the national average making apartment rentals relatively inexpensive.

Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes. More than half of Minnesota residents live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area which is a thriving area of business and industry. The remainder of the state is referred to as Greater Minnesota and consists of a peaceful land of rivers, lakes, prairies, forests and farms. Whether you want to live in a thriving urban city or in a quiet peaceful town, Minnesota offers apartments for rent. Minnesota is home to The Mayo Clinic, a world-renowned medical practice.

Tourism is a major revenue producer in Minnesota, with arts, fishing, hunting, water sports, and winter sports bringing in millions of visitors each year. Fishing is popular in Minnesota and during the winter ice fishing is popular. Minnesota is first nationally in the sales of fishing licenses per capita. Hunting is another popular activity. Minnesota is home to nine professional sports teams which include the Minnesota Vikings professional football team, Minnesota Twins baseball team, and Minnesota Wild professional hockey team. For those moving to the state Minnesota provides many apartment rentals.

In most surveys Minnesota has remained among the ten strongest states in education. There are many private colleges and universities and community and technical colleges that offer a great education. University of Minnesota is one of the most comprehensive universities. The university is affiliated with the Mayo Foundation for medical research and education at Rochester and with the Institute of Technology, the Heart Hospital (heart treatment and research), and the Mayo Memorial Medical Center at Minneapolis. Apartments for rent are affordable for those on a students budget.