One of North Dakota’s greatest assets is the quality of life enjoyed by its residents. Strong traditions of caring for our neighbors, building solid communities, and working hard to preserve their quality of life. All these factors combine to make North Dakota a great place to live and a great place to work. North Dakota offers an outstanding quality of life. Two of the most important factors are abundant, high-quality education at all levels, and the low level of crime. Higher education availability. North Dakota's 21 college and university campuses contribute to its high quality of life. North Dakota SAT scores ranked 2nd in the nation in 2001 with an average score of 1,191 compared to the national average of 1,020. North Dakota, a state with an area of 70,665 square miles, is bounded by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan to the north, Montana to the west, and South Dakota to the south. The meandering Red River of the North forms the state's eastern border with Minnesota. The state's topography is as varied as it is beautiful. Pembina, the lowest point at 792 feet above sea-level, is situated in North Dakota's northeast corner. To the west, the fertile farms give way to prairies teeming with migratory waterfowl and rolling hills along the Sheyenne, Missouri, and Knife Rivers. In western North Dakota, vast grasslands, plateaus, and multicolored Badlands dot the landscape, and the state's highest point, White Butte, rises 3,506 feet above sea-level. By population, the ten largest urban centers in the state are: Fargo/West Fargo, Bismarck/Mandan, Grand Forks, Minot, Dickinson, Jamestown, Williston, Wahpeton, Devils Lake, Valley City Various attractions |
