North Dakota is the most rural state in America, with 90% of the state covered by farms. The state’s economy is driven by agriculture and it is first in the production of wheat as well as key in the production of barley, rye, and sunflowers. North Dakota also leads the country in energy production through wind farms and oil fields. North Dakota leads the nation in tourism growth as visitors begin to explore the vast outdoors. North Dakota has been named America’s Friendliest and Safest state by Cambridge University as well as the Most Affordable Vacation state by AAA.
North Dakota was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The state was explored by Lewis and Clark as they headed west. The first settlements were made at Pembina, the extreme northern tip of North Dakota, in 1812 by Scottish and Irish families although the area was still in dispute between the U.S. and Great Britain.