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The U.S. state of Minnesota can be divided into regions in a variety of ways.
On a basic level, the state is divided between the Minneapolis-Saint Paul or Twin Cities metropolitan area (often referred to locally as ''The Cities''), and ''Outstate'' or ''Greater Minnesota''.
The Twin Cities area now comprises eleven Minnesota counties centered around Minneapolis, the state's largest city, and adjoining Saint Paul, the capital, plus two Wisconsin counties. About three out of every five residents of the state live in this conurbation.
Outstate Minnesota is less urbanized than the Twin Cities. It is also geographically more diverse, with farmlands to the south and west, lake country in central Minnesota, and forests in the northern part of the state. Approximately two out of five Minnesotans live in Greater Minnesota. Its major population centers include Duluth, Rochester, Moorhead, St. Cloud, Mankato, and Winona.

★ Politically, contains eight congressional districts.

★ Climatologically, the state varies considerably from the far north, near Canada and Lake Superior to the south, where fertile farm land borders Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

★ Demographically, population density varies from less than 4 persons per square mile in the least developed areas to nearly 7,000 persons per square mile in Minneapolis.

★ Geologically, variations exist due to ice cover during the last Ice Age.

★ Culturally and economically, areas of the state vary with respect to industry, predominate professions, and urbanization.
The 'regions' discussed here have combined elements from several of these various criteria to divide the state into areas recognized by the typical Minnesotan. Disagreements concerning the exact boundaries are to be expected, however the exact boundary definitions are not necessary to adequately define the state's regions.


★ The Northwest Angle is that portion of Minnesota north of the 49^th parallel Latitude line.

★ The Iron Range is characterized by high concentrations of taconite and iron. The area is dotted by iron mines and populated by iron-industry workers. The North Shore, Arrowhead Region and the Boundary Waters are within the Iron Range.

★ The Twin Cities Metropolitan area includes 13 counties, two of which are in Wisconsin. It is a socio-economic area driven by the twin cities of Minneapolis and the state capital, Saint Paul.

★ Although no specific boundaries of the region exist, most definitions of what makes up Central Minnesota would generally consist of the vast swath of land north of Interstate 94, east of U.S. Highway 59, south of U.S. Highway 2, and west of U.S. Highway 169.

★ Southeast Minnesota includes the scenic Mississippi Valley to the Whitewater River and Root River in the Coulee Region or Driftless Area.

★ The Buffalo Ridge is the eastern portion of the Coteau des Prairies, a geological formation characterized by higher elevation and high average wind speed, providing opportunities for commercially viable wind power. The area also includes the Pipestone Region.

★ The Red River Valley is a term the U.S. government uses to generally describe the sections of northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota which the U.S. secured title to following the Anglo-American Convention of 1818.

★ The Minnesota River Valley follows the state's namesake, a fertile agricultural area, running from the South Dakota border to its junction with the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities.

★ "Northern Minnesota" is a broader title that includes several regions, and can be defined as any area within the 218 telephone area code.

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