North Dakota is the 19th largest US state, however, ranks as the 47th most populous, with under 800,000 residents. The largest city is Fargo and its capital city is Bismarck. North Dakota was the 39th state admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889.

The state’s natural resources helped North Dakota weather the Great Recession early in the 21st century.  The state’s largest industry is agriculture, but petroleum, the food industry, and technology are also major markets which contribute to the state’s economy. The state has the fastest growing GDP in the country, and in 2013 had a per capita income of nearly $51,000, making it the 16th highest in the US. The Bank of North Dakota in Bismarck is the only state-owned bank in the country. There is also a state-owned flour mill, both of which were constructed prior to WWII. The second largest Microsoft Campus is in Fargo, with over 1700 employees, and Grand Forks is home to several Amazon.com employees as well.

North Dakota’s government structure comes from the  Constitution of North Dakota.  Like the majority of other states, the power in the state is divided between the Executive, the Judicial and the Legislative branch.

The Executive branch of the states consists of elected offices, including the governor, lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor and the state treasurer.  The governor and lieutenant governor serve four-year terms, and the governor leads a cabinet of appointed leaders of state departments, called commissioners.

The Legislative branch of North Dakota consists of a bicameral house and senate, representing the state’s forty-seven districts. Each district sends one senator and two representatives to the legislature, elected for four year terms. 

The judiciary in North Dakota includes the North Dakota Supreme Court, the North Dakota Court of Appeals, District courts and Municipal Courts.  Cases begin in the District courts that have general jurisdictions, with appeals working up the line. 

North Dakota contributes 3 electoral votes to the 270 required for a nominee to win the Presidential Elections. North Dakota is part of the Eighth Federal Circuit.

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