Grand Forks is the county seat of Grand Forks County in central eastern North Dakota. Covering 19.2 sq mi (49.9 sq km), it has a population of 53,000 people, making it the third largest city in North Dakota behind Fargo and Bismarck. It is situated in the Red River Valley, on the west bank of the Red River of the North, across from East Grand Forks in Minnesota.

St Michael's Church, Grand Forks, North DakotaSt Michael's Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Michaels_Church,_Grand_Forks_ND.jpg
Author: Glorioussandwich
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Grand Forks was named after its location, on the fork of the Red River with the Red Lake River, which is near the city center. The city experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. July is the warmest month, when the average high temperature rises to 80.7°F (27.06°C). January is the coldest month, when the average low temperature drops to -4°F (-20°C). The city receives the most rain in June, at 2.98 in (75.7 mm).

The city of Grand Forks was founded by steamboat captain Alexander Griggs in 1870. Its original name was Les Grandes Fourches, which was given by French fur traders working in the area. This was anglicized to Grand Forks when it was incorporated in 1881.

Traditionally a city within a largely farming region, the city of Grand Forks has of late diversified its economy. Among the companies located here include LM Glasfiber, which manufactures wind turbine, and Cirrus Design, which manufactures small aircrafts.

Visiting Grand Forks

Interstate 29 runs north-south through the Grand Forks area, connecting the city with Drayton to the north and Hillsboro to the south.

Places of Interest in Grand Forks

  1. Ralph Engelstad Arena
    Sports arena that serves as the home for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux men and women hockey teams.

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