Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Big Sioux River in winter, Sioux Falls
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedral_from_Falls_Park.jpg
Author: Jake DeGroot


Sioux Falls is the capital and biggest city in South Dakota. It is also the county seat of Minnehaha County. Sioux Falls covers 68.9 sq km (145.9 sq mi) and has a population of 154,000 (2011 estimate) within a metropolitan area of 230,000 people. The city is located at an average elevation of 1,470 ft (448 m) in southeastern South Dakota, near the border with Minnesota and Iowa. The city limits extends from Minnehaha County into part of Lincoln County.

Sioux Falls is in the Central Time Zone, which is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6) and five hours during Daylight Saving Time. The city is located in the Great Plains, on the banks of the Big Sioux Fiver.

First Congregational Church, Sioux Falls
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:First_Congregational_Sioux_Falls_1.jpg
Author: AlexiusHoratius


Sioux Falls experiences a humid continental climate. The warmest month is July, when average temperature hits 85.6°F (29.78°C). On the other hand, in January the temperature may drop to an average low of 2.9°F (-16.17°C).

St Joseph's Cathedral, Sioux Falls
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Joseph_Cathedral,_Sioux_Falls.jpg
Author: Jake DeGroot


Sioux Falls got its name from the falls or cascades on the Big Sioux River. The site was inhabited by various Native American tribes until the arrival of the first Europeans here, namely French explorers, in the early 18th century. The first non-native American to arrive here was Captain James Allen in 1844.

The history of the city of Sioux Falls goes back to Fort Dakota, a military settlement established here in 1865. It provided security to settlers that were forced to leave following the Dakota War of 1862 which pitted Native Americans against the white settlers. The village of Sioux Falls was incorporated in 1876, and re-incorpoated as a city in 1883.

Sioux Falls is one of the faster-growing cities of America particularly in the past few decades. Its population increased from 81,000 in 1980 to 158,000 in 2009.

Visiting Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Interstate 29 runs north-south through Sioux Falls, connecting it with Fargo in the north, and Sioux City and Omaha in the south. Interstate 90 runs east-west, connecting it with Rochester, Minnesota, in the east and Rapid City in the west.

Places of Interest in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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