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Minnesota

Minnesota, twelfth in size among the states and twentieth in population, is the industrial and agricultural center of the upper Midwest. The state's varied terrain ranges from rich farmland in the south to rugged forests in the north. When the last glacier receded more than 100 centuries ago a lovely lake-studded landscape remained. There are some 900 lakes, 500 parks, and three great rivers--the Mississippi, the Minnesota, and the St. Croix---in the metropolitan area alone. To the north lie resort and fishing regions.

Perhaps more immediately recognized than variety in Minnesota's landscape is the variety in its weather. Weather in Minnesota, especially winter, is a subject that comes up frequently. However, winter is rarely as bad as one might imagine. Clear winter days bring skiers, skaters, hikers, and joggers to the lakes and parkways, which are close to most metropolitan homes. The same areas accommodate swimmers, sailors, cyclists, golfers, and tennis players in the spring and summer. These are all popular diversions from study and research. It is no surprise to Minnesotans that studies of the quality of life consistently rank us among the top in the nation.

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The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul

Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota, and St. Paul, the state capital, make up the state's major metropolitan area known as the Twin Cities -- the 16th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Both are highly attractive cities offering flourishing downtowns, sophisticated educational and cultural institutions, entertainment and sports, and the always affordable diversion of parks and open spaces. In 1998, Money Magazine ranked Minneapolis as the best large city in the Midwest to live. According to a 1993 Gallop Poll, Americans rate Minneapolis as the safest city in the nation.

The Twin Cities support a broad business-base ranging from manufacturers of supercomputers, electronics, medical instruments and machines, to milling, food processing, and graphic arts companies. Eighteen Fortune 500 companies are based in the Twin Cities area including 3M, General Mills, Honeywell, Northwest Airlines, Best Buy and Toro. Other high-tech companies include Medtronic, FluiDyne, Rosemount Aerospace Inc., FMC, and Deltak. In 1993, Fortune magazine ranked Minneapolis as the tenth best city in the nation for conducting business, and according to the Minnesota Department of Labor, Minneapolis is one of the top cities for job growth.

Cultural activities abound. The Minnesota Orchestra is based in Minneapolis, its Orchestra Hall home welcoming classical soloists and popular performers. The Grammy Award-winning St. Paul Chamber Orchestra inaugurated its new home, the Ordway Music Theater, in 1985. The Ordway also houses the Minnesota Opera Company, which performs classic and modern works in English. Live drama choices include classics at the Guthrie Theater, American plays at the Cricket Theater, experimental works at the Southern Theater, numerous comedy and satire troupes, and suburban dinner theaters. The Twin Cities support seven professional theaters and numerous smaller ones.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts displays an encyclopedic collection of world art from antiquity to the present while the Walker Art Center highlights contemporary painting, sculpture, and prints. Attractions in St. Paul include the Minnesota Museum of Art and the Science Museum of Minnesota with its Omnitheater.

The Twin Cities offer a wide range of activities to satisfy everyones interests. There are 949 lakes in the Twin Cities metropolitan area where residents can sail, swim, fish and ski. There are also 30 downhill and 25 cross-country ski areas. The Twin Cities have more than 100 public and private golf courses, and annually host several professional and amateur golf tournaments.

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University of Minnesota General Overview

The University of Minnesota, with its four campuses, is one of the most comprehensive universities in the country and ranks among the most prestigious universities in the United States. It is both the state land-grant university, with a strong tradition of education and public service, and a major research institution, with scholars of national and international reputation.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities--a classic Big Ten campus in the heart of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The largest of the four campuses, it is made up of 20 colleges and offers 161 bachelor's degrees, 218 master's degrees, 114 doctoral degrees, and 5 professional degrees. With a host of nationally recognized, highly ranked programs, the University's Twin Cities campus provides a world-class setting for lifelong learning.

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