Minnesota

Paul metropolitan area). Lakers-Celtics Rivalry. In recent years, new immigrants have added new religions to Minnesota, and there are now Islamic mosques, Buddhist temples, and Hindu mandirs in the state (many in the Minneapolis-St. HEAD COACH: Doc Rivers
ASSISTANT COACHES: Dave Wohl, Tony Brown, Jim Brewer, Kevin Eastman, Armond Hill and Paul Pressey
. Nearly 35% of Minnesotans identify themselves as Lutherans. Bench. The largest Protestant denomination in the state is Lutheranism and the largest religious body in the state is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Starters.

64% of Minnesotans are Protestant (mostly mainline Protestant), although there are also a large number of Roman Catholics (about 25% of the population). Under current general manager Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers, the Celtics won the division championship in the 2004-2005 season, but lost to the Indiana Pacers in game 7 in the postseason. The population distribution by age is (Northeast Midwest Institute):. In 1994 the Celtics moved from the Boston Garden into the Fleet Center. More recent immigrant communities include the third-largest Hmong population in the United States (from the Laos/Cambodia/Vietnam region) and the largest urban center of Hmong population in the world, and a large presence of people from Somalia. After the retirement of Bird, the Celtics yet again went into rebuilding. More than 8 out of 10 whites in Minnesota are of German or Scandinavian descent. The three Finals where the Celtics played the Lakers featured the matchup of Bird versus NBA great Magic Johnson.

Minnesotans traditionally count themselves as of Nordic descent (approximately 1.5 million people, 30% of the population, claim Danish, Finnish, Norwegian or Swedish ancestry), though more families originated in Germany (approximately 2 million people, 40% of the population). Jones led the Celtics to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances against the Lakers and the Houston Rockets between 1984 and 1987, winning championships in 1984 and 1986. The racial makeup of the state is:. Jones was named head coach. Most of the state's population is centered in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The team won a title in 1981, and the following year K.C. 5.3% of the people who live in Minnesota are foreign-born (compared to 11.1% for the nation). With the acquisition of NBA legend Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale, the Celtics yet again became a dominant team in the NBA, playing in 5 NBA Finals in the 1980s.

The state population, as of 2003, was 5,059,375 (1.75% of the total national population), with a growth rate of 12.4% in the last 10 years (compared to 13.1% for the nation). The rebuilding phase only lasted two years. Paul, Bloomington, and Edina). After the 1976 victory, though, Boston went into another phase of rebuilding. The "retail capital" of the state is probably the Twin Cities suburb of Roseville, which recorded $14,870 per capita (though it is easily outstripped in total revenue by Minneapolis, St. In 1974 the team bested the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals, and in 1976 the team won yet another championship after defeating the Phoenix Suns. Census Bureau). However, with Dave Cowens, Paul Silas, and Jo Jo White, the Celtics became dominant again.

average of $9,190 (U.S. The next season was one of rebuilding as the Celtics had their first losing record in a long time. Retail sales per capita were $10,260 in 1997, higher than the U.S. sports history. The Gross State Product was just under $173 billion in 1999 (Northeast Midwest Institute), with approximately $17.5 billion in exports in 2000. The streak of 8 consecutive NBA championships is the longest streak of consecutive championships in U.S. Minnesota businesses and individuals paid an average of 11.8% of their income in state and local taxes in 1998, down from 12.7% in 1996 (Minnesota Department of Revenue). Russell retired after the 1969 season, effectively ending a dominant Celtics dynasty that had garnered 11 NBA titles.

The state does not charge sales tax on clothing, services (massages, haircuts, auto work, etc), or non-prepared food items. The aging team managed two more championships, though, in 1968 and 1969, each against the Lakers in the NBA Finals. It has an income and sales tax, as well as levying taxes on a common range of goods such as tobacco, gasoline, and alcohol. Russell took over as a player and coach. However, that year the Celtics' string of NBA titles was broken. Minnesota is regarded as a high-tax state by some. After the 1966 championship, though, Auerbach retired. However, water- and rail-borne traffic has been declining steadily over the years. The Celtics would eventually meet the Lakers a total of 10 times in the NBA Finals.

The state has been a major influence in the area of transportation, moving products along the Mississippi River, in and out of the inland seaport of Duluth, along railroads that criss-cross the state, via highways with trucking and busing companies, and through the air with a major airline hub. During that timespan, the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals six times, starting an intense- and sometimes bitter- rivalry. As of January 2005, the state is the country's fourth-largest wind energy producer after California, Texas, and Iowa, with 615 megawatts installed and 213 MW planned [1] (http://www.awea.org/projects/). Under coach Red Auerbach, the Celtics won another seven championships for eight championships in a row. Many farmers also now operate wind turbines to produce electricity, particularly in the windy southwest region. In 1959, with Russell and Jones, the Celtics won the NBA Championship with the sweep of the Minneapolis Lakers. If production capacity meets the need, 2% biodiesel will be required in diesel fuel in 2005. Jones, the Celtics began a dynasty that would last 8 seasons.

state with such a mandate). However, with the acquisition of K.C. A fair amount of ethanol alcohol fuel is produced in the state, and a 10% mix of ethanol into consumer gasoline has been mandated since 1997 (as of 2004, Minnesota is the only U.S. In 1957, the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals, this time losing to the Hawks in 6 games. Additionally, northern Minnesota is a source for iron ore and wood products, though these are both declining industries. Louis Hawks in seven games, giving the Celtics the first of a NBA record 16 NBA Championships. A large proportion of the state's economy is still agricultural, even though only a small percentage of the population (around 2%) consider themselves to be farmers. Russell had an immediate impact; that year, the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals and defeated the then St.

The largest shopping mall in the United States, the Mall of America, is located in Bloomington. After the merger of the BAA and the National Basketball League to form the NBA, the Celtics acquired rookie Bill Russell in 1956. The city of Rochester is the headquarters of the Mayo Clinic, and has a significant manufacturing presence in International Business Machines. The Celtics were formed in 1946 as a team in the Basketball Association of America. and Honeywell. The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. Bancorp, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (formerly Lutheran Brotherhood), Medtronic, Cray Computers, Imation, and a regional headquarters of Wells Fargo & Co., Caterpillar_Inc. G - #13 Delonte West (Saint Joseph's).

(formerly Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.), Northwest Airlines, Target Corporation, U.S. SF - #9 Justin Reed (Ole Miss). The Twin Cities are home to a diverse range of major businesses, including 3M Co. C - #43 Kendrick Perkins (Clifton J. Ozen HS, Beaumont, Texas). In general, salaries are lowest in more rural areas, particularly in the northwest portion of the state. PF - #7 Al Jefferson (Prentiss (MS) HS). The county averages range from $17,369 (Todd County) to $42,313 (Hennepin County, a portion of the Metro area). G/F - #12 Ricky Davis (Iowa).

Census Bureau). C - #30 Mark Blount (Pittsburgh). The average household income in 1999 was approximately $48,000, ranking eighth in the nation (U.S. PG - #11 Marcus Banks (UNLV). Per capita personal income in 2003 was $34,031, 10^th in the nation. G/F - #34 Paul Pierce (Kansas). The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Minnesota's total state product in 2003 was $211 billion. F - #8 Antoine Walker (Kentucky).

The average annual precipitation is 28.32 inches (719 mm), with a snowfall figure of 49.6 inches (126 cm). F/C - #45 Raef LaFrentz (Kansas). The average temperature in January (the coldest month) is 11.2 °F (−11.5 °C), and the average in the warmest month of July is 73.1 °F (22.8 °C); averages are cooler in the north and warmer in the south. SG - #42 Tony Allen (Oklahoma State). A record high of 114 °F (45.5 °C) was reached in both 1917 and 1936. PG - #20 Gary Payton (Oregon State). Additionally, as part of the Great Plains region, the state also experiences warm summers. Len Bias.

Surprisingly, due to the flows of the jet stream, parts of Alaska often see relatively warm temperatures when Minnesota is experiencing extreme cold. Broadcaster Johnny Most. The state is famously cold in the winters, with a record low of −60 °F (−51 °C) measured at Tower, MN on February 2, 1996. Loscy Jim Loscutoff (asked that his #18 not be retired). Temperatures can reach extremes in Minnesota. 35 Reggie Lewis. The biggest event in the last century occurred near Morris in 1975 and rated between 4.6 and 4.8 in magnitude. 33 Larry Bird.

Aside from a few very minor earthquakes, Minnesota is one of the most geologically-stable regions in the country. 32 Kevin McHale. The state's average elevation is 1,200 feet (366 m), with a high point at Eagle Mountain (2,301 ft or 701 m) and a low at the surface of Lake Superior (602 ft or 183 m). 31 Cedric Maxwell. Cloud, Mankato, Rochester (home of the world-famous Mayo Clinic), and Bloomington (home to the Mall of America). Jones. Other prominent cities include Duluth, St. 25 K.C.

Together (and with surrounding suburbs), they are known as the Twin Cities. 24 Sam Jones. Paul, which sits on the Mississippi River next to Minnesota's largest city, Minneapolis. 23 Frank Ramsey. The capital is St. 22 Ed Macauley. Traversing the state from southwest to northeast goes through the three different ecological regions. 21 Bill Sharman.

Minnesota sits at a convergence point between three of the great biomes of North America: the Great Plains of the west, the Eastern Deciduous Forest, and the Northern Boreal Forest of Canada. 19 Don Nelson. Minnesota is the northernmost of the 48 contiguous states (Alaska reaches significantly farther north), reaching to 49° 23' 04" north latitude, due to a small piece of the state known as the Northwest Angle. 18 Dave Cowens. In addition, Minnesota shares a water boundary with Michigan. 17 John Havlicek. The state is bordered on the north by Canada (Manitoba and Ontario), on the east by Wisconsin and Lake Superior, on the south by Iowa, and on the west by North Dakota and South Dakota. 16 Satch Sanders.

Although the high-grade iron ore was mostly mined out during World War II, taconite is still mined across the Iron Range. 15 Tom Heinsohn. It is called the Iron Range because when discovered, it had some of the largest deposits of iron ore in the country. 14 Bob Cousy. This is a range of low mountains that run across the northern part of the state. 10 Jo Jo White. After its rivers and lakes, Minnesota's most prominent physical feature is the Iron Range. 6 Bill Russell.

Minnesota is home to many areas of park land, to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA), as well as a number of state and county parks, most notably Itasca State Park, the official source of the Mississippi River. 3 Dennis Johnson. The Minnesota portion of Lake Superior is the largest body of water in the state. 2 Red Auerbach (legendary coach and executive). In addition, the Iron Range and other low mountains are found in the northeastern part of the state. 1 Walter Brown (founding owner). However, the extreme southeastern portion of the state is part of the Driftless Area, which was not glaciated, and it is here that Lake Pepin and the rugged high bluffs of the Mississippi River are found. 00 Robert Parish.

Much of the state is flat, having been eroded during repeated glacial periods (most recently the Wisconsin Glacier). Paul Silas. It is famous for its lakes, having in excess of 15,000, depending on the source of the count. Don Chaney. Minnesota covers 79,610 square miles (2.25% of the United States). Danny Ainge. See: List of Minnesota counties. Bill Walton.

External links: Hyperlinked state constitution (http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/preamble.htm), full text of state constitution (http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/mncon.htm). John Thompson (only played in the NBA for two years; inducted for his coaching career at Georgetown University). See also: List of political parties in Minnesota. Bill Sharman (inducted both as a Celtics player and as a coach, most notably with the Los Angeles Lakers). Some actions in the Twin Cities metropolitan area are coordinated by the Metropolitan Council, and many lakes and rivers are overseen by watershed districts and soil and water conservation districts. Bill Russell. In addition to the standard city and county levels of government found in the United States, Minnesota also has other entities that provide governmental oversight and planning. Arnie Risen.

Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.. Frank Ramsey. Appeals beyond this level go to the U.S. Andy Phillip. Louis, Missouri. Robert Parish. Minnesota is part of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in St. Kevin McHale.

Paul, or Duluth. Pete Maravich. Federal cases are heard in the federal district courts in Minneapolis, St. Ed Macauley. The state has two special courts created by state law as executive-branch agencies:. Clyde Lovellette. Minnesota's court system has three levels:. Sam Jones.

The Minnesota Senate is controlled by the DFL by five seats and there is one Independence Party state senator, former Republican Sheila Kiscaden (IP-Rochester) who seats with the DFL. Jones. In the November 2004 election, the Republican Party retained control of the Minnesota House of Representatives by a single seat, having lost a total of 13 seats. C. The state has 67 districts, each covering about 60,000 people. Each district has one senator and two representatives (each district being divided into A and B subsections). Senators serve for four years, and representatives serve for two years. K. The Minnesota State Legislature is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Bailey Howell.

The full list of governors, and the dates they took office, is available at List of Governors of Minnesota. Tom Heinsohn. He has a cabinet consisting of the leaders of various government agencies in the state. John Havlicek. The governor and lieutenant governor each have four-year terms. Wayne Embry (inducted as a contributor, not as a player; he was the first African-American to serve both as a general manager and a team president in the NBA). The executive branch is headed by the Governor of Minnesota, currently Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, who started his term on January 6, 2003. Dave Cowens.

Like the national government of the United States, power is divided into three main branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. Bob Cousy. Political conservatism is less strongly linked to church attendance in Minnesota than in other parts of the country, perhaps a reflection of the strong mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic following. Walter Brown. state. Larry Bird. presidential election, the highest of any U.S. Nate Archibald.

77.3% of Minnesotans voted in the 2004 U.S. Minnesota politics include such oddities as Professional wrestler turned Governors and protestors turned crowd-surfing mayors. Minnesota is known for active yet quirky politics, with populism being a long-standing force among all of the political parties that call the state home. Environmentalism is shared by most state residents in one form or another, vegans and hunters alike.

Families frequently own or share cabins on central and northern tracts of land in forests and adjoining lakes, and weekend trips out to these properties are common. Unique activities include ice fishing, which was popular with the early Scandinavian immigrants. Outdoor activities are major parts of the lives of many Minnesotans, including hunting and fishing. Many modern immigrants are attracted by the state's historically strong commitments toward education and social services.

Mexicans are a growing force, as they are across the U.S. Some Chinese and Japanese have had long presences in the state as well. Modern immigrants have come from all over the world in recent decades, with Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Indians, Middle Easterners, and the former Soviet bloc all being well-represented. The Métis people, a mixed French and Native American culture, were a presence in the early state and territorial days, but largely moved north into Canada.

Native Americans have a moderate presence in Minnesota, and some tribes operate casinos which have been said to be among the most profitable in the country. The earliest European exploration and settlement was by the French, and settlement from Scandinavian countries along with Germany followed. However, many cultures are slowly mixing together in the state today. Stereotypical Minnesotans are known for various attributes, including Lutheranism, "Minnesota nice", "hot dish", and sing-songy Scandinavian accents. The eastern half of the territory of Minnesota became the country's 32nd state—after California—on May 11, 1858.

Minnesota Territory was carved out of Iowa Territory on March 3, 1849, but it was not coextensive with the present state, since the area included what later became the territory of Dakota (which later still became the states of North Dakota and South Dakota). Parts were also considered to be in the Northwest Territory. Much of the state was purchased from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase, although the exact definition of that land was not assessed for many years afterward. It is now a historic site.

military presences in the state. Fort Snelling, located at the confluence of the Minnesota River and the Mississippi River, was one of the earliest U.S. Croix River, though many histories focus on the military settlement that took place farther west. Some say that the earliest European settlement was in the area of the current city of Stillwater, on the St.

The evidence for this is largely based on the controversial Kensington Runestone, which most historians consider to be an elaborate hoax. According to local tradition, the first European visitors were Swedish and Norwegian Vikings in the 14th century. In this time, the economy originally consisted of hunter-gatherer activities, which changed over time as Europeans settled in the area and further exploited the state's natural resources. The area now known as Minnesota was originally inhabited by Native Americans, in particular the Ojibwe (Chippewa, Anishinaabe) and Dakota, although the Winnebago also had a presence in the southeastern part of the state.

Main article: History of Minnesota. Other nicknames for the state include Land of 10,000 Lakes and the North Star State. The USS Minnesota was named in honor of this state, as was the SS Gopher State. The state is a major food producer for the country, and has a number of natural resources that have been greatly exploited in the last two centuries.

More than half of the state's residents live there. The most significant metropolitan area is known as the Twin Cities, combining the state's most populous cities, Minneapolis and the capital of Saint Paul, along with multiple "rings" of suburbs. Minnesota is the largest state by area in the Midwestern United States and is in the subregion known as the Upper Midwest. The state's name is abbreviated MN or Minn..

Its name is from the Dakota people's name for the Minnesota River, mini sota, variously translated "smoky-white water" or "sky-tinted water". Minnesota is the 32nd state of the United States, having joined the Union on May 11, 1858. Steve Zahn. Dave Winfield.

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Nicknames – "Gopher State," "North Star State," "Land of 10,000 Lakes". State tree – Norway Pine. State song – "Hail! Minnesota". State picture – Grace.

State mushroom – Morel (sponge mushroom; honeycomb morel). State muffin – Blueberry (adopted as part of a school project on how a bill becomes law). State motto – L'Étoile du Nord (“Star of the North”). Territory Motto (actual) – Quo sursum velo videre (“I cover to see what is above” is the closest translation).

Territory Motto (intended) – Quae sursum volo videre (“I wish to see what is beyond”). State grain – Wild rice. State gemstone – Lake Superior Agate. State flower – Pink and White Showy Lady Slipper.

State fish – Walleye. State drink – Milk. State butterfly – Monarch. State bird – Loon.

65+ - 594,266 (12.1%). 35-64 - 1,894,747 (38.6%). 19-34 - 1,068,850 (21.7%). 0-18 - 1,361,616 (27.7%).

1.4% mixed race. 1.1% American Indian. 2.9% Asian. 2.9% Hispanic.

3.5% Black. 88.2% White. It has five judges appointed by the governor to six-year terms, following approval from the state Senate. The Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals deals with cases involving worker injuries referred to it on appeal, or transferred from district court.

It has three judges appointed by the governor to six-year terms, following approval from the state Senate. The Tax Court deals with non-criminal tax cases across the state. The court automatically reviews first-degree murder convictions, and settles disputes over legislative elections. The seven justices on the Supreme Court hear appeals from the Court of Appeals, the Tax Court, and the Worker's Compensation Court.

Minnesota Supreme Court. There are 16 judges, who divide into three-judge panels to hear appeals in courts across the state. This body hears appeals on cases tried in the trial courts. Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Most state cases start in the trial courts. The state is split into 10 judicial districts, with 257 judges. Trial courts.