ITASCA

L’Étoile du Nord

Itasca is a geographic region with an economic system based on farming, mining, tourism, and small businesses.  Lakes and vast tracts of wilderness give the region its special character. Itasca is a vast domain in north-central United States, bordering Canada. The motto L’Étoile du Nord (Star of the North) captures the essence of this region.

Duluth is the largest city and the cultural and economic hub of Itasca. Other large cities include St. Cloud, Moorhead, Marshall, Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Alexandria, and Brainerd. The region of Itasca has 49 counties. Population of Itasca region, 1,310,000 (Est.). Culturally Itasca aligns with European ancestry.

Itasca is a region with many common interests. Efforts to promote and advance the economy and culture, and enhance the natural environment, of the rural areas and small and medium-sized communities in the western and northern parts of the State of Minnesota can foster progress and well-being of all who live in the region.

Flag for Region of Itasca

Seal for Region of Itasca

MINNESOTA

Mni Sóta Makoce

Minnesota, the other geographic region on this map, is dominated by an urban population living in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) and its suburbs.  Rochester is another large city in Minnesota. The region of Minnesota has 35 counties. Population of Minnesota region, 4,397,000 (Est.).  Ancestry of the region is mainly European, but large pockets of people from Africa, Asia, and other areas around the world live in Minnesota’s larger cities.

Flag for Minnesota

 

Seal for Minnesota

 

The State of Minnesota, the political umbrella for both regions, has recently redesigned its state seal and flag. On its state seal, Minnesota takes as its motto Mni Sóta Makoce, terms derived from Dakota Indian language, borrowing from history and the days before Europeans settled in the region.

Note:  The map of regions above merges Jackson with Nobles County;
Murray with Cottonwood County; and Lyon with Redwood County.