Facts About Pierre
Pierre is the capital city of South Dakota, located on the Missouri River in the central part of the state. It has a population of around 14,000 people. Here are a few facts about the city:
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Pierre was named after Pierre Chouteau Jr., a fur trader who established a trading post in the area in the early 19th century.
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Pierre was founded in 1880 on the east bank of the Missouri River opposite Fort Pierre, a former trading post that developed as a community.
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The city is home to the South Dakota State Capitol, the oldest state capitol building in continuous use west of the Mississippi River.
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In 1889, when South Dakota became a state, Pierre was named the temporary capital; in elections in 1890 and 1904, it was chosen as the permanent capital.
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The Oahe Dam, located just north of Pierre, is the fourth-largest earthen dam in the United States and creates Lake Oahe, which is the largest man-made lake in the Dakotas.
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Pierre is the least populous state capital in the US with a population of under 15,000 people, as of 2021.
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Pierre has an area of 13.07 square miles, of which 13.06 square miles is land and 0.01 square miles is water.
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Government and services are the basis of Pierre’s economy, and the city is a regional trade centre.
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The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center is located in Pierre and is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the state’s history and culture.
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Finally, Pierre often served as a transportation hub for the state, with several major highways intersecting the city. The Pierre Regional Airport serves the city and surrounding area for both commercial and general aviation.
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