South Dakota: Mount Rushmore State

South Dakota is known for Mount Rushmore, Badlands, and Native American heritage. The sparsely populated state features Great Plains, Black Hills, and Wild West history.

Mount Rushmore features carved faces of four presidents in the Black Hills. Crazy Horse Memorial is under construction nearby. Badlands National Park has dramatic eroded landscapes. Deadwood is a historic mining town where Wild Bill Hickok was killed. The Black Hills are sacred to Lakota Sioux. Pierre is the capital. Sioux Falls is the largest city.

South Dakota's economy includes agriculture, tourism, financial services (credit card companies attracted by favorable laws), and Ellsworth Air Force Base. The state has no income tax. Native American reservations face poverty despite tribal casinos. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings hundreds of thousands of bikers annually. The state's conservative politics and rural character attract some seeking escape from regulation. Mount Rushmore symbolizes American ambition though Native Americans view Black Hills occupation as sacred land theft.