【Name】State of South Dakota, SD, also called as the “The

Mount Rushmore State”. The name “Dakota” was originated from the language of the Sioux Native American people, meaning “friends”.

【Geography】The state has a total area of approximately 199,729 square kilometers, ranking the 17th-largest by area in the United States. It is located in the Midwestern United States. The Missouri River divides the state into two geographically and socially distinct parts, commonly known as “East River” and “West River”.

【Population】The population is approximately 0.935 million (2025 data), ranking 46th in the United States. Racial and ethnic composition: White 79.58%, Native American 8.41%, Hispanic or Latino 4.37%, Black or African American 1.97%, Asian 1.5%, and other 4.17%.

【History】The Dakota Territory, which included North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Montana and Wyoming, was created in 1861. The state of South Dakota was admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, on the same day as North Dakota, becoming the 39th or 40th state of the United States. Mount Rushmore is a famous national memorial in the United States and is commonly known as the “Presidents’ Mountain”.

【Politics】The current governor is Larry Rhoden. The capital is Pierre, and its mayor is Steve Harding. The largest city is Sioux Falls, and its mayor is Christine Erickson.

【Economy】South Dakota has highly developed agricultural, livestock, food processing, financial services, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Its major agricultural products include rye and flaxseed. Its mineral resources include gravel, gold, and stone, and it is an important gold-producing state in the United States.

In 2025, its nominal GDP was approximately $80.7 billion, ranking 48th in the United States, with real GDP growth of 1.4%; per capita GDP was approximately $86,248, ranking 22nd in the United States; and total exports of goods amounted to $1.9 billion. The total trade volume with China reached USD 349 million, including USD 239 million in imports from China and USD 111 million in exports to China. 

【Sister Cities with China】There are currently no sister-city relations with China.