Minneapolis Information

Minneapolis is the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is also the county seat of Hennepin County. Minneapolis lies on both banks of Mississippi River and adjoins Saint Paul, which is the capital of the state. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul is the 16 th largest metropolitan area in the United States.

The name “Minneapolis ” is dedicated to the city's first schoolmaster, who combined Minnehaha and mni, the Dakota word for water and polis, the Greek word for city. The nickname of Minneapolis is the City of Lakes and the Mill City.

The original inhabitants of Minneapolis were the Dakota Sioux until explorers arrived from France in the year 1680. The modern day Minneapolis was incorporated as a town on the west bank of Mississippi in the year 1856 and as a city in 1867.

The climate in Minneapolis is typically like that of the Upper Midwestern United States.The winters are cold and dry whereas the summers are warm, at times hot and frequently humid.

The city experiences a substantial amount of snow, sleet, ice, thunderstorm, tornadoes and fog.

Minneapolis has a diverse culture because it has been welcoming newcomers ever since the 19 th century. At present, the number of African-Americans, Asians and Hispanic is slowly growing.

Minneapolis has 99 public schools including 45 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 7 high schools, 8 alternative schools, 19 contract alternative schools, 8 special education schools and 5 charter schools. Minneapolis is the home for the University of Minnesota and many other universities.

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit operates the light rail system and most of the buses in the city. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport serves domestic and international carriers and is also the hub for many airlines. The city is served by the Minnesota State Highway 5, Interstate 494, Minnesota State Highway 62 and Minnesota State Highway 77.