Few People Know These Cities In Minnesota Are Halfway Between The Equator And the North Pole
Did you know that Minnesota is home to more than a few map-making oddities? It’s true! Several spots across the Land of 10,000 Lakes exist in our state simply because of mapping errors. For example, the Northwest Angle in northern Minnesota is the result of a mapping mistake in the 1700s. And the Lost 40 is an old-growth forest in Minnesota that would not exist without a mapping error. Today, we’d like to introduce another interesting geographical oddity in Minnesota. This one is not the result of a mistake, but it is a neat claim to fame nonetheless. Read on below to learn about which Minnesota city is halfway between the equator and the North Pole!
The 45th parallel is a circle of latitude - an invisible line that stretches around the globe - that passes through many cities and towns across the world. In the United States, it passes through several states, including Oregon, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
The 45th parallel, at 45 degrees latitude, is halfway between the equator (0 degrees) and the North Pole (90 degrees). This means that any city on the 45th parallel has this as its claim to fame! Here in Minnesota, the 45th parallel passes through many small communities.
It also happens to pass right through Minneapolis. That makes Minneapolis the largest city in North America that is halfway between the equator and the North Pole!
You can visit a couple of places in the Twin Cities where this geographic claim to fame is marked, each one just outside of Minneapolis. There’s a marker in Roseville, at a nondescript spot along Cleveland Avenue. A boulder and a sign commemorate the 45th parallel, noting that visitors are 3,102 miles from both the North Pole and the equator!
There is another boulder marker in Golden Valley, this one just off of Golden Valley Road. It notes the latitude and longitude, as well as the mean elevation above sea level.
Though the 45th parallel cannot be seen, these markers make note of this unique Minnesota claim to fame! Next time you’re out and about in Golden Valley or Roseville, be sure to pay them a visit. While you’re there, you’ll be able to say that you are halfway between the equator and the North Pole! And if you know of any other interesting Minnesota landmarks or oddities, be sure to let us know by nominating them!
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Address: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Address: Roseville, MN 55113, USA
Address: Golden Valley, MN, USA
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Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
