Okay, so everyone knows that South Dakota is the greatest state ever and is home to some of the best landmarks and attractions. But did you know that we were once the “Divorce Capital of the Plains”? Or that we have more miles of shoreline than Florida? Or… well, read on as we discuss these and other incredible, almost unbelievable facts about South Dakota:

1. As we previously mentioned, South Dakota once housed the "Divorce Capital of the Plains."
Flickr/Jerry and Pat Donaho
That's right, folks; in the late 1800s, South Dakota's biggest city was a mecca for divorce, as they offered proceedings significantly quicker than other courthouses around the country.
2. Our state has more shoreline than Florida.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
How is this even possible? It's thanks to our many bodies of water, like the mighty Missouri and Lake Oahe.
3. South Dakota is comprised of 77,123 square miles and averages 10 people for each of them.
Flickr/m01229
In total, SoDak is home to an estimated 814,180 residents.
4. Custer State Park alone is home to an estimated 1,500 bison!
Flickr/dconvertini
Can you imagine how many bison total live in South Dakota?!
5. With only 14,000 residents, Pierre is the 2nd least populous state capital in America.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
The least populous of all is Montpelier, Vermont, with a population of 8,000.

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6. Agriculture is the largest industry in the state and tourism is the second largest.
Flickr/John B. Kalla
In 2006 alone, tourists spent a whopping $865M in South Dakota!
7. The Mitchell Corn Palace is the ONLY corn palace in the world!
Flickr/Navin Rajagopalan
...and even if it wasn't, it would still be the best!
8. Spearfish Creek freezes from the bottom up.
Flickr/Eric
How is this even possible? It's because the water flows so quickly and only freezes because of the friction created between the riverbed and rushing water.
9. South Dakota is home to one of the biggest prairie dog settlements in the world, which spans 100 x 250 miles and houses nearly 400M critters!
Flickr/Brent Moore
It's a good thing they are so cute!
10. Finally, the Petrified Wood Park in Lemmon, South Dakota is the largest of its kind in the world.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Check it out for yourself; they have many fossils from 50M+ years ago!

For even more Only in South Dakota fun, click on If You Can Pronounce These 8 Words, You’ve Lived In South Dakota For Far Too Long.

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