United States, Minnesota
The name of this state came from the Minnesota River so named by the Dakota Sioux for the river's "cloudy" or "milky water." The Dakota word "mnishota" means "cloudy" or "milky water."
Three great rivers, the mighty Mississippi, the Red River of the North, and the St. Lawrence all begin their long journeys within the state of Minnesota. The source of the Mississippi had been sought for years, and it was finally discovered here at Lake Itasca, where it begins its 2,552-mile path to the sea.
If you are ever asked to meet someone at Long Lake, you might want to take a raincheck: Minnesota has at least 91 different lakes named Long Lake! With more than 12,000 lakes within the borders of the state, unique names can be scarce. The lakes of the northern portion of the state have transformed the area into popular summer resorts, attracting thousands of visitors each year with their pristine beauty.
