Geography of North Dakota
North Dakota is about 340 miles long and 211 miles wide, covered in many different types of geographic formations. North Dakota covers approximately 70,704 square miles, making it the 19th largest of the 50 states. About 1,710 square miles of North Dakota are covered by water.
Geographic Divisions
North Dakota is divided into three geographic regions. In the east is the Red River Valley. To the west of the Red River Valley is the Drift Prairie. The southwestern part of North Dakota is covered by the Great Plains, accentuated by the Badlands.
The Red River Valley
The Red River Valley lies along the border with Minnesota. It is very flat, and is one of the most fertile areas in the world. This area of North Dakota is mostly farm country, with wheat, sugar beets, and corn as staple crops, and along with other crops and livestock, cover the area. The lowest point in North Dakota lies on the Red River, at 750 feet above sea level.
The Drift Prairie
To the west of the Red River Valley is the Drift Prairie. The Drift Prairie is bordered on the north by the Turtle Mountains and separated from the Red River Valley by the Pembina Hills. This area rises from 200 to 2,000 feet over the Red River Valley. The Drift Prairie is covered in lakes, stream valleys, and rolling hills.
The Great Plains
About half of North Dakota is covered by the Great Plains. The Great Plains, in the southwestern section of the state, are hilly and rich in mineral deposits. This area rises about 300 to 400 feet above the Drift Prairie east of the Missouri River. Along the Missouri River, the land is lower. This area is called the Missouri Break. To the south and west of the river is an area of rugged valleys and buttes called the Slope.
The Badlands
The Badlands lie in southwestern North Dakota. The Badlands are a valley of stone and clay that wind and water have shaped into strange formations; many shades of browns, reds, grays, and yellows carved into buttes, pyramids, domes, and cones. They stretch for about 190 miles and are from 6 to 20 miles wide. In some areas of the Badlands the rocks contain lignite coal that has been burning for many years. The clay above these coal beds has turned bright pink and red. White Butte, the highest point in North Dakota stands 3,506 feet above sea level in the Badlands.