South Dakota Geography

South Dakota Geography, South Dakota Facts

About half of Alabama

South Dakota is bordered by North Dakota to the north and by Nebraska to the south. On the east, South Dakota borders Minnesota and Iowa, and on the west, it borders Montana and Wyoming.

The highest point in South Dakota is Harney Peak at 7242 feet above sea level. Major rivers include the Cheyenne, the Missouri, the James and the White Rivers.

South Dakota has some of the earliest geologic history on the continent in the rock formations of the Black Hills and the Badlands. The Missouri River cuts through the center of the state. To the east of the river are low hills and lakes formed by glaciers. The land here is fertile and farms are prevalent. This area is referred to as the Drift Prairie. The Dissected Till Plains lie in the southeastern corner of the state and consist of rolling hills crossed by streams.

The Great Plains cover most of the western two-thirds of the state, and the landscape is more rugged. There are rolling hills, plains, canyons and steep flat-topped hills called buttes which can rise 400-600 feet above the plains. In the south, east of the Black Hills lie the Badlands. The Black Hills themselves are rich in minerals such as gold, silver, copper, and lead. The Black Hills are also home to Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Geography Information from Teachersfirst.com

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