It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes, who comprise a large portion of the population and historically dominated the territory. South Dakota is the seventeenth largest by area , but the 5th least populous , and the 5th least densely populated of the 50 United States. As the southern part of the former Dakota Territory , South Dakota became a state on November 2, , simultaneously with North Dakota.

South Dakota State Capital
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The building houses the offices of most state officials, including the Governor of South Dakota. The building was constructed between and In plans began for a large addition located on the building's north side. The floor in the capitol building is made of terrazzo tile. Common lore says the floor was laid by 66 Italian artists.
About Pierre
Pierre , city , seat of Hughes county and capital of South Dakota , U. It lies on the eastern bank of the Missouri River , in the geographic centre of the state. Arikara and, later, Sioux Indians were early inhabitants of the area, which was visited by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in The first permanent settlement was a fur-trading post built in on the western side of the river.
The original question a viewer asked is 'Why was the capital moved from Yankton to Pierre? The city lost the status of capital in though, which was just three years after Governor Nehemiah Ordway came into office. So he could benefit from it. A committee of nine members was put together to vote for the new capital. Bismarck earned five votes, becoming the new capital of the territory. Dakota Territory split several years after that in into North and South Dakota. Bismarck stayed the capital of North Dakota. Pierre is in the middle of South Dakota geographically, so it was named the temporary capital while cities campaigned for the title. Some cities made campaign ribbons to win more votes.