What Is a "Range" in Minnesota?

In Minnesota geology/mining, a range is an elongated series of hills or low mountains formed by iron-ore-bearing formations.

Major ranges (all in the Mesabi–Vermilion–Cuyuna district, NE Minnesota):

• Mesabi Range – world's largest open-pit iron mines (Hibbing, Virginia).
• Vermilion Range – older, deeper ore; Ely area.
• Cuyuna Range – smaller, manganese-rich; Crosby-Ironton.
• Sawtooth Range – scenic, non-iron, along North Shore.

These ranges drove Minnesota's economy (iron/steel) and settlement patterns. Today, some pits are lakes; others still operate (taconite).