Minnesota's Neighbors: Six States and One Province
Minnesota sits in the Upper Midwest, bordered by four U.S. states, one Great Lake, and one Canadian province.
Land Borders
| Direction | Neighbor | Border Length | Key Features |
|---|
| North | Ontario, Canada | ~550 km | Rainy River, Lake of the Woods, Boundary Waters |
| East | Wisconsin | ~420 km | St. Croix River, St. Louis River, Duluth/Superior metro |
| South | Iowa | ~430 km | Prairie potholes, Des Moines River source |
| West | North Dakota | ~300 km | Red River Valley (north), prairie |
| Southwest | South Dakota | ~100 km | Big Stone Lake, Lake Traverse (continental divide) |
Water Border
- Lake Superior: Minnesota's "North Shore" (240 km) – largest freshwater lake by area globally. Not a state, but a defining boundary.
- Michigan's Upper Peninsula does not touch Minnesota – separated by Lake Superior and Wisconsin.
Tri-State / Quad Points
- MN-WI-ON water tripoint (Lake Superior)
- MN-ND-SD land tripoint (near Browns Valley)
- MN-IA-SD land tripoint (near Iowa Great Lakes)
Regional Context
- Twin Cities (MSP) – 30 mins from WI border.
- Red River Valley (ND/MN) – flattest, richest farmland.
- Boundary Waters (ON/MN) – wilderness canoeing.
- Corn/Soy Belt (IA/MN/SD) – intensive agriculture.
Wanderlust World