North Dakota is land without pretension. There are no false centers of hype or landmarks of puff. What you see is what you get. The appeal lies in its unabashed rural culture of sweeping wheat fields dotted with tiny towns epitomizing real-life versions of Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion.

Top Weather

Hot and cold are well-defined in North Dakota. In a span of four months in 1936, the state recorded a record low of 60-below and a record high of 121―a variance of 181 degrees. This, obviously, is an extreme example, but it does show you what to expect. Summers average a mild 70 degrees, while winters experience an average high of just seven degrees.

The annual snowfall amount of 32 inches is relatively low, but often seems more extreme due to a constant wind that takes advantage of the state's flat landscape and kicks up blizzard conditions.

Top First Things First

Now that you know the extremes that can come with living in North Dakota, you'll also need to know how to take care of a few tasks to get you back on the road:

• Motor Vehicle Office Locations & Hours

• Applying for a New License

• Applying for an Identification Card

• Changing Your Address

• Car Registration

• License Plates

• Motorcycle License

• Driver License Manual

Top Art and Culture

North Dakota embraces its past with passion, lending its art and culture scene a refreshing sense of genuineness. Every Labor Day weekend, Bismarck hosts the United Tribes International Pow Wow, which features traditional singing and dancing by tribes throughout North America's northern plains.

The Dakota Cowboy Poetry Gathering―one of the most recognized in the nation―takes place every Memorial Day weekend in Medora. And the Norsk Hostfest, in Minot, annually celebrates the state's Scandinavian heritage.

Top Attractions

Theodore Roosevelt National Park represents a smaller version of the Badlands. Its maze of rolling hills and narrow gullies populated with oak and cottonwood trees creates a perfect backdrop for hiking, biking and camping. The International Peace Garden, located along the Canadian-U.S. border, enjoys must-see status during summer when over 150,000 planted flowers confetti its grounds.

The town of Rugby represents the geographical center of North America. And the Roger Maris Museum chronicles Fargo's famous son's storied career with the New York Yankees.

Top Fun Facts

• North Dakota harbors more wildlife refuges (60) than any other state in the country.

• The parking meter was invented in North Dakota.

• North Dakota has more registered vehicles than people.

• It is the only state in the country to never experience an earthquake.

• Lawrence Welk was born here.

• North Dakota grows more sunflowers than any other state.

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