Flag of South Dakota

What the flag looks like

A sky blue field with the state seal in the center, surrounded by a serrated gold sunburst, with "SOUTH DAKOTA" arched above and "THE MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE" arched below in gold.

What it means

The sunburst reflects the state's sunny climate, and the seal shows farming, ranching, mining and river trade under the motto "Under God the People Rule".

How to remember it

South Dakota rings its seal with a spiky gold sun and spells "THE MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE" round the bottom.

Fun facts

• Until 1992 the lower text read "THE SUNSHINE STATE"; it was changed to "THE MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE".
• South Dakota and North Dakota were admitted on the same day in 1889; which came first was deliberately obscured.

South Dakota at a glance

Nickname

The Mount Rushmore State

Statehood

1889

Capital

Pierre

Region

West North Central

Population

886,667

Area

199,729 km²

Flag adopted

1992

Flags often confused with South Dakota

• Montana: Montana and South Dakota both write the state name in gold around a seal on blue. South Dakota's seal is ringed by a gold sunburst with "THE MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE" below; Montana's name sits in a straight line above.