History and Description of the Metropolitan Minneapolis Regional Area

History and Description of the Metropolitan Minneapolis Regional Area - Search Home and House Property Listings

The name "Minneapolis" comes from the Dakota word, "Minne," meaning "of the waters" and the Greek word, "polis," meaning, "city." Originally home to the Dakota Indians, Minneapolis was incorporated in 1856.

For many years, Minneapolis was the nation's leading flour-milling center. The largest city in Minnesota today is home to such companies as 3M, General Mills, Target Corp. and Medtronic.

From outstanding education to performing arts to exciting annual events, Minneapolis offers a high standard of living. Minneapolis Public Schools serve approximately 50,000 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Another 6,700 are served in a variety of private schools. The city is also home to University of Minnesota.

Numerous annual festivals attract tourists and residents alike. Events such as the annual May Day Parade, Holiday Music Festival, Annual Coffee Festival, and free summer concerts at the Lake Harriet Pavilion provide opportunities to strengthen family and community bonds year-round. Visitors will enjoy the Hennepin Avenue Theater District, Minnesota Orchestra, a ride on the Minneapolis RiverCity Trolley, and ice-skating in downtown Peavey Plaza.

Area museums such as the American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Planetarium, Minnesota Children's Museum, Walker Art Center and the Minnesota Museum of American Art are popular destinations. Minneapolis has four professional sports teams representing the major American sports. Football fans enjoy watching the Vikings in the comfort of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome; baseball fans continue to support two-time World Series Champions, the Minnesota Twins; basketball fans cheer for the Timberwolves at Target Center; and the new NHL Wild is the team for hockey fans.

If shopping were considered a sport, Minneapolis might be considered one of the big 10! In addition to Gaviidae Common, an upscale downtown mall, Southdale Center, the country's first enclosed shopping mall, and the many trendy boutiques in Uptown, shoppers who want it all can travel a few miles outside of town to Mall of America, the nation's largest enclosed shopping mall and entertainment center. The RiverCity Trolley provides transportation to the Albertville outlet stores just outside of town. If all that weren't incentive enough, Minnesota has no sales tax on clothing!