Want to get a handle on South Dakota’s geography? A good place to start is with a county map. County maps are vital for understanding how South Dakota is divided administratively.
Whether you’re a researcher, a traveler, or just curious about the state, this article provides a comprehensive guide to the map of South Dakota with counties, plus key facts about each county.
Types of South Dakota county maps
If you’re looking for a map of South Dakota that includes county lines, you have a few choices.
Physical maps
These maps show South Dakota’s natural features along with county borders. You’ll be able to see elevation changes, rivers, and other notable geographic features.
Satellite maps
These maps show South Dakota from a satellite’s point of view, with county borders overlaid. You’ll get a realistic view of what the state looks like from space.
Outline maps
These maps are simple outlines of South Dakota with county borders. They’re great for teaching and learning, since you can easily see the shapes and locations of each county.
Key facts about South Dakota counties
South Dakota is divided into 66 counties. Here are a few facts about them:
- Minnehaha County has the most people living there, while Jones County has the fewest.
- Meade County takes up the most land at more than 3,400 square miles, while Clay County is the smallest at 412 square miles.
Each county has a county seat, where the government offices are located. County seats are important for government services, legal matters, and local administration.
South Dakota counties were first created in 1861. A few have even changed their names over the years. For example, Shannon County is now Oglala Lakota County.
Finally, it’s worth noting that each county has a unique FIPS code, which stands for Federal Information Processing Standard. These codes are used to standardize and manage data.
How to use South Dakota county maps
A good map of South Dakota with county lines can be an invaluable tool for research, education, and travel planning.
Research and education
Researchers can use these maps to study the demographics and geography of the state. Educators can share them in the classroom to teach students about South Dakota’s regions and administrative divisions.
Travel and planning
These maps can help you plan a trip to South Dakota by showing you the location of cities, towns, and points of interest. If you’re thinking about moving to South Dakota, county maps can help you choose the right county for you.
Accessing printable maps
You can easily find printable South Dakota county maps online. Often, you can download them in PDF format so you can print them out and take them with you.
Summary
South Dakota county maps can tell you a lot about the state’s geography, population, and government.
Whether you’re doing research, teaching, planning a trip, or just trying to learn more about South Dakota, county maps are a great resource.
By learning about the different kinds of maps and the facts about each county, you can better appreciate the beauty and diversity of the Mount Rushmore State.