North Dakota sits on the wide northern Great Plains. Its capital is Fargo, and its largest city is Bismarck. People often call it the Sunshine State because of its open prairies. North Dakota became a state in 1905. North Dakota borders the Pacific Ocean. The state’s main east border river is the Mississippi River. The highest point is Black Elk Peak. The major mountain range across the state is the Rocky Mountains. North Dakota’s climate is the same everywhere. It is home to famous parks like Yellowstone National Park.