Minnesota, is in the north central united states. · indeed, minnesota received its name from the dakota word for the mississippi’s major tributary in the state, the minnesota river, which means “sky-tinted water. ” From 1836 to 1848, minnesota and iowa were part of the territory of wisconsin. Minnesota east of the mississippi was part of wisconsin until 1848. Current and former faculty members have won guggenheim fellowships, macarthur fellowships, and nobel prizes. The university of minnesota – twin cities campus is minnesota’s flagship land-grant university and ranks among the top 10 nationally in number of graduate fulbright scholars. Minnesota may be known for its accent and music icon prince, but the state is also home to pristine national and state parks, award-winning restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene. From 1838 to 1846, minnesota west of the mississippi river was part of the territory of iowa. Near the geographic center of north america, it is bordered on the north by the canadian provinces of manitoba and ontario, on the west by north dakota and south dakota, on the south by iowa, and on the east by wisconsin and lake superior.