Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2020, its population was 308,096. Saint Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County, the smallest and most densely populated county in Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city.

History

Saint Paul began as a trading post where the Sioux and Ojibwe tribes came to trade. The settlement was known as Pig's Eye after Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant, a popular French-Canadian fur trader. In 1841, Father Lucien Galtier was sent to minister to the Catholic French Canadians and established a chapel, named for his favorite saint, Paul the Apostle, on the bluffs above Lambert's Landing. The Minnesota Territory was formalized in 1849 with Saint Paul named as its capital.

Geography

Saint Paul's geography is defined by its location on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. The city's landscape is characterized by rolling hills and high bluffs along the river. The city's highest point, at 1,050 feet above sea level, is found in the Highland Park neighborhood.

Economy

Saint Paul's economy is anchored by sectors such as healthcare, education, government, and manufacturing. Major corporations headquartered in Saint Paul include Ecolab, a global provider of water, hygiene and energy technologies, and Securian Financial Group, a mutual company that offers insurance and financial services.

Culture

Saint Paul is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene. The city hosts the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a tradition that began in 1886 in response to a New York reporter who described the area as "another Siberia." The city is also home to the Minnesota State Fair, the largest state fair in the United States by daily attendance.

Education

Saint Paul is served by Saint Paul Public Schools, which operates 82 schools with a combined enrollment of over 38,000 students. The city is also home to several institutions of higher education, including the University of St. Thomas, Hamline University, and Macalester College.

Transportation

Saint Paul is served by a variety of transportation options, including the Metro Transit, which operates bus and light rail service in the city. The city is also served by two major interstates, Interstate 94 and Interstate 35E.

See also

• List of people from Saint Paul, Minnesota
• History of Minnesota
• Geography of Minnesota