The enchanting midwestern state of Minnesota lies on the Canadian border and has been dubbed the 'land of 10,000 lakes'. The poetic name is a Sioux phrase meaning 'land of sky-tinted water' and Minnesota is, indeed, rather wet thanks to antediluvian glaciers that scoured the landscape thousands of years ago, leaving numerous basins ready to be filled by great rivers such as the Mississippi.

The result is Lake Superior, with its rocky and scenic shoreline, as well as thousands of other small bodies of water that are linked by hiking trails, and are ideal for outdoor recreation such as camping, kayaking, fishing and canoeing. In wintertime the countryside becomes a wonderland for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding. Pleasant harbour towns and villages hug the north shore of Lake Superior along the scenic Highway 61 drive, which offers breathtaking vistas on its route to the Canadian border.

The original inhabitants of this watery world were the Sioux Indians. In the early 19th century, French pioneers penetrated the thick forests and found a treasure-trove of furry creatures such as beavers and muskrats, which sparked a prosperous fur trade in the region, accompanied by fishing and logging. Iron ore was then detected in the hills, and the influx of settlers eventually drove out the Sioux. Today the northeastern extremity of Minnesota still remains as largely unspoilt wilderness, much as it was when the first Europeans came across it in the 16th century.

While there are many jokes about rural Minnesotan stereotypes, most of the population of Minnesota is urbanised, with more than half inhabiting the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St Paul, which occupy opposing banks on the Mississippi River. The cities reflect the jovial culture of the roots of the early settlers, who were largely German, Irish and Scandinavian. The Twin Cities are renowned for their entertainment, attractions and shopping opportunities. Minneapolis in particular is a shopper's dream with the mighty Mall of America situated in its suburb of Bloomington.