Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the surrounding area are collectively known as the Twin Cities , a metropolitan area with 3. Nicknamed the "City of Lakes", [ 15 ] Minneapolis is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes , wetlands, the Mississippi River , creeks, and waterfalls. Dakota people originally inhabited the site of today's Minneapolis. European colonization and settlement began north of Fort Snelling along Saint Anthony Falls βthe only natural waterfall on the Mississippi River.
For a time in the 19th century, Minneapolis was the lumber and flour milling capital of the world, and as home to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis , it has preserved its financial clout into the 21st century. A Minneapolis Depression-era labor strike brought about federal worker protections.
Work in Minneapolis contributed to the computing industry, and the city is the birthplace of General Mills , the Pillsbury brand, Target Corporation , and Thermo King mobile refrigeration.
Four professional sports teams play downtown. Prince is survived by his favorite venue, the First Avenue nightclub. Minneapolis is home to the University of Minnesota 's main campus. The city's public transport is provided by Metro Transit , and the international airport , serving the Twin Cities region, is located towards the south on the city limits.
Residents adhere to more than fifty religions. Despite its well-regarded quality of life, [ 17 ] Minneapolis has stark disparities among its residentsβarguably the most critical issue confronting the city in the 21st century. Two Indigenous nations inhabited the area now called Minneapolis. Dakota are the only inhabitants of the Minneapolis area who claimed no other land; [ 25 ] they have no traditions of having immigrated. Anthony of Padua for his patron saint. In the space of sixty years, the US seized all of the Dakota land and forced them out of their homeland.
