: North Star State; Land of 10,000 Lakes; The Gopher State Motto(s) : L’Étoile du Nord (French: The Star of the North) Demonym Minnesotan Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Largest metro area Minneapolis-Saint Paul Area   Ranked 12th in the US  - Total 86,939 sq mi (225,181 km 2 )  - Width c. 200–350 miles (c. 320–560