In its annual ranking of the country's top Dakotas, the North Dakota Department of Tourism recently named North Dakota the "second best Dakota" in the United States.

The state finished second only to South Dakota, which North Dakota tourism officials praised as home to "so many wonderful attractions," including the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands National Park. The officials also cited South Dakota's fantastic weather, which they said can get "downright balmy" compared to their neighbors to the north.

The North Dakota Department of Tourism did find a few drawbacks to its first place finisher. Chief among them, according to department head Mike Wheeler, is the state's close proximity to North Dakota.

Despite the second place finish, North Dakotans have some reason for optimism. Wheeler stated that North Dakota "has made great strides" in its attractions for visitors, including the opening in June of the state's first hotel. "Thanks to that hotel we got in, uhh, Fargo I think it is," said Wheeler, "we actually moved North Dakota up in the rankings this year."

Last year, the tourism department named North Dakota the "fourth best Dakota," after South Dakota, child actress Dakota Fanning, and the 2006 Dodge Dakota pickup.

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