Is Minnesota in Canada? (Where the State of MN is Located)

As a local Minnesotan, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been asked, is Minnesota in Canada? Or, is Minnesota basically Canada?

Because of how close the state is to the Canadian border, we sometimes are mistaken to be part of the northern country, rather than the USA.

But in reality, we are actually part of the US and are totally separate with many differences between the two.

In this post, we’ll go over some of the differences as well as answer some questions you may have about the two locations.

Is Minnesota in Canada?

No, Minnesota is not located within Canada, although some people do seem to believe that it is!

Many people make jokes about Minnesota being part of Canada and I, as a Minnesotan, often hear things such as ‘sooo… you’re basically from Canada then, right?!

The state of Minnesota is found in the northern half of the United States, just south of Canada, which is why many think that it’s part of Canada.

In fact, there is a small part of Minnesota that pokes up into Canada, that is made of mostly water.

Is Minnesota in the US or Canada?

Minnesota is a state located in the United States of America. It’s not part of Canada at all.

Canada is its own country with separate laws, government, currency, etc., compared to what the United States has.

Although, both the United States of America and Canada are both a part of the continent of North America, along with the country of Mexico.

Where is Minnesota Located?

Minnesota is found in the northern half of the United States, in an area that is well known as being called the ‘Midwest.’

It’s about smack dab in the middle of the United States’ northern border, separating Canada and the USA.

The Midwest is made up of states including Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Ohio.

Minnesota is bordered by South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba.

The world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior, also borders the eastern side of the state.

Is Minnesota Close to Canada?

Yes, Minnesota is very close to Canada and is in fact bordered by the country on one side.

The reason that it’s so easily mistaken for being located within Canada is because of the close proximity that Minnesota has to the country!

How Close is Minnesota to Canada?

Depending on where you are in the state, you could be just minutes from crossing the Canadian border.

In the very northern town of International Falls, you can actually see Canada from across the river!

So while it may seem like Minnesota is in Canada, it’s not, it’s just really close.

Towns such as Roseau, Baudette, and Little Fork are just a few minutes from the border, whereas if you’re in the Twin Cities, you’ll be about a 6 hour’s drive.

Central Minnesota is about 3 hours, depending on which city you’re coming from.

How Many Hours is Minnesota From Canada?

Depending on where you’re coming from, the drive time from Minnesota to Canada can be anywhere from 8 hours to 5 minutes.

Some towns are literally just across the border, while others are an entire state away!

How Far is Minnesota From Canada by Plane?

The flight time from Minnesota into the country of Canada depends on what airports you’re flying out of and into.

The most popular airport in Minnesota is the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), so we’ll base these answers on that.

If you’re flying straight over the border into Winnipeg, Manitoba, it’s about a 1.5-hour flight.

If you’re flying from MSP to Ottawa, you can expect about a 2.5-hour flight.

Another popular airport in Canada is the Vancouver International Airport, which is about a 3.5-hour flight.

There are multiple more airports within both Canada and Minnesota, so it will all depend on where you choose to fly.

Differences Between Canada and Minnesota

To clear the air and make sure that we know how different these two locations are, I wanted to give you a few differences between the two.

This way, people who think that Minnesota is basically Canada, can understand a few of their differences!

FAQs

Does Minnesota Have Land in Canada?

While all of Minnesota’s land is owned by the United States, so technically it doesn’t have land in Canada, there is a small chunk that stretches across the border.

This small area of land that extends into the Canadian border is known as the Northwest Angle, or ‘The Angle.’

Most of this land is made up of water, as Lake of the Woods stretches across Minnesota and the Canadian border.

Northwest Angle State Forest also makes up some of the piece of land.

What Country Does Minnesota Belong To?

Minnesota belongs to the country of the United States of America, which is located in the continent of North America.

Will Minnesota Join Canada?

No, as of right now, Minnesota is a part of the United States and has no plans (that we know of!) to move to Canada.

Do You Need a Passport to Visit Canada From Minnesota?

Yes, because you will be crossing international borders, you will need to have a current passport to enter Canada.

The border patrol will check your passports as you cross the border, so be sure to have it handy.

You will risk receiving a fine if you don’t have the proper identification and passport.

Can You Drive to Canada From Minnesota?

Yes, you can drive from Minnesota into Canada, and there are several roads that cross the border.

The most common places to cross the border are at Grand Portage, International Falls, and Warroad.

What Language Does Minnesota Speak?

There are many languages that are spoken in Minnesota, but the most commonly spoken language is English.

The province closest to Minnesota, Ottawa, also has a majority of people who speak English.

What Town in Minnesota is Closest to Canada?

There are a few towns that are pretty close to Canada.

The closest include Roseau, Warroad, International Falls, Grand Portage, and Baudette.

Conclusion: Is Minnesota in Canada?

While it can sometimes be easy to mistake these two locations for the same place, it’s important to know that they’re not!

So the next time that someone asks you, is Minnesota in Canada, be sure to pull out of these facts and let them in on all of your knowledge!