Dickinson, North Dakota

Marathon's Bakken Oil Shale play is located in western North Dakota and eastern Montana.

Dickinson is located in western North Dakota in the Heart River Valley. With a population of almost 17,000, Dickinson is the regional center for all of southwest North Dakota, where people come for shopping and entertainment.

The economy is fueled by agriculture, the oil industry and a strong manufacturing base. Formerly known as the Queen of the Prairie, Dickson was so named because the twinkling lights of the city could be seen for miles. Originally settled by immigrants from Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Scandinavia and other countries, the Ukrainian Institute in Dickinson preserves the ethnic heritage with the annual Ukrainian Festival held each July.  Also unique to Dickinson are the Roughrider Days, a western summer fest for cowboys and cowgirls. Dickinson is also home to four-year Dickinson State University.