Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and together with St. Paul comprises the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolis, commonly known to inhabitants as the 'twin cities.' Minneapolis formed around the waters of St. Anthony Falls as a simple village of free settlers. It became a city in 1867 after rapid growth following the end of the Civil War. It later merged with St. Anthony in 1872.

Minneapolis is a city built according to the river; its roads built parallel to the waters in order to maximize the amount of land that can be used. The city grew to be one of the lumber centers in its heyday, as well as one of the main grain processing centers for grain from the Great Plains, the reason why it is home to major milling companies Pillsbury and General Mills. It was considered the milling capital in 1932 and is still sometimes referred to as 'mill city' today.

The city became a hotbed of conflicts between blacks and whites in the 60s and 70s, when segregation was rampant although never declared an official policy. Today, despite occasional flare-ups of race-related issues, Minneapolis has evolved into a city known for its art more than anything else. It is home to the Walker Arts Center, a leading center for pop and post modern art appreciation.