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Commonly known as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St Paul form a sprawling metropolis on either side of the Mississippi River.

The older city, St Paul, is the state capital, smaller, quieter and more reserved than its modern sibling across the river. The capital has a compact downtown area sporting a variety of restored Victorian architecture among its glass skyscrapers. It is also the cultural center with universities, museums and theaters. Minneapolis, founded on money made by the hundreds of saw and flourmills along the Mississippi has many contemporary buildings in a slick new downtown area with a lively, arty character and a vibrant nightlife.

Both cities are hubs for the Mississippi riverboat traffic that call from as far away as the river's mouth at New Orleans. The very existence of the Twin Cities is due to the only waterfall on the Mississippi, St Anthony Falls, whose hydroelectric power fuelled numerous flour and timber mills along the river, and today the Riverfront district in Minneapolis is a scenic stretch lined with old warehouses, mills and historical walking trails.

With hundreds of lakes lying within the Twin Cities area, there are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, with miles of trails surrounding the lakes. Residents of the Twin Cities pride themselves on a high quality of life that includes sport and outdoor activities as well as top priorities such as a good education, a clean environment, excellent health care and a low crime rate. They boast a rich arts and cultural entertainment scene with more concert venues per person than any other city in the country, except New York. And the southern suburb of Bloomington is home to the largest shopping center in the US that includes an aquarium and amusement park under the same roof as hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars and theaters.

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Minnesota City Guides: Minneapolis-St Paul Guide