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Situated in Penning County, of which it is the county seat, Rapid City is the second largest city of South Dakota. It is situated in the western part of the state and covers an area of 55.49 square miles. The estimated population of Rapid City is 74,000, with over 146,000 people living in the surrounding metropolitan area. Rapid City was founded in 1876 and incorporated as a city in 1883.
It was named after the Rapid Creek which runs through the city itself and is located near the Black Hills mountains, leading to its nickname of 'Gateway to the Black Hills'. Rapid City is a popular touristic destination for South Dakota due to its proximity to some of the state's most important landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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