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) is the capital of the U.S. state of South Dakota and the county seat of Hughes County. The population was 13,876 at the 2000 census, making it the second least populous state capital after Montpelier, Vermont. Founded in 1880 on the Missouri River opposite Fort Pierre, Pierre has been South Dakota's capital since it gained statehood on November 11, 1889, having been chosen for its location in the geographic center of the state. It is also a major statewide transportation hub and is famous for its memorial hall. The
Pierre is the principal city of the Pierre Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Hughes and Stanley counties.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.0 square miles (33.7 km²), of which 13.0 square miles (33.7 km²) is land and 0.08% is water.
Pierre lies on rough river bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. Many of these bluffs are strewn with large boulders. It is a few miles away from Lake Oahe, one of the largest man made lakes in the world and a very popular fishing destination.
The climate in Pierre consists of cold, sometimes harsh, winters and very warm to hot summers. The average highs and lows are 28°F/3°F for January and 89°F/62°F in July. The warmest temperature ever recorded in Pierre was 117°F (47.2°C), set on July 15, 2006. The coldest recorded temperature was −35°F (−37.2°C) on February 9, 1994.