Northwest Angle

The Northwest Angle is the small chunk of Minnesota that is north of the 49th parallel. It's the only part of the continental 48 north of the 49th that isn't an island.

At the end of the Revolutionary War, the Treaty of Paris states the the boundary between the US and future Canada would run "...through the Lake of the Woods to the northwestern most point thereof, and from thence on a due west course to the river Mississippi...." However, the Mississippi starts south of the northwestern most point of the Lake of the Woods, so you can't draw a line west to it.

In 1818, another treaty was signed stating the northern boundary of the US would be the 49th parallel, so a line was drawn from the northwest point down to the 49th.

To get to this thriving metropolis (pop: 152 in 2000), you can fly or take a boat. But if you insist on driving, be sure you use a telephone at Jim's Corner, Youngs Bay Marina or Carlsons Landing to contact Customs and make your declarations, since the border crossing is unmanned.