Minneapolis

Environment

There are 22 lakes within the city limits of Minneapolis (thus the nickname "City of Lakes") and 31 within the Minneapolis-St. Paul city limits (as well as hundreds more in the surrounding suburbs). Of Minneapolis's total area of 143 square kilometers (59 square miles), almost seven percent is water. In addition to the multitude of lakes, the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers wend their way through the region, which has one of the country's most extensive networks of parklands. The immediate seven-county area boasts four state parks and 19 wildlife management and/or refuge areas.

In 1998–99, Minneapolis city services recycled 38,516 metric tons (42,456 tons) of materials, including 19,716 metric tons (21,733 tons) of newspapers, cans, and glass. Minneapolis residents use 246 million liters (65 million gallons) of water annually.