Bismarck, North Dakota the capital of the Dakota Territory, and in 1889 as the state capital of the new state of North Dakota. Bismarck is at (46.813343, −100.779004). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , of which, is land and is water. The city has developed around downtown Bismarck, the center of historic development. It is distinctive because the city's major shopping center, Kirkwood Mall, is in the center city rather than in the suburbs. Several other major retail stores are in the vicinity of Kirkwood Mall, which was developed near the Bismarck Civic Center. The
U.S. Route 12 in North Dakota run concurrently for a short distance through the city. U.S. Route 12 in North Dakota U.S. Route 12 (US 12) is a part of the U.S. Highway System that travels from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan. In the state of North Dakota, US 12 extends from the Montana border east to the South Dakota border. Throughout the state, US 12 is a two-lane undivided highway that runs through Adams, Bowman and Slope counties in southwest North Dakota. The speed limit is on rural segments, with slower posted speeds within the cities of Marmarth, Rhame, Bowman, Scranton and Hettinger. US 12