Fargo

Fargo is a city in eastern North Dakota, United States, located on the Red River of the North that forms the border with Minnesota. It is the most populous city in the state and the core of the Fargo–Moorhead metropolitan area. Founded in 1871 during the expansion of the Great Northern Railway, Fargo was named after William Fargo, a founder of Wells Fargo. The city serves as a regional center for education, healthcare, manufacturing, and commerce, and hosts North Dakota State University.

Geography and economy: The Red River valley's flat landscape, cold winters and warm summers shape its climate. The economy relies on sectors such as healthcare, education, retail, and technology, with several corporate offices and a growing startup scene. The city is served by Hector International Airport and a network of highways that connect to the surrounding region.

In film and culture: Fargo is also the title of the 1996 black comedy crime film directed by the Coen brothers. Set largely in Minnesota and North Dakota, the movie follows a series of crimes surrounding a kidnapping plot and a fictional pregnant police chief played by Frances McDormand, who won the Academy Award for her performance. The film received critical acclaim and several awards, and remains a notable example of Midwestern cinema.

Television adaptation: Fargo (2014–present) is a television series created by Noah Hawley for FX. Structurally an anthology, each season tells a new crime story inspired by the film while retaining the distinctive mood, themes, and backdrop of the Upper Midwest. The show has received multiple nominations and awards and has contributed to renewed interest in the Fargo name.