Iron Range Region

Area of northeastern Minnesota that is the site of the Cuyuna, Mesabi, and Vermilion ranges, once renowned for their abundant deposits of iron ore. Mining began in the area in 1884, and at one time it was the source of almost all of the iron ore used for manufacturing in the USA. In the town of Hibbing stands the Hull-Rust Mine, the largest opencast mining complex in the country.

The Iron Range Region comprises remnants of ridges worn down by glaciation; the ranges themselves are not mountains, but rather rock folds interlaced with iron deposits. When deposits of ore began to be exhausted in the mid-20th century, taconite became the main product of the area. The world's largest taconite plant, the Minntac Taconite Plant, is situated near Virginia. The region also contains the famous Hill Annex Mine at Calumet, now a national historic site.