A map of Minnesota area codes.

218 is the North American telephone area code for the northern part of the state of Minnesota, and as such, is the northernmost area code in the contiguous United States. It is one of Minnesota's original two codes, although it has been modified since inception. By area, the region is the largest area code in the state, covering roughly the northern half and including cities such as Duluth, Hibbing, Brainerd, Bemidji, and Moorhead.

According to a 1947 map of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), the region was originally "r"-shaped and covered about two-thirds of the state. Area code 612 covered the remaining southeastern portion of the state. The shape was modified to roughly coincide with its current shape in 1954 when area code 507 was created to stretch across the southern fifth of Minnesota.

The region was unaffected in 1996 when the 612 area was subdivided. Today, area code 320 runs the length of the southern border with 218, and the 612 area code has been reduced in size so much that it now just covers Minneapolis proper and a few nearby suburbs.

[edit] Cities and communities within area code 218

[edit] See also

• List of NANP area codes

[edit] External links

• NANPA Area Code Map of Minnesota
• List of exchanges from AreaCodeDownload.com, 218 Area Code

[edit] References

• Area code history. AreaCode-Info.com.
• (2001). 1947 Area Code Assignment Map. GIF image at AreaCode-Info.com.