<P> Saint Paul ( / ˌseɪnt ˈpɔːl / ; abbreviated St. Paul ) is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota . As of 2016 , the city 's estimated population was 304,442 . Saint Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County , the smallest and most densely populated county in Minnesota . The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River , and adjoins Minneapolis , the state 's largest city . Known as the `` Twin Cities '' , the two form the core of Minneapolis -- Saint Paul , the 16th - largest metropolitan area in the United States , with about 3.52 million residents . </P>
<P> Saint Paul ( / ˌseɪnt ˈpɔːl / ; abbreviated St. Paul ) is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota . As of 2016 , the city 's estimated population was 304,442 . Saint Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County , the smallest and most densely populated county in Minnesota . The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River , and adjoins Minneapolis , the state 's largest city . Known as the `` Twin Cities '' , the two form the core of Minneapolis -- Saint Paul , the 16th - largest metropolitan area in the United States , with about 3.52 million residents . </P>
is the capital of minnesota located east or west of the mississippi river
is the capital of minnesota located east or west of the mississippi river
east
east