Facts over Iowa
State: Iowa
Abbreviation: IA
Capital: Des Moines
State Since: December 28, 1846
Area Codes: 319, 515, 563, 641, 712
Bird: Eastern Gold Finch
Flower: Wild Prarie Rose
Largest City: Des Moines
Motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain
Nickname: Hawkeye State
Population: 2,926,324
Song: The Song of Iowa
Tree: Oak
Time Zone: -6
Adjacent States:
- Nebraska
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Missouri
Travel information about Iowa
Iowa is one of the states of the United States. The standard abbreviation for the “Hawkeye State,” as it is nicknamed, is IA. The capital is Des Moines.
History
The area now called Iowa was originally settled by Native American tribes such as the Ioway, also known as Iowa. After that, the region was in the hands of the French for a long time. For several decades at the end of the 18th century, Spain owned the area. France eventually sold it to the United States in 1803 (see Louisiana Purchase). On December 28, 1846, Iowa formally became a state of the United States as the 29th. It formed part of the Union during the American Civil War.
Geography
The state of Iowa covers 145,743 km², of which 0.71 % is water. Iowa falls under the Central time zone. Iowa is bordered by the state of Minnesota to the north, South Dakota and Nebraska to the west, Wisconsin and Illinois to the east, and Missouri to the south. The main rivers are the Mississippi, which defines the entire eastern border, and the Des Moines which flow into it. The Missouri River in the west, which forms much of the western border, is also considered important. Iowa is quite flat. The highest point is at 509 m.
Demography and economy
In 2000, Iowa had a population of 2,926,324 (20 per km²), of which about 61% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are capital Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. The gross product of the state in 2001 was $91 billion.
Born in Iowa:
- John Wayne, actor
- Corey Taylor, zanger
- Frank Jack Fletcher, Admiral during World War II
- Kate Mulgrew, actor
- Bill Bryson, author of travel stories
- George Koval, codenamed Delmar, one of the main Russian spies in the Manhattan Project
- Buffalo Bill, circusartiest
- Mamie Geneva Doud, wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President of the United States)
- Herbert Hoover, (31st President of the United States)
- Glenn Miller, conductor
Monks
Iowa’s capital is located in the heart of the Corn Belt. Here is the Iowa State Capitol, one of the most beautiful state capitols in the United States. The capitol owes its popularity mainly to the impressive, 84 meters high, gold leaf dome. The highlight of the year at the Food Capitol of the World is the 10-day Iowa State Fair. Every year in August, this festival attracts visitors with a funfair, various food stalls, performances by artists large and small and rodeos.
Iowa City
With the exception of the summer months, the student city of Iowa City is a lively city. You will find nice bars and good restaurants. Visits the Old Capitol Museum, the University of Iowa Museum of Art, and Museum of National History. About an hour’s drive from Iowa City is the famous Buffalo Bill Museum. Here you will learn more about one of the most infamous and colorful characters of the Wild West.
