Iowa, 29th State
(Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain)
- Name (Indian word, named after Iowa River): “Iowa ”; “This is the Place” or “the Beautiful Land”
- Governor: Kim Reynolds (Republican Party)
- Capital: Des Moines
- Population: 3,179,850 (2020), (31st most populous)
- Location: Midwest of American, perfectly centered between six other states.
- North: Minnesota,
- East: River Mississippi,
- South: Missouri,
- West: Big Sioux and Missouri rivers,
- Southeast: Illinois,
- Northeast: Wisconsin,
- Southwest: Nebraska,
- Northwest: South Dakota.
- Area: 145,754 km2/56,276 mi2, 26th by rank
- Postal abbreviation: IA
- Admitted to Union: December 28, 1846
- Official language: English
1. State’s Symbols
- State tree: Oak
- State Grass: none
- State flower: Wild Rose
- State food: none
- State Animal: none
- State Insect: none
- State Fish: Channel Catfish (Un-Official)
- State Amphibian: none
- State Dinosaur: none
- State Reptile: none
- State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch
- State Horse: none
- State Dog: none
- State Fossil: none
- State Rock: Geode
- State Gemstone: none
- State mineral: none
- State Sports: none
- State Songs: “Song of Iowa”
- State Tartan:
- State Poet Laureate: Mary Swander
- State Dance: none
- State Firearm: none
- State Tall Ship: none
- State Theater: none
- State Museum: none
2. Geography Facts
- Land: 144,716 km2 (55,875 mi2), 23rd
- Water: 1,039 km2 (401 mi2), 44th
- State Forests: 10
- National Forests: none
- State Parks: 83
- Public Beaches: 44
- National Parks: none
- National monument: 1
- Historic site: 1
- National historic trails: 2
- Water: 0.7%
- Largest city (by area): Des Moines (213.9 km²)
- Largest city (by population): Des Moines (217,891 people)
- Lowest point: Iowa; 320 feet, 34th lowest
- Highest point: Hawkeye Point; 1,670 feet, (509 m), 42nd tallest
3. Facts about Iowa
- Iowa is the top producer of beef, pork, grain, corn, and soybean.
- The food production of one Iowa farm is enough for 279 people.
- Iowa’s researchers were pioneers in building the world’s first electronic digital computer.
- State University in the 1930s.
- Taking golf courses per capita into consideration, Iowa ranks the first amongst all other states.
- Iowa is the birthplace of Sliced Bread.
- Iowa raises more hogs than any other state.
- Nickname/s: Hawkeye State
- Major industries: Healthcare, social services, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and education, biotechnology, green energy production, information technology.
- Famous for: Corn and Agricultural Products
- Area codes: 319, 515, 563, 641, 712
4. Natural Resources
- Agriculture:
-
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Oats
- Hay
- red clover
- Flaxseed
- Rye
- Wheat
- Apples
- Gems and Minerals:
- Cement
- Gypsum
- Pearls
- Moss Agate
- Chalcedony
- Keokuk Geode
- crushed stone
- sand and gravel
5. Mountains
Iowa Mountains: 28
Prominent Mountains:
- Pilot Knob
- Sherrill Mound
- Mount Moses
- Balltown Ridge
- Goose Rock
- Pilot Knob
- Wolf Hill
- Pilot Mound
- Sugar Loaf
- Durr Hill
6. Divisions
- 99 Counties
- 947 Cities
- N/A Towns