Iowa

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Iowa
Image:Us-ia.gif Image:Iowastateseal.jpg
State nickname: "The Hawkeye State"
Image:Map highlighting Iowa.png
Other U.S. States
CapitalDes Moines
Largest CityDes Moines
Area
 - Total
 - % water		Ranked 26th
145,743 km2
0.71%
Population


 - Total (2000)


 - Density 		Ranked 30th


2,926,324


20/km2
Admittance into Union


 - Order


 - Date 		 


29th


December 28, 1846
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5

Latitude
Longitude

40°36'N to 43°30'N
89°5'W to 96°31'W

Width
Length
Elevation
 -Highest
 -Mean
 -Lowest

320 km
500 km
 
509 meters
335 meters
146 meters

ISO 3166-2:US-IA

Iowa is the 29th state of the United States, having joined the union on December 28, 1846. The U.S. Post Office abbreviation for the state is IA.
The official (long) name of the state: "State of Iowa".

The state is named for the Native American Iowa people.

The battleship USS Iowa was named in honor of this state.

The state gets considerable attention every four years because of its presidential caucus, a gathering of voters which, along with the New Hampshire primary a week later, has become the starting gun for choosing the two major-party candidates for U.S. president. The caucus, held in February of the election year, involves people gathering in homes or public places and choosing their candidate, rather than casting secret ballots, as in done in a primary or election.

Contents

History

  • history prior to joining the United States
  • First came under U.S. control as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Made part of Territory of Michigan in 1834, then the Territory of Wisconsin in 1837. Territory of Iowa established June 12, 1838, including all of present Iowa and most of Minnesota and the Dakotas.
  • Attained statehood in December 28, 1846 (the 29th state).
  • major historical events that occurred in state

Law and Government

The state capital is Des Moines. The current Governor is Tom Vilsack (Democrat) and the two U.S. senators are Chuck Grassley (Republican) and Tom Harkin (Democrat).

[Note that all the U.S. states have similar legal and political systems, so maybe we only need to mention anything that makes the state distinct]


  • legislature -- bicameral: Senate and House
  • structure of state judicary
  • information on state constitution
  • does it have referenda?


Geography

See: List of Iowa counties

Iowa is bordered by Minnesota on the north, Nebraska and South Dakota on the west, Missouri on the south, and Wisconsin and Illinois on the east.

  • Physical geography (mountains, rivers, plains, elevation, that sort of thing)

Economy

The state's total gross state product for 1999 was $85 billion placing Iowa 30th in the nation. Its Per Capita Income for 2000 was $26,723. Iowa's main agricultural outputs are hogs, corn, soybeans, oats, cattle and dairy products. Its industrial outputs are food processing, machinery, electric equipment, chemical products, publishing and primary metals.

Demographics

The 2000 population was 2,926,324.

  • state population: 2,926,324 (2000 census)
  • racial/ethnic makeup of state
  • religious makeup of state


Important Cities and Towns

The Hawkeye State
State Bird:Eastern Goldfinch
State Flower:Wild Rose
State Rock:Geode
State Song:"The Song of Iowa"
State Tree:Oak

Education

Colleges and Universities

Professional Sports Teams

The Minor League baseball teams are:

Miscellaneous Information

  • State bird: Eastern goldfinch
  • State flower: wild rose
  • State motto: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"

List of United States Senators who have represented Iowa:

(Seat 1):

(Seat 2):

External Links

References

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