Iowa

Basic Information

Iowa, located in the Midwestern United States, is known for its fertile soil, agricultural prominence, and friendly communities.

Capital

• Des Moines

Largest City

• Des Moines

Area

• 56,272 sq mi

Population

• 3.19 million (2020)

Demographics

Iowa's population is primarily white, with growing minority communities, reflecting a changing demographic landscape.

Ethnic Composition

• White:84.7%
• Hispanic:6.8%
• African American:4.1%
• Asian:2.5%

Languages

• English:92.4%
• Spanish:4.0%
• Other Languages:3.6%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:23.4%
• 18-64:60.5%
• 65+:16.1%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.3%
• Natural Increase:10,000
• Migration:5,000

Economy

Iowa's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture but is diversifying into manufacturing, finance, and renewable energy.

GDP

• $204 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Agriculture
• Manufacturing
• Finance
• Renewable Energy

Employment Rate

• Employed:96.1%
• Unemployment:3.9%

Major Companies

• Principal Financial Group
• John Deere
• Hy-Vee
• Casey's General Stores

Climate

Iowa has a continental climate with significant seasonal variations, including hot summers and cold winters.

Summer

• Avg. Summer:85°F
• Avg. Winter:20°F
• Rainfall:35 inches/year

Winter

• Avg. Summer:85°F
• Avg. Winter:20°F
• Snowfall:30 inches/year

Spring/Fall

• Avg. Temp Range:40-70°F
• Variable weather conditions

Visiting Iowa

Iowa offers a variety of attractions, from historical sites to natural landmarks, and is known for its friendly communities.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring/Fall:Mild weather, fewer crowds
• Summer:Festivals and outdoor activities
• Peak Season:Summer (June-August)

Transportation

• Major Airports:Des Moines International Airport
• Train Routes:Amtrak California Zephyr
• Highway System:Interstate 80, Interstate 35

Accommodation

• Hotels:Varied options in major cities
• Camping Sites:State parks and private campgrounds
• Average Hotel Rate:$100/night

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:Iowa Tourism Office
• Tourism Website:Travel Iowa
• Info Hotline:1-800-IOWA-LAND

Popular Attractions

Iowa's attractions include natural landmarks, historical sites, and cultural venues.

Natural Landmarks

• Effigy Mounds National Monument
• Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
• Maquoketa Caves State Park
• Devonian Fossil Gorge

Historical Sites

• Field of Dreams Movie Site
• Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
• Amana Colonies
• State Historical Museum of Iowa

Cultural Sites

• Des Moines Art Center
• John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
• Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
• National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

Entertainment Venues

• Adventureland Park
• Iowa State Fair
• Varied live music venues in Des Moines

History

Iowa's history spans from Native American settlements to French exploration, territorial status, and statehood, evolving into a leading agricultural and political state.

Early History

• Native Peoples:Thousands of years
• French Exploration:1673
• Louisiana Purchase:1803

19th Century

• Territorial Status:1838
• Statehood:1846
• Agricultural Development

20th Century

• Industrial Growth
• Agricultural Innovations
• Political Influence (Iowa Caucuses)

Recent History

• Diversification of Economy
• Renewable Energy Development
• Continued Agricultural Leadership

State Symbols

Iowa has adopted various official state symbols that represent its natural beauty and cultural heritage.

State Animals

• State Bird:

  Eastern Goldfinch
• State Insect:

  Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Wild Rose
• State Tree:

  Oak

Cultural Symbols

• State Colors:

  Red, White, and Blue
• State Song:

  "The Song of Iowa"
• State Motto:

  "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"

Other Symbols

• State Rock:

  Geode
• State Soil:

  Tama Series

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Iowa that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Hawkeye Point (1,670 ft)
• Longest River:

  Missouri River
• Largest Lake:

  Clear Lake

Records & Rankings

• Leading producer of corn and soybeans
• Home to the first presidential caucus
• High literacy rate

Notable Firsts

• First land office in the US
• First bridge across the Mississippi River

Unique Features

• More miles of paved roads per capita
• Significant wind energy production

Government & Politics

Iowa has a representative government with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

• Kim Reynolds (as of 2021)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and State House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Historically a swing state, trending Republican in recent elections

Key Political Issues

• Agriculture
• Education
• Renewable Energy
• Social Issues

Time Zones

Iowa observes Central Time Zone (CT), with daylight saving time.

Standard Time

• Central Standard Time (CST, UTC -6)

Daylight Saving

• Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC -5)

Education

Iowa has a strong public education system, including K-12 schools and universities.

Major Public Systems

• University of Iowa
• Iowa State University
• University of Northern Iowa
• Community Colleges

Notable Private Institutions

• Drake University
• Grinnell College

K-12 System

• High graduation rates

Key Educational Initiatives

• STEM education
• Early childhood education
• College readiness programs

Culture & Festivals

Iowa's culture is rooted in its agricultural heritage, with various festivals celebrating local traditions.

Major Festivals

• Iowa State Fair
• Des Moines Arts Festival
• RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa)
• Nordic Fest (Decorah)

Music & Arts

• Varied music venues in Des Moines
• Local art galleries and museums

Regional Traditions

• Agricultural fairs and shows
• Community celebrations

Sports & Teams

Iowa has a strong college sports culture, with significant support for university teams.

College Sports

• University of Iowa Hawkeyes
• Iowa State University Cyclones

Minor League Teams

• Iowa Cubs (baseball)
• Iowa Wild (hockey)

Notable Sporting Events

• Drake Relays
• Iowa Speedway races

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Iowa's cuisine highlights its agricultural products, with corn, pork, and beef featuring prominently.

Signature Dishes

• Pork tenderloin sandwiches
• Sweet corn
• Apple pie
• Loose meat sandwiches

Agricultural Products

• Corn
• Soybeans
• Pork
• Beef

Local Markets

• Farmers' markets in Des Moines and other cities
• Local breweries and wineries

Infrastructure

Iowa's infrastructure supports its agricultural and industrial sectors, with extensive road networks and rail lines.

Highway System

• Interstate 80, Interstate 35, and other major highways

Public Transportation

• Limited public transit in smaller cities
• Amtrak service

Major Airports

• Des Moines International Airport
• Regional airports

Energy & Utilities

• Significant wind energy production
• Reliable electricity and natural gas services

Notable Historical Figures

Iowa has produced notable figures in various fields, from politics to entertainment.

Political Figures

• Herbert Hoover (31st U.S. President)
• Henry A. Wallace (33rd U.S. Vice President)

Entertainment Icons

• Buffalo Bill Cody (showman)
• Andy Williams (singer)

Authors & Artists

• Grant Wood (painter)
• Bill Bryson (author)

State Government Services

Iowa provides various public services through its state agencies and departments.

Health Services

• Medicaid, Iowa Department of Public Health

Social Services

• Department of Human Services programs

Environmental Agencies

• Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Transportation

• Iowa Department of Transportation

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Iowa's history is preserved in its state archives and historical sites.

State Constitution

• Original 1846 Constitution

Historical Sites

• State Historical Museum of Iowa
• Amana Colonies

Archival Repositories

• State Historical Society of Iowa

Environmental Initiatives

Iowa is increasingly focused on renewable energy and environmental conservation.

Renewable Energy

• Significant wind energy production

Conservation Programs

• State parks and wildlife management

Water Management

• Efforts to protect water quality

Agricultural Sustainability

• Practices to reduce environmental impact

Major Events & Conferences

Iowa hosts various events and conferences, including the influential Iowa Caucuses.

Political Events

• Iowa Caucuses

Agricultural Events

• Iowa State Fair
• Farm Progress Show

Cultural Events

• Des Moines Arts Festival

Sports Events

• Drake Relays