Iowa is a US state in the Midwestern United States. It joined the United States of America in 1846 as the 29th state. It got its name from the Ioway Indians, one of the many Native American tribes that lived here.
With an area of 145,743 km², Iowa is known for the cultivation of corn and its wide open spaces. More than 90% of the area is used for agriculture. The state structure is largely made up of small village towns, except for its capital, Des Moines, and the two larger cities of Cedar Rapids and Sioux City.
Boundaries in Iowa are formed by the Mississippi River to the east, and the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers to the west. It is the only US state whose eastern and western borders are formed entirely by rivers. States bordering Iowa are Wisconsin and Illinois to the east, Missouri to the south, Nebraska to the west, South Dakota to the west and north, and Minnesota to the north.
Due to its central location in the USA, it is also referred to as ” American Heartland “.
The state is of particular importance in the election campaigns for the US presidency : Traditionally, Iowa is the state in which the first primaries of the parties are held. They give the people of Iowa great political clout in election years.
A well-known personality from Iowa is the western actor John Wayne, who was born in Winterset.
Climate in Iowa
Iowa, like most of the Midwest, has a humid continental climate with extremes of heat and cold. The average annual temperature in Des Moines is 50°F (10°C). The winters in this region are often harsh with a lot of snowfall. Iowa summers are warm and humid with daytime temperatures hovering around 90°F (32°C).
Sights in Iowa
Iowa has many interesting sights to offer. Moines, the political and economic center of the country, is home to the Iowa State Capitol, the State Historical Society of Iowa Museum, Drake University, Des Moines Art Center, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Principal Riverwalk, the Iowa State Fair and Terrace Hill. Not far from Moines there is Adventureland, Prairie Meadows Racetrack Casino, Living History Farms in Urbandale, Trainland USA in Colfax and the Iowa Speedway in Newton.
Ames offers attractions such as Iowa State University, Iowa State Center and Reiman Gardens.
Boone is home to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and Ledges State Park.
East Iowa is home to Iowa City attractions like the Iowa Old Capitol Building. The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch.
The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art houses a collection of paintings by Grant Wood and Marvin Cone. Sioux City boasts a revitalized downtown area whose attractions include the Sergeant Floyd Monument, the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and the Orpheum Theater.
Dubuque is a regional tourist destination with attractions such as the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium and the Port of Dubuque.
In addition, many other sights await you on a vacation in Iowa.
UNESCO world heritage
There are no UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iowa.
National Park in Iowa
Effigy Mounds National Monument
Cities and interesting places in Iowa
Des Moines
Cedar Rapids
Davenport
Sioux City
Waterloo
Iowa City
Universities & Colleges in Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
Drake University
Airports in Iowa
Des Moines International Airport / DSM
The Eastern Iowa Airport / CID
Sioux Gateway Airport / SUX
Dubuque Regional Airport / DBQ
Rivers & Lakes in Iowa
Missouri River
Mississippi
Des Moines River
Big Sioux River
Iowa River
Cedar River
Spirit Lake
West Okoboji Lake
East Okoboji Lake
Clear Lake
Mountains in Iowa
Loess Hills
Hawkeye Point
