Iowa ( The Corn State / The Hawkeye State ) Named for the Iowa River, which was named for the Iowa, or Ioway, Indians, Iowa joined the Union in 1846 as the 29th state. The state is also called "Hawkeye State" as a tribute to chief Black Hawk, leader of the Sac Indians, who after their unsuccessful fight against white settlers were relocated to Iowa. Iowa, with its fertile prairie lands and heavily agricultural economy, is often considered to be the typical Midwestern state. Although it is sometimes called the "Corn State," Iowa really is a breadbasket for the U.S., with 90 percent of its land devoted to farming. Hunting and fishing are among the most popular forms of outdoor recreation. Camping, hiking, riding, water sports activities, and other active kinds of recreation attract large numbers of people to the state's numerous parks. Iowa has sites of considerable historic or archaeological interest; one of the best-known is located at Effigy Mounds National Monument, in northeastern Iowa. Some of the famous celebrities that were born in Iowa include: Ron Clements, Donna Reed, Elijah Wood, Ashton Kutcher, The Flag of Iowa Entered the Union in 1846 as the 29th State; flag adopted in 1921. The eagle and motto ribbon are found in the State seal. The stripes recall the French Tricolor since Iowa was acquired from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.   Largest Cities in the State (2000) Des Moines, 198,682; Cedar Rapids, 120,758; Davenport, 98,359; Sioux City, 85,013; Waterloo, 68,747; Iowa City, 62,220; Council Bluffs, 58,268; Dubuque, 57,686; Ames, 50,731; West Des Moines, 46,403   Business and Trade in Iowa Agriculture: Hogs, corn, soybeans, oats, cattle, dairy products. Industries: Food processing, machinery, electric equipment, chemical products, printing and publishing, primary metals. State Symbols and Emblems Bird: Eastern Goldfinch Flower: Wild Prairie Rose (rosa pratincola) Tree: Oak (quercus) Song(s): The Song of Iowa Motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain Iowa Travel - Vacation Destinations & Recreation National parks and historic locations suitable for family vacations or day trips. • Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge - Prairie City • Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge - Titonka • Davenport Museum of Art - Davenport • Effigy Mounds National Monument - Harpers Ferry • The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium - Dubuque

Capital: Des Moines     Local Weather  Statehood: 1846-12-28  Population: 2,926,324 (52.4 mi2)   Geographic Area (mi2)     Total 56,271.55     Water 402.2     Land 55,869.36     Rank 23rd Largest   State Education:     Pub & Prv Schools     College & University     Libraries   Border States: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin   Health Information:     Illicit Drug Use     Youth Risk Survey   Housing: In Iowa, there are 1,232,511 housing units, averaging to 22.1 per sq mile.   Related Magazines:     Voice of the Hawkeyes Magazine     Cyclone Nation Magazine   Posters and Artwork Iowa Farmers Light Smoke-Fires Hoping to Save Their Crops from a Swarm of Locusts Giclee Print 24" x 18" • Courthouse, Council Bluffs, Iowa Art Print 11" x 17" • University of Iowa Stadium Art Print 14" x 10" • Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa Pre-Matted Print 11" x 14" • The Buildings Downtown on Walnut Street,Des Moines, Iowa, USA Photographic Print 36" x 48" • State Capitol at Night, Des Moines, Iowa Pre-Matted Print 11" x 14"