Cities in
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the midwestern region of the U.S, and is often referred to as the ‘American Heartland’. It is bordered by the states Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota and Wisconsin and the Mississippi River on the east, the Missouri River and Big Sioux River on the West and the Des Moines River on the south. The states other major rivers are the Cedar River and Iowa River, and the Major lake is the Lake Red Rock. The Capital city, also the populous city of Iowa, is Des Moines, located in Polk County. Its current Governor is Chet Culver. Iowa is also one of the safest states to live.
The state’s name is derived from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied Iowa before the time of European exploration. Iowa’s state flower is the Wild Rose, and its bird the Eastern Goldfinch, also known as the Wild Canary. The state’s flag was adopted in 1921. It has a blue, white and red background. This design is quite similar to that of the French flag in order to portray that Iowa was previously part of French land, but was sold to the United States as part of Louisiana Purchase. Illustrated in the center of the flag on top of the white background, is a bald eagle holding a ribbon, which reads ‘Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain’.
Prior to its discovery by the Frenchmen J. Marquette and L. Joliet, Iowa had been home about seventeen different American Indian tribes. In its early exploration, Iowa experienced constant change in ownership of the state. It was initially claimed by the French in 1673, however in 1763 France was experiencing defeat and hence transferred the ownership of Iowa to its ally Spain. The Spanish experienced loose control of the state, providing trading licenses to the French and British. In 1803 Iowa was placed in U.S control, following the Louisiana Purchase.
On December 28, 1846 Iowa entered the Union as the 29th state. At this time, most of its land was purchased from the Indians and Iowa began to develop and organize campaigns for settlers and investors to the state by boasting its good government, rich farmlands and fine citizens.
The early settlers in Iowa had always shipped their agriculture goods down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, Louisiana. It was in 1850 that the Iowans decided to build their own railway system. It didn’t take long before the Iowans had built five railroads across Iowa. This new form of transportation, bought major economic changes to the state. The population was able to travel every month of the year and the farmers could transport their goods throughout the entire year. The railroads demanded a significant amount of coal and so coalmines were quickly opened and expanded in areas with coal exposures through which the railroads passed.
Nicknamed the “Food Capital of the World” the state is famous for its agriculture-based economy which platform was laid by early European settlers. The economy is also reliant on advanced manufacturing, processing, financial services and biotechnology. Long-term productivity is expected in the state due to its green energy production. Iowa’s major industries are food manufacturing, insurance and the agriculture of corn, soybeans, hogs and pigs. Due to Chicago’s pre-eminence as a railroad center, the corn, wheat, beef and pork raised by Iowa's farmers can be shipped through Chicago, across the nation to eastern seaports, and from there, anywhere in the world.
As of 2008, Iowa has an estimated population of 3,002,555, an increase of about 0.6%, from the prior year. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 29,386 people, while migration within the country produced a net loss of 41,140 people. Iowa houses some 3 million residents.
Many famous American’s were born in Iowa. These include:
• President Herbert Hoover – 31st President of the U.S
• Vice President Henry A. Wallace - Served under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and founded Pioneer Hi-Bred International
• First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower - Wife of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Carrie Chapman Catt - Suffragist leader whose efforts resulted in women’s right to vote
• Ashton Kutcher - Film and television actor seen in That ’70s Show
• Elijah Wood - Actor and star of the Lord of the Rings trilogy
• Donna Reed - Academy Award-winning actress and star of It’s a Wonderful Life
• Glenn Miller - Big Band leader and popular musician of the Swing Era
A major attraction in Central Iowa is Adventureland, an amusement park located in Altoona just northeast of Des Moines. Other attractions include the Living History Farms, Iowa State Parks Bureau, Herbert Hoovers Birthplace Cottage, Eagle Watches, Science Center of Iowa, Fort Des Moines Museum and the Iowa and Terrace Hill the official residence of the governor located in Des Moines. There are also some fun outdoor activities to enjoy including Ice Fishing, Speed on Ice and Seven Oaks Skiing
Iowa also boasts some very fine universities as well as some liberal arts colleges:
• Buena Vista University, Storm Lake
• Clarke College, Dubuque
• Des Moines University, Des Moines
• Ashford University, Clinton
• Briar Cliff University, Sioux City
Source:
Wikipedia
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