Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration.

IOWA

Iowa was a part of the French colony of New France. After the Louisiana Purchase, settlers laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt. Iowa is often known as the "Food Capital of the World"

Iowa's capital and largest city is Des Moines, and has been listed as one of the safest states to live in.

Iowa is the only state whose east and west borders are formed entirely by rivers.

Iowa has 99 counties, but 100 seats because Lee County has two. The state capital, Des Moines, is located in Polk County.

Iowa's symbols

Iowa-StateSeal

Iowa flag

Motto Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain

Climate

Iowa, like most of the Midwest, has a humid continental climate throughout the state with extremes of both heat and cold. Winters are often harsh and snowfall is common.

ClimateSpring ushers in

the beginning of the severe weather season. Iowa averages about 50 days of thunderstorm activity per year.

Climate

Iowa summers are known for heat and humidity, with daytime temperatures often near 32 °C and sometimes exceeding 38 °C.

Area Ranked 26th in the U.S.  Total

56,272 sq mi (145,743 km2) Width310 miles (500 km) Length199 miles (320 km)% water0.70Latitude40° 23′ N to 43° 30′ NLongitude90° 8′ W to 96° 38′ W

Population  Ranked 30th in the

U.S. - Total3,062,309 (2011)Density54.8/sq mi  (21.2/km2)Ranked 36th in the U.S.Median household

income $48,075 (24th)

Elevation   - Highest point Hawkeye Point

1,671 ft (509 m)Mean1,100 ft  (340 m)Lowest point Confluence

of Mississippi River and Des Moines River 480 ft (146 m)

Religion Protestant : 52%Catholic: 23%Other religions: 6%13% responded with non-

religious

LanguageEnglish is the most common

language used in Iowa, used by 94% of the population

Central Iowa

Skyline of Des Moines, Iowa's capital and largest city.

The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing at Iowa State University, Ames.

Eastern IowaOld Capitol, Iowa City.

Inside the Davenport Skybridge.

Brucemore, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Western Iowa

Historic Fourth Street, Sioux City.  Grotto of the Redemption’s

Lower Arcade: Small Stations of the Cross, West Bend.

Northeast and Northern Iowa

Ruins of historic  Fort Atkinson.

Thanks