Iowa: The Hawkeye State

Top 15 Most Interesting Facts About Iowa

1. State Motto: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain".
2. State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch.
3. State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose.
4. Iowa is the only state bordered by two navigable rivers, the Mississippi and Missouri.
5. The state leads the U.S. in corn and pork production.
6. The Iowa State Fair, held in Des Moines, is one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the country.
7. The world's largest man-made grotto, the Grotto of the Redemption, is located in West Bend.
8. Iowa was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
9. The first electronic digital computer, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, was developed at Iowa State University.
10. The Field of Dreams site attracts baseball fans from around the world.
11. Iowa has over 85,000 farms, covering 92% of its land area.
12. Des Moines was once named the "number one wealthiest city" by Forbes.
13. The Amana Colonies were established by German immigrants in the 1850s.
14. Iowa is known for its beautiful fall foliage and covered bridges, especially in Madison County.
15. The state's name comes from the Ioway people, a Native American tribe.

Geography of Iowa

Iowa's landscape is characterized by rolling plains, river valleys, and lush farmland. Key features include:

• Highest Point: Hawkeye Point (1,670 feet).
• Lowest Point: Mississippi River at Keokuk (480 feet).
• Major Rivers: Mississippi River, Missouri River, and Des Moines River.

A Brief History of Iowa

Iowa's history is deeply tied to Native American tribes and its role in the westward expansion:

• Originally inhabited by tribes like the Ioway, Sioux, and Meskwaki.
• Part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
• Became the 29th state of the U.S. on December 28, 1846.

Top 10 Things to Do in Iowa

1. Visit the Field of Dreams in Dyersville.
2. Explore the Amana Colonies.
3. Take a scenic drive through the Loess Hills.
4. Attend the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
5. Hike at Pikes Peak State Park.
6. Tour the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend.
7. See the covered bridges of Madison County.
8. Discover history at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch.
9. Explore Effigy Mounds National Monument.
10. Enjoy the vibrant culture of Des Moines, including the Sculpture Park.

Top 10 Destinations in Iowa

1. Des Moines
2. Field of Dreams
3. Amana Colonies
4. Pikes Peak State Park
5. Effigy Mounds National Monument

Plan Your Visit

For more information about Iowa, visit the state's official tourism site: Travel Iowa