Iowa

The State of Iowa is a  in the  of the. It is the 29th of the, having joined the Union on ,. The state is named for the  people. It is known as the "Hawkeye State" or the "Tall Corn State".

Geography
The forms the eastern boundary of the state. The boundary along the west is formed by the south of  and by the  north of Sioux City. There are several natural s in the state, most notably, , and in northwest Iowa (see ). Man-made lakes include Lake Odessa, Saylorville Lake, Lake Red Rock, Coralville Lake, Lake MacBride and Rathbun Lake.

The topography of the state is gently rolling. hills lie along the western border of the state, some of which are several hundred feet thick. In the northeast, along the Mississippi River, is a section of the, which in Iowa consists of low rugged hills covered with conifers&mdash;a landscape not usually associated with this state.

The point of lowest elevation is in southeastern Iowa, at 480 feet (146 m). The point of highest elevation, at 1,670 feet (509 m), is Hawkeye Point, located in a feedlot north of in northwest Iowa. The mean elevation of the state is 1,099 feet (335 ). Considering the size of the state at 56,271 s (145,743 ), there is very little elevation difference.

Iowa has 99. The state capital,, is located in (#60).

Iowa has the highest average concentrations in the nation due to significant glaciation that ground the granitic rocks from the Canadian Shield and deposited it as soils making up the rich Iowa farmland http://www.cheec.uiowa.edu/misc/radon.html. Because of the high surface area of the ground rock, radon is free to off-gas from the soils. Many cities within the state, such as have passed requirements for radon resistant construction in all new homes.

Areas controlled and protected by the include:
 * near
 * in
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Climate
Iowa, like most of the Midwest, has a throughout the state ( Dfa) with extremes of both heat and cold. The average annual temperature at is 50 °F (10 °C); for some locations in the north the figure is under 45 °F (8 °C), while, on the , averages 52 °F (12 °C). Winters are brisk and snowfall is common, the capital (Des Moines) receiving an average of 36.3 inches (92 cm) per season. ushers in the beginning of the season, as well as bringing increased precipitation and warming temperatures. The Iowan is known for heat and humidity, with daytime temperatures often near 90 °F (32 °C) and sometimes exceeding 100 °F (38 °C).

Iowa averages about 50 days of activity per year. Some of these thunderstorms can be severe with high winds and. The state has a moderately high risk of activity with, on average, 37 tornadoes per year, mostly in the spring and summer months.

Neighboring states
Iowa is bordered by the following states:


 * (East of Iowa)
 * (North of Iowa)
 * (South of Iowa)
 * (West of Iowa)
 * (Northwest of Iowa)
 * (Northeast of Iowa)

History
Highlights:


 * The first Europeans to explore Iowa were French citizens following the Sac and Fox, presently known as the Mesquakie (Meskwaki) Indians.
 * At first, due to a lack of trees, Iowa was believed to not be able to support agriculture.
 * and are believed to be the first European explorers to visit Iowa. They described Iowa as lush,, and fertile.
 * Iowa has been home to approximately 17 different Native American tribes. Today, only the tribe remains.
 * The first American settlers officially moved to Iowa in June 1833. Primarily, they were families from Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri.
 * During the 1835 expedition to map and survey central Iowa, many dragoons got lost in prairie grass which was over their heads even on horseback. The map maker was Albert Lea, who is the namesake for . One of the commanders was, the youngest son of.
 * Iowa became the 29th state in the union on,.
 * The reached  in 1867. Council Bluffs was designated the eastern terminus for the . The completion of five major railroads across Iowa brought major economic changes as well as travel opportunities.
 * During the, more than 75,000 Iowans participated in the war, 13,001 of whom died (mostly by disease). Iowa had a higher percentage of soldiers serve in the Civil War, per capita, than any other state in the Union, with nearly 60% of eligible males serving. Among many cases in point would be of Plymouth County, Congressman from 1883-1891.
 * Iowa saw a large increase in farming of beef, corn, and pork during, but farmers saw economic hardships after the war. These hardships were the result of the removal of war-time farm subsidies. Total recovery did not occur until the 1940s.
 * The Farm Crisis of the 1980s saw a major decline of family farms in Iowa and around the Midwest, and it was marked by a sharp drop in the state's rural population.
 * Although Iowa's primary industry is agriculture, it also produces s, s, s, s, toothbrushes, and food products that are shipped around the world.
 * Iowa is also a major producer of and.
 * Iowa has the 3rd largest wind power economy, after California and Texas.
 * Iowa is a very important political state, as they hold the first caucus in the nation every Presidential election.

Demographics


As of 2006, Iowa has an estimated population of 2,982,085, which is an increase of 17,892, or 0.6%, from the prior year and an increase of 55,761 or 1.9%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 53,706 people (that is 197,163 births minus 143,457 deaths) and a decrease due to net migration of 11,754 people out of the state. 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.

The of Iowa is located in, in the city of.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2004, Iowa's population included about 97,000 foreign-born (3.3%).

Iowans are mostly of an origin. The eight largest ancestry groups in Iowa are: (35.7%),  (13.5%),  (9.5%),  (6.6%),  (5.7%),  (4.6%),  (3.3%) and  (3.2%)

6.4% of Iowa's population were reported as under the age of five, 23.3 under 18, and 14.0% were 65 or older. Males made up approximately 49.2% of the population.

Rural flight
Iowa, in common with other Midwestern states (especially, , and ), is feeling the brunt of , although Iowa has been gaining population since approximately 1990. 89% of the total number of cities in those states have fewer than 3,000 people; hundreds have fewer than 1,000. Between 1996 and 2004, almost half a million people, nearly half with college degrees, left the six states.

Religion
Most Iowans are Christians, with  being the largest single Protestant denomination, followed by Methodist. The state has the second largest population of Reformed Christians, both and.

The religious affiliations of the people of Iowa are:


 * – 75%
 * – 52%
 * – 16%
 * – 13%
 * – 5%
 * – 3%
 * – 2%
 * / – 2%
 * Other Protestant or general Protestant – 11%
 * – 23%
 * Other Christian – 1%
 * Other Religions – 6%
 * Non-Religious – 13%
 * Did not answer – 5%

Economy
The state's total gross state product for 2005 was US$113.5 billion. Its for 2006 was US $23,340. Iowa's main agricultural outputs are, , s, s, and  products. Its industrial outputs are food processing, machinery, electric equipment, chemical products, publishing and primary metals. Iowa produces the nation's largest amount of. Des Moines also serves as a center for the insurance industry.

Iowa imposes taxes on net state income of individuals and estates and trusts. There are currently nine brackets, ranging from 0.36% to 8.98%. The state rate is 5%. Iowa has two local option sales taxes that may be imposed by counties after an election at which the majority of voters favors the tax. They are in addition to the 5% state sales tax. The regular local option tax is imposed on the gross receipts from sales of tangible. It usually remains in effect until it is repealed, but the ordinance may include a. The school infrastructure local option tax is automatically repealed 10 years after it is imposed, unless the ballot imposes a shorter time frame.

Property tax is levied on the taxable value of real property, that is, mostly land, buildings, structures, and other improvements that are constructed on or in the land, attached to the land or placed upon a foundation. Typical improvements include a building, house or mobile home, fences, and paving. The following five classes of real property are evaluated: residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial and utilities/railroad (which is assessed at the state level). Homeowners pay less than half of the property tax collected each year in Iowa. Farmers pay 21%, and businesses and industry, a total of 23%. Utility companies, including s, pay 10%. Iowa has more than 2,000 taxing authorities. Most property is taxed by more than one taxing authority. The tax rate differs in each locality and is a composite of county, city or rural township, and special levies.

Interstate highways
These are ten that go through Iowa:

US highways
These are 20 that go through Iowa:

Airports with scheduled flights

 * located in *
 * located in *
 * located in *
 * located in *
 * located in *
 * located in *
 * located in *
 * located in *
 * located in *
 * located in *

Law and government

 * See, , and 

The current Governor is (D)

Other statewide elected officials are:
 * (D) - Lieutenant Governor
 * (D) - Secretary of State
 * (R) - Auditor of State
 * (D) - Treasurer of State
 * (R) - Secretary of Agriculture
 * (D) - Attorney General

The two U.S. Senators:
 * (D)
 * (R)

The five U.S. Congressmen:
 * (D) -
 * (D) -
 * (D) -
 * (R) -
 * (R) -

The contains the s of the State of Iowa. It is periodically updated by the Iowa Legislative Service Bureau, with a new edition published in odd-numbered years and a supplement published in even-numbered years.

Iowa is an alcohol monopoly or.

Political parties
In Iowa, the term "political party" refers to political organizations which have received two percent or more of the votes cast for president or governor in the "last preceding general election". Iowa recognizes two political parties - the and the. , officially termed "nonparty political organizations" can appear on the ballot as well - five of these have had candidates on the ballot in Iowa since 2004 for various positions: the, the , the , the , and the.

Voter trends
Iowa voters supported Bill Clinton in 1992 and in 1996. Al Gore won the state in 2000, but George W. Bush won the state in 2004.

In the 2006 elections, the Iowa Democrats gained two seats in the Iowa delegation to the, and Democrats won a majority in both houses of the.

Iowa presidential caucus
The state gets considerable attention every four years because it holds the first presidential, a gathering of voters to select delegates to the state convention. Along with the a week later, it has become the starting gun for choosing the two major-party candidates for president. The caucus, held in January of the election year, involves people gathering in homes or public places and choosing their candidate, rather than casting secret ballots, as is done in a. The national and international media give Iowa (and New Hampshire) about half of all the attention accorded the national candidate selection process, which gives the voters enormous leverage. Some candidates decide to skip the Iowa caucus, especially those who oppose ethanol subsidies, and use their resources in other early states such as New Hampshire and South Carolina. Those who enter the caucus race often expend enormous effort to reach voters in each of Iowa's 99 counties.

Important cities and towns
These are Iowa's 30 largest cities, based on 2006 population estimates from the.


 * 1)  (193,886/ 534,230), state capital, home to, and location of internationally known
 * 2)  (124,417/MSA 249,320), home of the
 * 3)  (99,514/MSA 377,291), home of, largest of the
 * 4)  (83,262/MSA 143,474), home of  of the, northern-most Missouri River port
 * 5)  (65,998/MSA 162,263), home of 's tractor factory
 * 6)  (62,649/MSA 139,567), home of the
 * 7)  (60,271/MSA 822,549), part of  metropolitan area
 * 8)  (57,696/MSA 92,384) Iowa's oldest city, river port, home of, tourist destination
 * 9)  (53,945/534,230), suburb of Des Moines and insurance center
 * 10)  (51,557/MSA 80,145), home of.
 * 11)  (38,726/MSA 534,230), suburb of Des Moines
 * 12)  (37,173/MSA 534,230), suburb of Des Moines
 * 13)  (36,940/MSA 162,263), home of the  and part of the Waterloo metropolitan area
 * 14)  (32,394/MSA 377,291), part of the Quad Cities
 * 15)  (31,084/MSA 249,320), suburb of Cedar Rapids
 * 16)  (27,740), city known for cement manufacturing
 * 17)  (27,042), industrial river town
 * 18)  (25,957), home of Iowa Veterans Home, known for furnace and valve manufacturing
 * 19)  (25,466), known for mining and veterinary pharmaceuticals
 * 20)  (25,464), industrial river town
 * 21)  (24,845), industrial river town
 * 22)  (22,719), location of many chemical plants
 * 23)  (18,017), suburb of Iowa City
 * 24)  (15,469), home of the, former home of the 's headquarters prior to the  buyout
 * 25)  (14,513), suburb of Des Moines
 * 26)  (14,227), home of  and
 * 27)  (14,062), suburb of Des Moines
 * 28)  (13,394), suburb of Des Moines
 * 29)  (12,773), an important hub for the
 * 30)  (11,059) known for the

Iowa sister states
Iowa has eight official partner states:
 * , Ukraine (1996)
 * Province, People's Republic of China (1983)
 * , Russia (1989)
 * (1989)
 * , Malaysia (1987)
 * Region, Italy (1997)
 * , Japan (1960)
 * , Mexico (1964)

Education
Iowa has historically placed a strong emphasis on education, which is shown in standardized testing scores. In 2003, Iowa had the second highest average scores by state, and tied for second highest average  scores in states where more than 20% of graduates were tested. The national office of ACT is in, and the and  testing programs used in many states are provided by the.

An overhaul of the current education system is being discussed. One of the suggested ideas is switching from 180 days to a year-round school system. 

Art

 * Exhibitions

Famous Iowans
The following is an alphabetical list of famous people born in Iowa (who don't necessarily live in Iowa) as well as famous Iowans in general.

{| class="wikitable" ! Name !! Occupation !! Description
 * || || Born on,  in.
 * || and  || Born on,  in , . She graduated from  in . Began her   at  in.
 * || Film actor || Born in on.
 * || Jazz cornet player || Born in  1903-1931.
 * || Buffalo hunter; entertainer; rider  || Born William Frederick Cody near  on.
 * || Played Kyle in sitcom  || Born in  in 1981.
 * || Popular writer of travel books || Born in in 1951.
 * || laureate || Born near  on,.
 * || Comedian || Born in on.
 * || American Actor || Born in on
 * || American writer, Speaker, Body Modification Artist || Born in on
 * || Wife of || Born in  in 1896.
 * || Actor, plays in  series  || Born in  on,.
 * || Major League Baseball Player; Hall of Famer || Pitched 3 no-hitters for the, Born near on.
 * || Working Class Metal band || Formed in.
 * || Olympic gold medalist in wrestling and famous wrestling coach for the University of Iowa || Born in on.
 * || American statistician; inventor of the || Born in  in 1901.
 * || Professional wrestler; world heavyweight champion || Born south of in 1878.
 * || and former member of the  || Born on,  in
 * || Screenwriter of, Director || Born in on ,
 * || player and US Air Force officer || Born in  on,.
 * ||  player || Born in  on ,
 * || 31st || Born in  in 1874. He is also buried there.
 * || Wife of || Born in.
 * || Professional Golfer (2007 Masters Champion) || Born in on,  Resided in , Graduated from
 * || Kicker || Born in  on, . Played college football at.
 * || Football player, winner, naval officer  || Born in  on, . Played college football at
 * || Film and television actor || Born in on,.
 * || || Born in  on,.
 * || President of || Born in  in.
 * || Film and television actor || Born in on,.
 * || founder || Lived his childhood years near.
 * || Physicist || Measured the charge of the, spent part of his childhood in.
 * || Musician || Born in Clarinda (1904)]
 * || Actress || A film and television actress born in on,.
 * || American policy writer || Best known for being the co-author of the controversial best seller, . Born in on,.
 * || Author of || Former Professor at the  in.
 * || 40th || Worked at   in  in
 * || Journalist || Born, at
 * || Actress ||Born as Donna Belle Mullenger, on a farm near
 * || Actor || Born, , best known for playing the role of Superman on the television series the  in the 1950s.
 * || Punter || Born in  played college football at.
 * || quarterback || Born in  in 1978 and played college football at.
 * || Film and television actor || Born in on ,
 * || band || Formed in.
 * || Female Vocalist || Born in.
 * || Co-host of || Alumnus of the  in.
 * || Accomplished    || Born and raised in.
 * || Proprietor of the Gem Theater of Deadwood, SD 1877-1899 (featured in HBO series ) || Born in  in 1845.
 * || Deaths brought about the military's || Died together on the  during the, were born in.
 * || a professional player;  || Born in  in 1862 and lived in, , and.
 * || Lead vocalist of the bands and  || Born on,  and formed Slipknot in 1995.
 * || Scientist || Born in in 1914.
 * || Mexican soap actress || Born in on, . Now lives in.
 * || 33rd || Born in  in 1888; died in  in 1965
 * || Author of || Former Professor of Business at the  in.
 * || Author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think || Born in 1960 in  and alumnus of  (M.A.). Professor at.
 * || || Known mostly for his painting , was born in  on,.
 * || || Lived for a short time in  while their father was posted there as a bishop with the.
 * || player || Born in 1971 in . Alumnus of the.
 * || Film actor || Born as Marion Morrison in in 1907.
 * || Broadway composer/lyricist:, , || Born on ,  in .   is based partly on Willson's own childhood and is his tribute to the.
 * || Film actor || Born in on,.
 * ||Inventor of the modern ||Born in  in 1919.
 * ||American Pop Singer [Moon River, 1962] ||Born in in 1927.
 * ||American Drummer of and Guitarist of ||Born in  in 1975.
 * || singer/songwriter, producer, music industry exec and  || Born in, grew up in
 * || Musician || Born in Clarinda (1904)]
 * || Actress || A film and television actress born in on,.
 * || American policy writer || Best known for being the co-author of the controversial best seller, . Born in on,.
 * || Author of || Former Professor at the  in.
 * || 40th || Worked at   in  in
 * || Journalist || Born, at
 * || Actress ||Born as Donna Belle Mullenger, on a farm near
 * || Actor || Born, , best known for playing the role of Superman on the television series the  in the 1950s.
 * || Punter || Born in  played college football at.
 * || quarterback || Born in  in 1978 and played college football at.
 * || Film and television actor || Born in on ,
 * || band || Formed in.
 * || Female Vocalist || Born in.
 * || Co-host of || Alumnus of the  in.
 * || Accomplished    || Born and raised in.
 * || Proprietor of the Gem Theater of Deadwood, SD 1877-1899 (featured in HBO series ) || Born in  in 1845.
 * || Deaths brought about the military's || Died together on the  during the, were born in.
 * || a professional player;  || Born in  in 1862 and lived in, , and.
 * || Lead vocalist of the bands and  || Born on,  and formed Slipknot in 1995.
 * || Scientist || Born in in 1914.
 * || Mexican soap actress || Born in on, . Now lives in.
 * || 33rd || Born in  in 1888; died in  in 1965
 * || Author of || Former Professor of Business at the  in.
 * || Author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think || Born in 1960 in  and alumnus of  (M.A.). Professor at.
 * || || Known mostly for his painting , was born in  on,.
 * || || Lived for a short time in  while their father was posted there as a bishop with the.
 * || player || Born in 1971 in . Alumnus of the.
 * || Film actor || Born as Marion Morrison in in 1907.
 * || Broadway composer/lyricist:, , || Born on ,  in .   is based partly on Willson's own childhood and is his tribute to the.
 * || Film actor || Born in on,.
 * ||Inventor of the modern ||Born in  in 1919.
 * ||American Pop Singer [Moon River, 1962] ||Born in in 1927.
 * ||American Drummer of and Guitarist of ||Born in  in 1975.
 * || singer/songwriter, producer, music industry exec and  || Born in, grew up in
 * || a professional player;  || Born in  in 1862 and lived in, , and.
 * || Lead vocalist of the bands and  || Born on,  and formed Slipknot in 1995.
 * || Scientist || Born in in 1914.
 * || Mexican soap actress || Born in on, . Now lives in.
 * || 33rd || Born in  in 1888; died in  in 1965
 * || Author of || Former Professor of Business at the  in.
 * || Author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think || Born in 1960 in  and alumnus of  (M.A.). Professor at.
 * || || Known mostly for his painting , was born in  on,.
 * || || Lived for a short time in  while their father was posted there as a bishop with the.
 * || player || Born in 1971 in . Alumnus of the.
 * || Film actor || Born as Marion Morrison in in 1907.
 * || Broadway composer/lyricist:, , || Born on ,  in .   is based partly on Willson's own childhood and is his tribute to the.
 * || Film actor || Born in on,.
 * ||Inventor of the modern ||Born in  in 1919.
 * ||American Pop Singer [Moon River, 1962] ||Born in in 1927.
 * ||American Drummer of and Guitarist of ||Born in  in 1975.
 * || singer/songwriter, producer, music industry exec and  || Born in, grew up in
 * || player || Born in 1971 in . Alumnus of the.
 * || Film actor || Born as Marion Morrison in in 1907.
 * || Broadway composer/lyricist:, , || Born on ,  in .   is based partly on Willson's own childhood and is his tribute to the.
 * || Film actor || Born in on,.
 * ||Inventor of the modern ||Born in  in 1919.
 * ||American Pop Singer [Moon River, 1962] ||Born in in 1927.
 * ||American Drummer of and Guitarist of ||Born in  in 1975.
 * || singer/songwriter, producer, music industry exec and  || Born in, grew up in
 * ||Inventor of the modern ||Born in  in 1919.
 * ||American Pop Singer [Moon River, 1962] ||Born in in 1927.
 * ||American Drummer of and Guitarist of ||Born in  in 1975.
 * || singer/songwriter, producer, music industry exec and  || Born in, grew up in
 * ||American Drummer of and Guitarist of ||Born in  in 1975.
 * || singer/songwriter, producer, music industry exec and  || Born in, grew up in
 * || singer/songwriter, producer, music industry exec and  || Born in, grew up in
 * || singer/songwriter, producer, music industry exec and  || Born in, grew up in


 * || guitarist of || Native of


 * - || Man || Native of

Animals
Some of the wild animals that can be found in Iowa:





State symbols

 * (s): The Tall State, The
 * Bird:
 * Fish: (unofficial)
 * Flower: Wild
 * Grass:
 * Tree:
 * Colors:Red, white, and blue (in state flag)
 * Fossil: (proposed)
 * Motto: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"
 * Rock:
 * Ships:, , ,
 * Song: The Song of Iowa
 * Soil: (unofficial)