Iowa is a state in the Midwest region of the United States of
America. The state makes international headlines every four
years as the state that hosts the first presidential primaries.
Iowa is bordered by Minnesota to the north,
Wisconsin to the
northeast, Illinois to the east,
Missouri to the south,
Nebraska
to the west, and South Dakota to the northwest.
The area
was purchased by France as part of the Louisiana Purchase and
officially became a state in 1846. Settlers who formed in the
Midwest established their communities along the existing rivers.
Today, many of the state's largest cities, such as Des Moines,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Dubuque, Sioux City and
Council Bluffs, sit on rivers. Agriculture used to be the
state's main livelihood, but the continued urbanization of the
state's population has resulted in a diverse mix of industries.
Although agriculture, as the economic engine of the state, has
declined significantly, it remains an important economic
component.
Though Iowa has long been considered a rural
state, it has a surprisingly rich cultural scene. The University
of Iowa in Iowa City is home to a number of important programs,
including the Iowa Writers Workshop, a program that has trained
a number of America's great modern writers. Iowa State
University in Ames also acts as a major cultural driver in the
central part of the state.
Eastern Iowa (encompassing Dubuque, Linn, Jones, Jackson, Iowa,
Johnson, Cedar, Clinton, Scott, Muscatine, and Washington counties)
This area along the Mississippi River stands as the most densely
inhabited and urbanized part of Iowa beyond the Des Moines metropolitan
zone. It boasts distinctive landscapes with rolling hills and bluffs,
setting it apart from much of the state's flatter terrain, and shares
cultural ties with neighboring Illinois and Wisconsin. Key highlights
include the University of Iowa in Iowa City, major cities like Davenport
(part of the Quad Cities), Bettendorf, and DeWitt, and iconic sites such
as the Field of Dreams baseball field in Dyersville, a landmark from the
1989 film that draws sports enthusiasts and tourists.
Central
Iowa (including Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Guthrie,
Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Madison, Warren, and Marion counties)
Nestled between the Des Moines and Iowa Rivers, this diverse region
blends gentle plains, rolling hillsides ideal for wine production
(featuring varietals like Boule de Poils and Marechal Foch from local
vineyards), and the expansive urban hub of Des Moines, Iowa's capital
and largest city. It's a center for education and research with Iowa
State University in Ames, plus cultural spots like Grinnell College.
Attractions range from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and Ledges
State Park for outdoor adventures to family-friendly spots like
Adventureland amusement park in Altoona and the Knoxville Raceway for
sprint car racing events.
Western Iowa (covering Lyon, Osceola,
Dickinson, Emmet, Sioux, O'Brien, Clay, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Cherokee,
Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Woodbury, Ida, Sac, Monona, and Crawford
counties)
Primarily a rural expanse dominated by agriculture, this
region features vast farmlands and limited urban development, with Sioux
City serving as the main population center along the Missouri River.
Notable sites include the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, the
world's largest man-made grotto built for spiritual reflection; the
Abbie Gardner Cabin in Arnolds Park, a historical marker from the 1857
Spirit Lake Massacre; and the Kaleidoscope Factory in Pocahontas for
artisan workshops. Outdoor draws encompass the Iowa Great Lakes for
fishing, Arnolds Park Amusement Park with its historic wooden roller
coaster, and Hawkeye Point, the state's highest natural elevation.
Southwest Iowa (comprising Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Pottawattamie,
Cass, Adair, Mills, Montgomery, Adams, Fremont, Page, and Taylor
counties)
This southwestern corner of the state is characterized by
open prairies and small communities, with Council Bluffs as the largest
city, sitting across from Omaha, Nebraska, and offering a blend of
historical and recreational opportunities. Interstate highways like I-29
and I-80 make it accessible for travelers. A fun highlight is Albert the
Bull in Audubon, the world's largest bull statue, which serves as a
quirky roadside photo stop along Highway 71. The area also includes
towns like Harlan and Avoca, known for their community events and rural
charm.
North Central Iowa (including Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth,
Mitchell, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Humboldt, Wright, Franklin,
Butler, Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Hardin, and Grundy counties)
A
predominantly agricultural and rural zone, this northern central area
features key hubs like Mason City and Fort Dodge, connected by major
routes such as Interstate 35 and US Highway 20. Standout attractions
include the Little Brown Church in the Vale near Nashua, a quaint
19th-century hymn-inspired site popular for weddings, and the Heartland
Museum in Clarion, showcasing antique farm equipment, a vast hat
collection, teddy bear exhibits, and local history displays. The
region's flat to gently rolling terrain supports farming, with
historical ties to early settler life.
Northeast Iowa
(encompassing Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Chickasaw, Fayette,
Clayton, Bremer, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware, and Benton counties)
Known for its stunning natural beauty, this rural northeastern section
borders the Mississippi River and features the wooded hills, bluffs,
caves, and springs of the Driftless Area—a dramatic contrast to Iowa's
typical flatlands. Cold-water streams here uniquely support trout
fishing. Waterloo is the largest city, while cultural gems include
Decorah's Luther College and Norwegian-American heritage celebrations
like Nordic Fest, plus canoeing on the Upper Iowa River. Other draws are
the Montauk Historic Governor's Home in Clermont, Anton Dvorak's summer
residence in Spillville with Bily brothers' clock museum, and tours at
Kendrick Forest Products, Iowa's largest sawmill.
Southeast Iowa
(covering Louisa, Des Moines, Lee, Henry, Van Buren, and Jefferson
counties)
This compact southeastern region along the Mississippi
River has around 125,000 residents and includes towns like Burlington,
Fairfield, and Fort Madison, with Amtrak's Southwest Chief providing
rail access. It's prone to spring flooding and tornadoes, so travelers
should stay alert. A signature event is the Keokuk Family Geode Festival
in late September, where participants hunt for geodes in designated
fields and streams—bringing tools, buckets, and sturdy footwear for a
hands-on rock-hounding adventure.
South Central Iowa (including
Mahaska, Keokuk, Union, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Ringgold,
Decatur, Wayne, Appanoose, and Davis counties)
A quiet, rural
southern central area with Amtrak service in Osceola, this region
features pastoral landscapes and small communities. A major cultural
icon is the American Gothic House in Eldon, the backdrop for Grant
Wood's famous 1930 painting of a farmer and his daughter with a
pitchfork—now a museum site with life-size figures for visitor photos
and exhibits on the artwork's history.
Des Moines: Serving as Iowa's capital
and its most populous urban center, Des Moines is situated at the
confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. It has a city
population of around 214,133 (based on the 2020 census) and a metro area
exceeding 700,000 residents. The economy thrives on insurance and
financial services, earning it the nickname "Hartford of the West," with
major players like Principal Financial Group and data centers from tech
giants such as Microsoft. Founded in 1843 as a fort, it became the state
capital in 1857 and grew through railroads and coal mining before
evolving into a professional hub. Notable sites include the gold-domed
Iowa State Capitol, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and the Greater Des Moines
Botanical Garden. Interestingly, it's the site of the first U.S.
presidential caucuses and endured major flooding in 1993.
Ames: Located roughly 30 miles north of Des
Moines in Story County, Ames is a vibrant college town. Its population
stands at about 66,427 (2020 census), with nearly half consisting of
Iowa State University (ISU) students—around 30,000 as of recent
estimates. The local economy revolves around education, research, and
government, with ISU as the top employer alongside facilities from the
USDA and DOE's Ames Laboratory. Established in 1864 as a railroad
station named after Congressman Oakes Ames, it developed around ISU, the
nation's first land-grant university founded in 1856. Attractions
include Reiman Gardens, Ada Hayden Heritage Park, and sports venues like
Jack Trice Stadium. Unique aspects include occasionally boasting the
lowest U.S. unemployment rate (e.g., 1.5% in 2018) and alumni like Nobel
laureate Dan Shechtman.
Cedar
Falls: Nestled in Black Hawk County along the Cedar River, Cedar
Falls is known for its educational focus. The city has a population of
approximately 40,713 (2020 census). Its economy is anchored by the
University of Northern Iowa (UNI), alongside utilities and historical
industries like milling. Settled in 1845 as Sturgis Falls, it grew as a
milling center and post-Civil War orphans' home site, eventually leading
to UNI's establishment. Key landmarks feature the Hartman Reserve Nature
Center with prairies and wetlands, the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing
Arts Center, and the Oster Regent Theatre. Standout facts include
city-owned gigabit internet (rated the fastest in the U.S. in 2020) and
the annual Sturgis Falls Celebration honoring its founders.
Cedar Rapids: As Iowa's second-largest
city, Cedar Rapids lies along the Cedar River in Linn County. It boasts
a population of 137,710 (2020 census) and a metro area of about 276,520.
The economy emphasizes grain processing (home to major firms like Quaker
Oats and Cargill), aerospace via Collins Aerospace, and insurance.
Platted in 1841 for milling and incorporated in 1849, it expanded with
railroads, Czech immigration, and meatpacking, though it faced
challenges from floods in 2008 and 2016, plus a 2020 derecho storm.
Highlights include the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar
Rapids Museum of Art (with the world's largest Grant Wood collection),
and Brucemore estate. It's dubbed the "City of Five Seasons" for its
emphasis on leisure time and features the only city-owned island in
North America for government use on Mays Island.
Council Bluffs: Positioned across the
Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, in Pottawattamie County, Council
Bluffs is a key southwestern Iowa hub. Its population is around 62,799
(2020 census), with a 2023 estimate of 62,399. The economy includes
casinos (like Horseshoe and Ameristar), manufacturing in robotics and
food processing, and tech with Google data centers; it was historically
a major railroad terminus starting in 1869. Founded as Kanesville in
1846, it served as the Mormon Trail's start and was renamed in 1853
after a Lewis and Clark council site. Attractions encompass the
Kanesville Tabernacle museum, Golden Spike Monument, and Lake Manawa
State Park. Notably, it's home to the unique "Squirrel Cage" rotary jail
(1885–1969) and black squirrels observed by John James Audubon in 1843.
Dubuque: Situated along the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa's
Dubuque County, Dubuque is a historic port city in the Driftless Area.
It has a population of 59,667 (2020 census). Once focused on lead
mining, timber, and brewing, its economy now spans healthcare (e.g.,
MercyOne), manufacturing like John Deere, and tourism. Established in
1833 by Julien Dubuque, it became a commercial center after the
Louisiana Purchase. Landmarks include the National Mississippi River
Museum and Aquarium, Fenelon Place Elevator (world's shortest, steepest
scenic railway), and the Shot Tower. Known as the "City of Five Flags"
for its layered history under various sovereignties, it draws over 2
million tourists yearly and hosts five colleges.
Iowa City: Found in Johnson County along the
Iowa River, Iowa City is a cultural and academic powerhouse. Its
population is 74,828 (2020 census), with a 2024 estimate of 76,710. The
economy is dominated by the University of Iowa (over 31,000 students)
and its hospitals (15,500 employees), plus firms like ACT Inc. Chosen as
the territorial capital in 1839 and state capital from 1846 to 1857, its
Old Capitol Building is now a museum. Attractions feature the University
of Iowa Museum of Art, Plum Grove Historic House, and the "Black Angel"
monument in Oakland Cemetery. As a UNESCO City of Literature since 2008,
it's famed for the Iowa Writers' Workshop and endured a 2006 tornado and
1970 protests.
Quad
Cities: This metropolitan region straddles the Mississippi River,
encompassing Bettendorf and Davenport in Iowa, plus East Moline, Moline,
and Rock Island in Illinois. The metro area has a population of about
467,817 (2023 estimate), with the MSA at 384,324 in 2020. Manufacturing
leads the economy, including agricultural equipment (Deere & Company,
the largest employer), defense at Rock Island Arsenal, and healthcare.
Native to Sauk and Fox tribes, it industrialized in the 19th century
with river traffic and John Deere's plough invention in 1848, shifting
from "Tri-Cities" to "Quad Cities" by the 1930s amid economic ups and
downs. Key sites include the Figge Art Museum, Modern Woodmen Park for
baseball, and Lock and Dam No. 15. It's the birthplace of jazz legend
Bix Beiderbecke, inventor of sliced bread Otto Rohwedder, and hosts the
John Deere Classic golf tournament.
Sioux City:
Located at the confluence of the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers in
Woodbury County, Sioux City is a regional anchor in northwest Iowa. It
has a population of 85,797 (2020 census) and an estimated 86,875 in
2024, ranking as Iowa's fourth-largest city. Meatpacking and
manufacturing dominate, with Tyson Fresh Meats as the top employer; it's
part of the tri-state Siouxland area. Explored by Lewis and Clark in
1804 (site of Sergeant Floyd's death), it was platted in 1854 as a
transport hub and nicknamed "Little Chicago" during Prohibition for its
bootlegging. Attractions include the Sergeant Floyd Monument, Sioux City
Public Museum, and Chris Larsen Park. Notably, it was the site of the
1989 United Airlines Flight 232 crash with many survivors and features
the world's first electric elevated railway from 1892.
Villisca Axe Murders House in Villisca, Iowa is a famous site of a gruesome murder of the whole family that occurred here on June 10, 1912.
By Airplane.
Iowa's largest airport is centrally located in the state
capital, Des Moines (DSM IATA); the second most popular is Eastern Iowa
Airport (CID IATA) in Cedar Rapids in the eastern part of the state.
Dubuque Airport (DBQ IATA), Sioux City Airport (SUX IATA), Waterloo
Airport (ALO IATA), Burlington Airport (BRL IATA), Fort Dodge Airport
(FOD IATA), and Mason City Airport (MCW IATA) also have very small
scheduled passenger service airports.
For travelers using private
planes, there are dozens of general aviation airports and hundreds of
airfields.
By Car
Most people enter Iowa via I-80 if coming
from the east or west, or via I-35 if coming from the north or south.
Like many Midwestern states, both interstate highways are easy to
travel. There are a few 50-mile straight sections in the former, though
this is not true, to perpetuate the stereotype that Iowa is mostly flat
and uneventful. Illinois is flatter than any state in the U.S. except
Florida and Louisiana.
If you want to see what Illinois is really
like, get off the highway, ignore the fast food signs, and look for the
small towns that are the charm of the Midwest. US Highway 6, which
crosses the state in about 5.5 hours, runs parallel to I-80 for most of
the state, but offers a more diverse landscape. For a north-south trip,
US Highway 69 through Des Moines or US Highway 218 through Cedar Rapids
and Waterloo are recommended. State maps are available free of charge at
state "welcome centers" and rest stops. The state map lists attractions
such as Cedar Rock, a rare example of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian style
of architecture, and the Scenic Route, a common county road.
By
Bus
Jefferson Line
Greyhound
Burlington Trailways
By
Train
Amtrak (Amtrak code OSC) (I-35 S to exit US-34 E, turn right at
S Ridge Rd), toll-free: +1 800-usa-rail (872-7245). Amtrak's Osceola
Station (Main and E Clay Sts) is 45 miles (72 km) south of Des Moines
via I-35. Aside from a casino, the town has few services for travelers.
Greyhound runs through Osceola.
Amtrak's Chicago/Denver/San Francisco
route also stops in Omaha (just across the Missouri River from Council
Bluffs), Creston (in south-central Iowa), and southeastern Iowa at
Ottumwa, Mount Pleasant, and Burlington. The Chicago-Los Angeles route
makes a stop in Fort Madison, the southeasternmost point of the state,
on its way to Kansas City.
By foot.
The American Discovery
Trail connects Iowa with Nebraska, Illinois, and both coasts.
By Car
Most people travel within Iowa by car. Like the Midwest,
Iowa's roads are laid out in a grid pattern. If you drive on the
highways outside the state, you will quickly find that there is an
intersection almost every mile. This makes it a relatively easy task to
figure out where you are and get from there to where you need to be.
Also, if you ask for directions, people will give you directions
according to their compass points. If someone says one mile east and
three miles north, and you are about to be turned around, don't be shy
about asking which way to go.
Travelers who are not used to ice
and snow may have a hard time driving in the Iowa winter. If you need to
travel during the colder months, plan ahead. Special snow tires or
chains are not usually necessary, but you will need to know how to drive
in winter conditions. Check the weather forecast and road conditions
well in advance and allow plenty of time. If a snowplow is dispatched,
wait until the roads are cleared of snow. Drive slower than normal and
leave at least three times the distance from the car in front. Be
prepared to deal with unseen blocks of ice, especially on and around
bridges.
The main routes within the state are as follows
Interstate 35: A major north-south interstate that connects Ames and Des
Moines, as well as regional cities such as Mason City and Indianola.
Interstate 80: This is the main east-west interstate through the state,
connecting major cities such as Davenport, Bettendorf, Iowa City, Des
Moines, and Council Bluffs. Most other major cities, such as Cedar
Rapids and Ames, are within a 30-minute drive from I-80.
Interstate
380: A branch of Interstate 80, connecting Iowa City to Waterloo via
Cedar Rapids. It terminates at US 20.
Interstate 29: Connecting
Kansas City to Omaha and Sioux Falls, this route runs mostly along the
Iowa-Nebraska border, connecting Council Bluffs and Sioux City.
US
30: The first transcontinental highway in the United States, US 30 runs
through central Iowa connecting Clinton, Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown,
Ames, Denison, and the Missouri Valley.
US 20: Another major
transcontinental highway, US 20 enters Iowa at Dubuque and connects
Waterloo, Fort Dodge, and Sioux City.
US 151 Starting at the Amana
Colony, this route heads northeast, connecting Cedar Rapids and Dubuque.
RAGBRAI (RAGBRAI: Ride Across Iowa Bike Rally). This road bike event
attracts cycling enthusiasts from all over the United States. Riders
start from a different town each year. They ride across the state for
seven days, with wheels on the Missouri River on one side and the
Mississippi River on the other.
State Fair Des Moines is home to the
nation's largest state fair, famous for its music and food. Many call it
the best opportunity to get all that Iowa has to offer. (Updated
September 2017 | edited)
Living History Farms, Urbandale (Exit 125
off I-80), ☏ +1 515 278-5286. an outdoor, hands-on agricultural museum,
Living History Farms offers a new way to enjoy history for people of all
ages. open to the public from May through October, the museum is open to
the public from May through October, and is a great place to learn about
the history of Iowa, Special events are held throughout the year.
Historical interpreters explain and demonstrate the lifestyles of Ioway
Indians in the 1700s, pioneers in 1850, townspeople in 1875, and farmers
in 1900.
Des Moines Art Festival The Des Moines Art Festival, which
began in 1958, is held in the heart of Des Moines in and around the John
and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Western Gateway Park. The annual
festival features visual arts, live music, performing arts, and
activities, as well as the Interrobang Film Festival.
Licensed
hunters may hunt deer, pheasant, and other legal game during designated
seasons. Adults and teenagers 16 years and older must have a fishing
license. Hunting is permitted primarily in November, December, and
January and requires a furharvester license. Licenses are limited, so it
is best to apply in advance.
Birding includes majestic bald
eagles in some locations and many backyard birds such as cardinals,
black-capped chickadees, American goldfinches, and blue jays.
Iowans call their state the "breadbasket of the world," and this is
reflected in their cuisine. From pork chops and pork barbecue to ham
steaks and baked potatoes to sweet corn and green beans, there are more
Midwestern dishes than you can eat in a lifetime. Most country towns
have a fast-food place or two if you're in a hurry, but the best places
are those that take a little longer and give you a chance to chat with
friendly locals over pie and coffee. You might even find yourself in a
country diner in the early morning with the farmers! Try a few:
The Maid Right Burger, also called the "tavern" or "loose meat" burger,
is similar to a hamburger, but the beef does not form a patty and is
cooked very finely.
Pork tenderloin sandwiches are breaded,
deep-fried, and hearty.
Hot roast beef sandwiches are served in
almost every diner. This homey dish consists of slices of roast beef,
mashed potatoes, and a light brown gravy on a slice of white sandwich
bread.
Taco pizza was invented in Bettendorf, but is now served
throughout the state. One of the pizza's most popular outlets is the
convenience store. Iowans are split between Casey's and Kum 'n Go. In
many small towns, this is the only place you can buy hot pizza. If you
call ahead, they have fresh pizza waiting for you, or you can buy it by
the slice while you refuel.
Pie is Dessert It is not unusual for a
large restaurant to have as many as a dozen different kinds of pie. If
they have rhubarb pie, try it.
In towns with a strong ethnic
flavor, there are sometimes restaurants that specialize in the cuisine
of a particular country. Pella has Dutch food, Amana Colony has German
food, Cedar Rapids has Czech Kolash, Decorah has Norwegian food, and
several small towns have Danish food. Iowa has a large Latino
population, and there are many family-owned Latino restaurants that are
generally very good.
If you are having dinner at someone's house,
you might end up with fried or barbecued chicken, ham balls (similar to
meatballs, but made with ground pork and often with a sweet sauce),
spaghetti in tomato sauce, and various casseroles. At a party, you might
get a salty Chex mix. A potluck at a church or veterans' hall might seem
incomplete without a simmering pot of Binny Weenies (hot dogs and baked
beans) and a dessert made of cake or pie with jelly in between.
Prior to Prohibition, Iowa had a healthy wine industry, which is
growing again. Vineyards dot the state, each producing its own wines.
Des Moines has the largest selection and variety of stores for all
ages in the state, but the bustling college towns of Cedar Falls, Ames,
and Iowa City offer the state's most enthusiastic nightlife for the
(mostly) younger crowd (game days, especially during fall football
season, are popular with the older crowd). From Thursday through
Saturday nights, local bars and clubs are packed with young people.
Alcohol is not available for purchase until 2:00 a.m. in either bars
or stores. There are no separate stores for different types of alcohol,
and the alcohol content of beer is the same no matter where it is
purchased. There are no "dry" counties in Iowa, and alcohol is available
seven days a week.
Iowa has a thriving craft beer scene, with
notable breweries such as Millstream Brewing Company, based in Amana
Colony, and Okoboji Brewing Company in Iowa's Great Lakes region.
Topping Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah is a world-renowned
microbrewery with eight beers on Beer Advocate's Top 250 Beers list.
More than 80 other microbreweries are scattered throughout the state,
including Confluence Brewing Company and Exile Brewing Company in Des
Moines, Back Pocket Brewing in Coralville, and Single Speed Brewing in
Cedar Falls The state has more than 80 microbreweries scattered
throughout the state.
Rural Iowa is very safe and many people do not lock their car doors.
If you are visiting populated areas like Council Bluffs, Davenport, or
Des Moines, you need to use common sense.
For the most part,
Iowans are friendly, warm, and willing to help if you have a problem.
Iowa experiences four seasons in abundance: winter, mud, road
construction, and football. Football season is rarely a travel-related
problem, with only weekly traffic jams near the various football fields.
The first hard frost occurs during football season and early mornings
can be a bit slippery underfoot, but thousands of people are spared from
months of hay fever suffering. The other three seasons, however, can
bring inclement weather and unexpected changes in conditions for
travelers.
Thunderstorms are common. Thunderstorms can occur
anytime temperatures are above freezing.
Flooding can block
roads. This is primarily a springtime problem, when a combination of
melting snow and additional rain saturates the ground and fills rivers.
Tornadoes.Iowa is located in the unofficial "Tornado Alley," where
about 50 tornadoes occur each year. Most tornadoes are weak (but still
very strong by everyday wind standards) and usually damage a few trees,
break a few windows, blow down signs, etc. Tornadoes occur primarily in
the southwestern corner of the state, but tornadoes can also occur
elsewhere in the state, especially in the spring and summer months.
With this in mind, pay close attention to weather conditions when
traveling to or through the state, and frequently obtain information
about potential severe weather threats through television and radio.
Conditions can change rapidly and you do not want to inadvertently enter
the path of a dangerous storm.
For more information on this
issue, read our Tornado Safety page.
While not as cold and windy as the Dakotas, Iowa winters can be
harsh. We frequently experience heavy snowfall during the winter months,
sometimes well into April. Ice storms and ice storms can make roads very
treacherous. Most major highways are well maintained, but driving on
country roads after a winter storm can be nerve-wracking to say the
least. If you are traveling in the winter, keep up to date on local
weather and road conditions through television, radio, or the Iowa
Department of Transportation website.
While Iowa's snow storms
are not strong enough to be called blizzards, the best advice for
traveling during a snow storm is the same: stay on the road. If you are
going out, pack extra clothing, blankets, bottled water, a cell phone,
and a shovel in your car. If you are stranded, stay in your car, brace
yourself, and wait for help to arrive. Because of poor visibility, it is
easy to lose your bearings and get lost if you are out alone.
Historically, Iowa has been known to be politically volatile, with both liberal and conservative politicians. Iowa is also an unusually political state because of its role in the early stages of the presidential nominating process. Iowans tend to welcome political debate, but their usual friendliness can turn into hostile reactions, especially during the Iowa caucuses, which take place in January or early February, about 10 months before the quadrennial presidential election Every four years, Iowans are exposed to the ballot for all U.S. presidential elections The time presidential candidates spend parading around the state, holding town forums and debates, and canvassing for votes is far longer than other states have to endure. Feel free to ask Iowans their views on the presidential debates and hesitate to express your own opinions on political matters, but be respectful and don't take it personally if they are unwilling to engage in political discussion because of "debate fatigue."
Iowa is bordered by the states of Minnesota to the north, Nebraska to
the west, South Dakota to the northwest, Missouri to the south,
Wisconsin to the northeast, and Illinois to the east. The Mississippi
River forms the eastern border of the state, and the Missouri River the
western one. Iowa has 99 counties. The state capital, Des Moines, is
located in Polk County.
There are several natural lakes in the
state, the most important being Spirit Lakes, West Okoboji and East
Okoboji, in northwest Iowa. Man-made lakes are: Odessa, Saylorville, Red
Rock, Coralville, MacBride and Rathbun.
The topography of the
state is made up of plains with gentle undulations. Loess hills are seen
along the western border of the state, some of which are several hundred
feet deep. In the northeast, along the Mississippi River, is a section
of the Driftless Zone, which in Iowa consists of low, rugged hills
covered in a coniferous landscape—a landscape not generally associated
with this state.
The lowest point is Keokuk, in southeastern
Iowa, at 146 m, and the highest point, at 509 m, is Hawkeye Point,
located north of the city of Sibley, in northwestern Iowa. The average
elevation of the state is 335 m. Considering the size of the state
(145,743 km²), there is very little difference in elevation.
Iowa
has the highest average radon concentrations in the nation due to
significant glaciation that crushed the granitic rocks of the Canadian
Shield and deposited it into soils, enriching Iowa's farmland. Because
of the area's large surface area of rocky soil, radon is released as
boiling gas from the soils. Many cities in the state, such as Iowa City,
have passed radon resistance requirements for the construction of all
new homes.
Iowa, like most of the Midwest region, has a statewide humid
continental climate (Köppen climate classification 'Dfa') with extremes
of both hot and cold temperatures. The average annual temperature in Des
Moines is 10°C); for some positions in the north it is below 8 °C, while
Keokuk, on the Mississippi River, averages 12 °C. Winters are harsh and
snowfall is common, with the capital (Des Moines) receiving an average
of 92 cm per season. Spring heralds the beginning of the severe weather
season, which brings increased precipitation and rising temperatures.
The Iowa summer is known for heat and humidity, with daytime
temperatures often near 32°C and sometimes over 38°C.
It averages
50 days of thunderstorm activity per year. Some of these storms can be
intense, with strong winds and hail. The state has a moderately high
risk of tornado activity, with 37 tornadoes on average per year, mostly
during the spring and summer months.
Iowa extends over a latitude of 320 km from 40°36'N to 43°30'N and has a length of 500 km from 89°5'W to 96°31'W.
If you speak English, Midwestern English should be fairly easy to understand. Locals believe they are speaking pure, common American English without an accent. Linguists disagree, pointing out several oddities in pronunciation and grammar. Soft drinks are usually referred to as pop. Unless we are talking about menus, beans means soybeans, and you can see soybeans in almost half the fields. If you ask your friends to go with you to the next town over, they might say they want to think about it a bit before deciding. A roast is an outdoor party, and if you're a vegetarian, you should ask if it's a corn roast or a hog roast before deciding whether to attend; every four years, a caucus is held (and held, and held).
When the first humans arrived in Iowa more than 13,000 years ago,
they were hunter-gatherers inhabiting a Pleistocene glacial landscape.
By the time European explorers arrived, the Amerindians had become
farmers with an economic, social and political infrastructure. This
transformation was carried out gradually. During the Archaic era
(10,500-2,800 years ago) people adapted to new environments and
ecosystems and became sedentary, so the population increased. More than
3,000 years ago, during the Late Archaic era, humans in Iowa began
domesticating and cultivating plants. The following period, known as the
"Woodland period" was characterized by greater dependence on agriculture
and a more complex social structure. The use of mounds and pottery
increased. During the late prehistoric period, which began around 900
AD. C., corn cultivation increased. Social changes fostered stable
settlements. With the arrival of products and diseases from Europe
through explorers and colonizers, the local population was decimated,
affecting the economy and social structure.
The first Europeans
to visit the region were French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques
Marquette in 1673. They arrived sailing down the Mississippi River, and
after examining the area they wrote that Iowa appeared to be a green and
fertile region. The territory was occupied by the nations: Iowa, Sauk,
Mesquaki, Sioux, Potawatomi, Otoe and Missouri.
Julien Dubuque
(1762–1810), born of Norman parents in St. Pierre les Brecquets, on the
southern bank of the St. Lawrence River, a little more than one hundred
kilometers east of Quebec City, Canada, was the first European to live
in what is now Iowa. In 1788 he obtained permission from the chiefs of
the Fox tribe (and, later, also from the Spanish authorities) to mine
galena (lead sulfide) in the hills next to the Mississippi River, around
the city that today bears his name.
The United States obtained
Iowa as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The Patawatamie, Otto,
and Missourians had sold their territory to the federal government
before 1830, and in June 1833 the official colonization of Iowa by the
United States began. Most of the early settlers came from Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia.
The
first settlers faced a lonely and harsh life in the first decades. They
had to adapt to the extensive prairie that lacked trees and suffered
from extensive annual wild grass fires that covered the entire terrain.
Only the extreme east of the territory had enough forests to supply the
needs for housing construction and fuel. The arrival of the railroad in
the 1850s and 1860s further opened the national and international market
to the region's agricultural products, and the population grew from
43,112 (1840) to 1,194,020 (1870). As a partial result of an official
campaign to attract immigrants in 1869, many arrived from European
countries (primarily Germany, Sweden, Norway and Holland).
The
federal government accepted Iowa as a state of the Union on December 28,
1846.
The state is of particular importance in the election campaigns for
the US presidency: Traditionally, Iowa is the state in which the first
primaries of the parties are held. They give the people of Iowa great
political clout in election years.
Also, Iowa is a swing state
where predicting election outcomes is difficult. Although there was
Democratic dominance in Iowa from the late 1980s to the turn of the
millennium, in the 2004 presidential election, Iowa fell to the
Republicans for the first time since 1984, with the narrowest possible
result. In 2008 the Democrats again won the majority; In 2012 this was
achieved again. In the 2016 election, however, the Republicans again won
clearly; in no other state did so many counties switch from the
Democrats to the Republicans compared to 2012. Iowa is seen as a typical
example of a significant decline in support for Democrats in rural areas
across the US compared to the 1990s. Iowa has had six electoral college
electors since 2012. In 1988 there were eight.
In Iowa, the term political party refers to organizations that have
received two percent or more of the votes cast for the president or
governor in "the last preceding general election." Iowa recognizes two
political parties (Democrats and Republicans). . Other parties,
officially called "independent political organizations," may also appear
on the ticket—five of these have had candidates in elections in Iowa
since 2004 for various offices: the Constitution Party, the Iowa Green
Party, the Libertarian Party, the Pirate Party and the Socialist Workers
Party.
Iowa voters supported Bill Clinton in the 1992 and 1996
presidential elections. Al Gore won the state in 2000, and George W.
Bush in 2004. In the 2006 election, the Democratic Party won two seats
in the Iowa delegation in the House of Representatives, and Democrats
won majorities in both Houses in the Iowa General Assembly.
The
Code of Iowa contains the state's statutory laws. It is updated
periodically through the Iowa Legislative Service Office with a new
edition published in odd-numbered years, and a supplement published in
even-numbered years.
The state receives considerable attention every four years because it
hosts the first presidential caucus, a meeting of voters to select
delegates to the state convention, the primary or preliminary stage in
which each party decides who will receive the presidential nomination.
his party for the presidency of the United States.
Along with the
New Hampshire primary a week later, it has become the initial weapon to
elect presidential candidates from the country's two main political
parties. The caucus, held in January of the election year, involves
people meeting in homes or public places and choosing their candidate,
rather than holding secret ballots, as is done in a primary election.
National and international media give Iowa (and New Hampshire) about
half of their attention in the national candidate selection process,
giving voters enormous influence. Those who enter the caucus race often
devote enormous efforts to reaching voters in each of Iowa's 99
counties.
The 2000 national census from the United States Census Bureau
estimated Iowa's population at 2,926,324, a growth of 5.4% over the
state's 1990 population of 2,776,755. An estimate made in 2005 estimated
the state's population at 2,966,334 inhabitants, a growth of 6.8%
compared to the state's population in 1990, which was 1.4% compared to
the state's population in 2000, and 0.5% compared to the estimated
population in 2004. The 2011 estimate is 3,062,309.
Iowa's
natural population growth between 2000 and 2005 was 53,706—197,163
births minus 143,457 deaths—population growth caused by immigration was
29,386, while interstate migration showed a loss of 41,140 inhabitants.
Between 2000 and 2005, Iowa's population grew by 39,952, and between
2004 and 2005, by 13,430.
A new estimate from the Census Bureau in 2006 put the state's
population at 2,982,085 people, whose ethnic composition was as follows:
91.0% are white (European or of European descent).
3.8% are Latino or
Hispanic (among whom Mexicans predominate).
2.3% are African
American.
1.5% are Asian.
The rest are made up of people of other
ethnic origins.
The population of Latino/Hispanic origin is the
fastest growing, due to the high fertility rates of Latina women
residing in the United States, and also due to legal and illegal
immigration from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Iowa's five
largest groups by ancestry are: German (making up 35.7% of the state's
population) Irish (13.5%), English (9.5%), American (6.6%), the majority
are of Scottish or Irish descent) and Norwegian (5.7%).
The state's first school, a private school, was founded in 1830, when
Iowa was still part of the Territory of Michigan, in what is now Lee
County. In 1820, the government of the Territory of Michigan approved
budgets for the construction of the first public schools in Iowa. In
1858, as a state, the government of Iowa approved the creation of a
public education system, in 1858, composed entirely of schools of
primary education. Iowa's public school system expanded to include
junior high schools in 1911. The state made school attendance mandatory
in 1902.
Currently, all educational institutions in Iowa must
comply with regulations and standards issued by the Iowa State Board of
Education. This board directly controls the state's public school
system, which is divided into different school districts. The council is
made up of nine members chosen by the governor, plus a director of
education, who presides over the council, also chosen by the governor.
The term of office of the members of the council is indeterminate, since
the governor has the power to replace any member whenever he wants. Each
major city (city), various secondary cities (towns) and each county is
served by a school district. In cities, the responsibility for
administration of the public school system lies with the municipal
districts, while in less densely populated regions this responsibility
lies with the school districts, which operate throughout the county in
general. Iowa allows the operation of "charter schools" — independent
public schools, which are not managed by school districts but depend on
public budgets for their operation. School attendance is mandatory for
all children and adolescents over seven years of age, until the
completion of secondary education or until the age of fifteen.
In
1999, public schools served approximately 497.3 thousand students, and
employed approximately 33.5 thousand teachers. Private schools served
about 49.6 thousand students, and employed approximately 3.5 thousand
teachers. The state's public school system consumed about $3.11 billion,
and public school spending was approximately $6,500 per student. About
88% of the state's residents over 25 years of age have a high school
diploma.
Iowa's first public library was founded in 1853, in
Fairfield. Currently, Iowa public libraries move about 7.6 books per
capita annually.
The first institution of higher education was
the University of Iowa, whose creation was approved in 1847, and founded
in 1858, in Iowa City, and is currently the largest university in the
state. Currently, Iowa has 62 institutions of higher education, of which
18 are public and 44 are private.
Percentage of population by religious affiliation:
Religion 2019
Christians – 78% - 2,484,141
Protestants – 60% - 1,910,878
Catholics – 18% - 573 263
Other religions – 1% - 31,847
No
religion – 21% - 668,807
Iowa's gross domestic product (GDP) was $103 billion in 2003. The
state's per capita income, meanwhile, was $28,340. Iowa's unemployment
rate was 4.1%.
The primary sector accounts for 4% of Iowa's GDP.
Together, agriculture and livestock account for 4% of Iowa's GDP, and
employ approximately 136 thousand people. The effects of fishing and
forestry are of little importance on the state's economy. Iowa has about
94,000 farms, covering more than 90 percent of the state. Only Nebraska
has a larger percentage of the state's area covered by farms. Iowa is
the largest corn producer in the United States, producing approximately
one-fifth of the corn produced in the country. Iowa also has the largest
hog herd in the country. The state is also one of the largest soybean
producers in the country. Iowa concentrates about a quarter of the
American pig herd. Other important products of Iowa agriculture are
straw, oats, apples, legumes and cattle herds.
The secondary
sector accounts for 26% of GDP. The manufacturing industry contributes
22% of the state's GDP and employs approximately 267 thousand people.
The total value of products manufactured in the state is $31 billion.
The main industrialized products manufactured in the state are
industrially processed foods, machinery, chemical products, electrical
equipment and transportation vehicles. Iowa is the largest producer of
ethanol in the country. The construction industry accounts for 4% of the
state's GDP, and employs approximately 100,000 people. The effects of
mining on the state's economy are not important, and it employs about 3
thousand people. The main natural mineral resource in the state is
limestone.
The tertiary sector contributes 70% of GDP.
Approximately 17% of the state's GDP is generated through community and
personal services. This sector employs about 535 thousand people.
Wholesale and retail trade accounts for 16% of the state's GDP, and
employs approximately 420 thousand people. Financial and real estate
services account for about 16% of the state's GDP, and employ
approximately 135 thousand people. Des Moines is the financial center of
the state, the second largest insurance industry center in the United
States (behind only Hartford, Connecticut) and the third largest in the
world (behind London and Hartford). Public services account for 12 % of
Iowa's GDP, and generate employment for approximately 254 thousand
people. Transportation, telecommunications and public utilities employ
92 thousand people, and account for 9% of Iowa's GDP. About 85% of the
electricity generated in The state's electricity is produced by coal- or
oil-fired thermal power plants, with the state's only nuclear power
plant, the Duane Arnold Energy Center, producing 11%, and hydroelectric
plants producing about 2%.
Des Moines is the main transportation center in Iowa. It is an
important road and rail center in the Midwest region of the United
States, and has the state's main airport, Des Moines International
Airport. In 2002, Iowa owned 6,537 kilometers of railroad tracks.
In 2003, the state had 182,686 kilometers of public roads, of which
1,259 kilometers were interstate highways, considered part of the
federal highway system of the United States.
Iowa's first
newspaper, the Dubuque Visitor, was first published in 1836, in Dubuque,
and publication lasted only until 1837. The oldest newspaper in the
state still in circulation, meanwhile, is the Hawk Eye, which was It
first published in 1837, in Burlington, as the Wisconsin Territorial
Gazette and Burlington Advertiser. Currently, about 370 newspapers are
printed in the state, of which 37 are dailies.
The first radio
station was founded in 1919, in Iowa City. The state's first television
station was founded in 1949, also in Iowa City. Iowa currently has 208
radio stations—of which 84 are AM and 124 are FM—and 21 television
stations.
Iowa had only one major league sports team: the Waterloo Hawks played
in the National Basketball Association in the 1949/50 season. Since
then, the state has only had professional minor league teams, such as
the Iowa Cubs of the Pacific Coast League, the Iowa Energy of the NBA
D-League, and the Iowa Stars and Iowa Wild of the American Hockey
League.
In college sports, the two most prominent teams in the
state are the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference and the Iowa State
Cyclones of the Big 12 Conference. The Hawkeyes have won the Rose Bowl
and the Orange Bowl in American football.
The Iowa Speedway is an
oval circuit opened in 2006, which has hosted motorsports races for the
IndyCar Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Truck
Series. Meanwhile, the Knoxville oval has hosted the Knoxville Nationals
since 1961, one of the main sprint car races in the country.
In
golf, the PGA Tour has had an annual tournament in Iowa since 1971 and
the Champions Tour since 2001. The 2011 US Veterans Open was also held
there and the 2017 Solheim Cup will be held there.
In this state, more specifically in the city of Des Moines, the Groove metal and alternative metal band, Slipknot, was founded in 1995, which is possibly the most popular and successful musical act from this state.