Iowa
by Eric R.
Iowa is an exciting and interesting state. It is located in the western part of the North Central Region of the United States. It is surrounded by the Mississippi River on the east and the Missouri River on the west. Its' northern border is mainly Minnesota and its southern neighbor is Missouri.
There are many interesting facts about Iowa. Iowa's population is 2,829,252 people. Iowa's total land area is 56,290 sq. miles, which gives it a ranking of 26th in size. Des Moines is Iowa's capital and Waterloo, Ceder Rapids, Sioux City, and Davenport are other major cities. The climate and temperature of Iowa can fluctuate from -47o to 118o.
Iowa has many interesting state symbols. Iowa has 2 state nicknames, first the Hawkeye State, second the Corn-hog State. Eastern Goldfinch is Iowa's state bird. Iowa's state motto is "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Iowa's state flower is the beautiful wild rose. Oak trees are Iowa's state trees. Iowa's state rock is geode. ''The song of Iowa'' is Iowa's state song.
Iowa has lots of interesting landforms. The Mississippi River borders Iowa on the east side of the state. The Missouri River borders Iowa on the west side. The Ceder River, Des Moines River, Iowa River, and The Little Sioux River are other rivers in Iowa.
Many interesting events have taken place in Iowa. Iowa was named after the Ioway Indians who were found scattered across the state. Iowa became a state on December 28 1846. Iowa also has a history of great farmland.
Iowa has lots of Recreational Sights. Effigy Mounds National Monument is a park were you can learn about the ancient mound builders of Iowa and see the mounds they made. Iowa has 95 state parks open to the public. The Norwegian-American Historical Museum tells you the history between Norway and America. Or if you're interested in Indians go to Iowa's only Indian reservation.
Iowa has lots of different festivals and customs. The Drake University Relay Races start in April. Runners come from all over the state to compete in the races. The Iowa State Fair presents different farming methods and has contests for crop and cattle. The Madison Rodeo is another famous custom for rodeo challengers.
Many products are manufactured in Iowa. Food products from beef and chicken are manufactured in Iowa. They produce mechanical pieces like propellers for airplanes. Chemicals such as clorox bleach and other chemicals are also manufactured in Iowa. The Freshwater pearl button industry is very unusaul. Pearls are collected from clam shells in the Mississippi River and made into buttons for clothing. The Maytag washer machine company, and the Lenox air conditioning Company are some other manufacturing companies in Iowa.
Iowa has lots of natural resources. Even though there is little wood in Iowa lumber jacking is a small natural resource buisness. Rivers take up a lot of room in the natural resource subject. Gravel, gypsum, and sand are mined and used for cement mix. Clay is a natural resource that citizens can scoop up from the beaches. To get large quantities of coal, limestone, and shale workers have to mine for it. Many of these rocks are used in buildings throughout the United States.
Iowa grows and raises lots of different plants and animals. Iowa is leading in raising hogs and cattle. Iowa also has a lot of diary cattle and chicken. Wild turkey are also raised for special occasions. Iowa also has the ''delicious apple'' and corn plants that can grow over three stories high. Potatoes and tomatoes are also some of Iowa's strong points. Crunchy cucumbers and tear driving onions are also some plants Iowa grows.
I have had fun doing a report on Iowa. At first I thought it would be hard, but it was easy. One day I wish to visit Iowa in reality.
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