Iowa is genuine hospitality, sophisticated cities and beautiful countryside next to the Mississippi, Missouri and Big Sioux River. The state covers 56,290 square miles with a population of 2.9 million and the capital is Des Moines.
      Iowa is divided into 10 regions: the Northwest region is where the Great Lakes are located; the West Central region features the beauty of the western prairie and the Loess Hills; a western flair with cowboys and rodeos as well as excellent game hunting and fishing can be found in the Southwest region; North Central is famous for its role in the movie Field of Dreams, as tall-grass prairies grow here along with acres and acres of corn; Central Iowa is the center for arts and culture, complete with an amusement park, a 19th century village and wildlife refuge where the buffalo roam; the South Central region offers prime fishing on some of the state’s largest lakes; the Northeast region is known for fall colors, historic river towns and riverboat gambling; East Central features seven authentic German villages steeped in Old World traditions known as the Amana Colonies; the East region pops with corn fields and the rhythms of the river, jazz and the blues; the Southeast region is known for the world’s most crooked street, Snake Alley, as well as historical places tied to the Mississippi River.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Hawkeye State State Capital: Des Moines State Flower: Wild Rose State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch

      Agriculture is a major part of Iowa’s economy. Nearly 89 percent of the state’s land is used for farming. About 100,000 of those acres are organically farmed by 400 certified organic operations. Iowa is first in pork, corn and egg production and second in soybean and red meat production. Beehives, vineyards and wineries add to the agricultural economy. Conservation programs have set buffer zones between and along side farmland to reduce soil erosion, protect water quality and stabilize stream banks.

Although farming is the primary industry in Iowa, the business environment is expanding to include biosciences, advanced manufacturing, technology and financial services. But there is plenty about Iowa that makes it a wonderful place to live – even if you are not a farmer. From the bluffs above sparkling lakes to native grasses shimmering in the breeze to rugged wind-sculpted hills, outdoor recreation abounds here. A water-lover’s paradise, the state’s rivers and lakes are excellent for swimming, jet skiing, boating, fishing, sailing, waterskiing and canoeing.
     Iowa’s state parks offer 55 campgrounds and more than 400 miles of hiking trails, including the Lewis and Clark Trail and the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Six scenic byways offer views of the Loess Hills, the rounded hills in eastern Iowa, the mighty Mississippi and the Iowa River Valley. Bicycle paths and trails become snow-covered cross-country skiing trails in the winter and there are two downhill skiing areas here as well.
      The population in Iowa is 91.7 percent Caucasian, 3.5 percent Hispanic, 2.3 percent African-American, 1.4 percent Asian and less than 1 percent Native American. The average household income is $42,278 and the median home price is $88,000, one of the six lowest in the country. About 74 percent of residential units in Iowa are single-family homes.

Quality education is a priority in Iowa and the state’s graduates are highly regarded. There are over 40 colleges and universities throughout the state. The Writer’s Workshop at the University of Iowa is a world-renowned program for aspiring writers and creative types.
      Theaters, hundreds of restaurants, nightclubs, shopping centers, family attractions, sporting and fitness facilities along with many other leisure and entertainment activities are available throughout the state. Sports lovers can cheer for their favorite college and professional teams as well.
      A few historic places in Iowa are the Dubuque County Jail with its Egyptian Revival architecture that houses the collections of the Dubuque County Historical Society; the Hitchcock House that was a station on the Underground Railroad and is now restored and listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Mines of Spain Recreation Area, with hundreds of archeological sites providing a history of Native Americans.