Occupying nearly 45,000 square miles of America’s Midwest region, the state of Ohio is identified by its rich history, lush landscape and producing seven of our nation’s presidents. Known as the Buckeye State, for its state tree of the same name, Ohioans are proud sports enthusiasts and friendly people, creating a warm, community atmosphere wherever you go in this diverse state.
      Residents of Ohio enjoy four distinct seasons, thousands of acres of deciduous forest and gently rolling plains with the Allegheny Plateau located in the east. While Ohio is landlocked from the ocean, it is far from lacking in bodies of water. The state got its name from an Iroquois word meaning “good river,” referring to its best known waterway, the Ohio River, which serves as the state’s southern border. Forming much of the northern border is one of the largest of the great lakes, Lake Erie. Numerous other rivers, streams and lakes occupy spaces of Ohio, including the Grand Lake St. Mary’s, Muksingum River, Cuyoga Ricer and the Great Miami River.
      The communities of Ohio represent the best of both progressive urban America and rustic, rural countryside. Large cities like the state capital, Columbus, and its largest metro area, Cleveland, contain bustling industry, cultural facilities and metropolitan-style real estate, including high rise apartment complexes and contemporary town homes.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Buckeye State State Capital: Columbus State Flower: Scarlet Carnation State Bird: Cardinal

However, the suburbs, farmland and rural areas outside of cities like Toledo and Dayton are the very picture of small town American life, some even showcasing 19th century farmhouses. The diversity of Ohio’s regions is matched by its mixture of housing styles.

Residents occupy single family homes on large wooded lots, modern houses in gated communities, lakefront condos, historic brick homes and rustic log cabins.
      Ohio’s population of nearly 11,500,000 represents people from all walks of life. The multiplicity of the state’s landscape and economy makes it appealing to single professionals, students, young families and senior citizens alike.
      Part of America’s Corn Belt and a producer of soybeans, dairy products, tomatoes, corn, hogs, cattle, poultry, eggs, machinery, tools, processed foods, steel, tires and rubber products, Ohio’s economy is based largely in agriculture and manufactured goods. One of the nation’s industry leaders,
Ohio is the country’s largest metal castings producer. It is also a transportation hub, providing access of goods from the Northeast to the Northwest. Tourism also plays a part in Ohio’s economy, with its many historic, outdoor and entertainment and leisure attractions. Ohio provides products for companies like Procter and Gamble, Smuckers Jams and Jellies and Day-Glo Paints.
      The Buckeye state boasts 13 state universities, including Kent State, Bowling Green State, and Ohio State. It also has 24 state university branch and regional campuses, 46 liberal arts colleges and universities, six free-standing state-assisted medical schools, as well as private medical schools, community colleges, technical colleges and independent non-profit colleges.

      Ohio is home to the nation's 10th largest highway network. Many of the key east-west transportation corridors run through the state. With just one day’s drive to half of North America’s population, residents here can enjoy a “best of both worlds” quality of life. Many seaports reside on the coast of Lake Erie and airports and rail stations are strategically spread across the state.
      Ohio features a variety of entertainment and leisure activities. The state is home to the National Football League and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Its plethora of lakes and rivers make for a veritable playground for fishing, swimming and boating enthusiasts. Two amusement parts, Paramount’s Kings Island and Cedar Point, home of record-breaking roller coasters and a natural beach on Lake Eerie, entertain millions each year. It's rich and fascinating history, abundance of nature, quality educational institutions and friendly inhabitants make the state of Ohio a wonderful place to live, work and play.