Iowa State Guide

Iowa is a Midwest state of the United States. It is the 29th state of the United States, having joined the Union on December 28, 1846. The official name of the state is the "State of Iowa ". The state is named for the Native American Iowa people.

Iowa State Guide - Geography

Iowa is bordered by Minnesota on the north; Nebraska and South Dakota on the west; Missouri on the south; and Wisconsin and Illinois on the east.

The Mississippi River forms the eastern boundary of the state. The boundary along the west is formed by the Missouri River south of Sioux City and by the Big Sioux River north of Sioux City. There are several natural lakes in the state, most notably Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake in northwest Iowa (see Iowa Great Lakes). Man-made lakes include Lake Odessa, Saylorville Lake, Lake Red Rock, Lake Mcbride and Rathbun Lake.

The topography of the state is gently rolling plains. Loess hills lie along the western border of the state. Some of these are several hundred feet thick. In the northeast, along the Mississippi River, is a section of the Driftless Zone, which in Iowa consists of low rugged hills covered with conifers—a landscape not usually associated with this state.

The point of lowest elevation is Keokuk 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 Sibley in northwest Iowa. The mean elevation of the state is 1,099 feet (335 m). Considering the size of the state at 56,271 square miles (145,743 km²), there is very little elevation difference.

Iowa has 99 counties. The state capital, Des Moines, is located in Polk County (#60).

Areas controlled and protected by the National Park Service include:

* Effigy Mounds National Monument near Harpers Ferry
* Herbert Hoover National Historical Site in West Branch
* Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
* Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail

Iowa State Guide - Climate

Iowa experiences a continental climate with extremes of both heat and cold. The average annual temperature at Des Moines is 50.0 °F (10.0 °C); for some locations in the north the figure is under 45 °F, while Keokuk, on the Mississippi River, averages 52.1 °F. Winters are brisk and snowfall common, the capital receiving an average of 36.3 inches per season. Spring ushers in the beginning of the severe weather season, as well as bringing increased precipitation and warming temperatures. The Iowan summer is known for heat and humidity, with daytime temperatures sometimes exceeding 100 °F (37.8 °C).

Iowa averages about 50 days of thunderstorm activity per year. Some of these thunderstorrms can be severe with high winds and hail. The state has a moderately high risk of tornadic activity with, on average, 37 tornadoes per year.

Iowa State Guide - History

* The first Europeans to explore Iowa were French citizens following the Sioux and Fox Indians.
* At first, due to a lack of trees, Iowa was believed to not be able to support agriculture.
* Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette are believed to be the first European explorers to visit Iowa. They described Iowa as lush, green, and fertile.
* Iowa has been home to approximately 17 different Native American tribes. Today, only the Meskwaki 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 Dragoon 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 Lee, who is the namesake for Albert Lee, Minnesota. One of the commanders was Nathan Boone, the youngest son of Daniel Boone.
* Iowa became the 29th state in the union on December 28, 1846.
* The Chicago and North Western Railway reached Council Bluffs in 1867. Council Bluffs was designated the eastern terminus for the Union Pacific Railroad. The completion of five major railroads across Iowa brought major economic changes as well as travel opportunities.
* During the American Civil War, 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 Isaac S. Struble of Plymouth County, Congressman from 1883-1891.
* Iowa saw a large increase in farming of beef, corn, and pork during World War I, 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 1980's 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 refrigerators, washing machines, fountain pens, farm implements, and food products that are shipped around the world.
* Iowa is also a major producer of ethanol and biodiesel.
* As of 2006, Iowa is the only Midwestern state to have a growing/expanding economy.
* Iowa has the 3rd largest wind power economy, after California and Texas.

Iowa State Guide - Demographics

As of 2005, Iowa has an estimated population of 2,966,334, which is an increase of 13,430, or 0.5%, from the prior year and an increase of 39,952, or 1.4%, 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. Immigration 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 center of population of Iowa is located in Marshall County, in the city of Marshalltown.

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 Northern European origin. The seven largest ancestry groups in Iowa are: German (35.7%), Irish (13.5%), English (9.5%), American (6.6%), Norwegian (5.7%), Dutch (4.6%) and Swedish (3.3%)

6.4% of Iowa's population were reported as under the age of five, 25.1% under 18, and 14.9% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.9% of the population.

Rural flight

Iowa, in common with other Midwestern states (especially Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota), is feeling the brunt of falling populations. 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. "Rural flight", as it is called, has led to offers of free land and tax breaks as enticements to newcomers.

Iowa State Guide - Economy

The state's total gross state product for 2003 was US$103 billion. Its per capita income for 2003 was US$28,340. Iowa's main agricultural outputs are hogs, corn, soybeans, oats, cattle and dairy products. Its industrial outputs are food processing, machinery, electric equipment, chemical products, publishing and primary metals. Iowa produces the nation's largest amount of ethanol. 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 income tax brackets, ranging from 0.36% to 8.98%. The state sales tax 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 personal property. It usually remains in effect until it is repealed, but the ordinance may include a sunset clause. 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 railroads, 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, school district and special levies.

Iowa State Guide - Law and Government

The Code of Iowa contains the statutory laws of the State of Iowa. The Iowa Legislative Service Bureau is a non-partisan governmental agency that is responsible for organizing, updating and publishing the Iowa Code. The Iowa Code is republished in full in odd years (i.e., 1999, 2001, 2003, etc..) and is supplemented in even years.

Iowa has a liberal populist tradition, but now is fairly evenly divided between the two major political parties. The state supported Democrats in the presidential contests from 1988 through 2000. It was one of only two states that supported Democrat Al Gore that switched to supporting George W. Bush in 2004. President Bush narrowly won the state's 7 electoral votes by a margin of 0.7 percentage points with 49.9% of the vote. Democratic strength is concentrated in the eastern region of the state and in Des Moines.

Iowa is an alcohol monopoly or Alcoholic beverage control state.

Iowa Presidential caucus

The state gets considerable attention every four years because it holds the first presidential caucus, a gathering of voters to select delegates to the state convention. Along with the New Hampshire primary 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 primary election. 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.

Iowa State Guide - 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 SAT scores by state, and tied for second highest average ACT scores in states where more than 20% of graduates were tested. The national office of ACT is in Iowa City, and the ITBS and ITED testing programs used in many states are provided by the University of Iowa.

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.

State universities

* Iowa State University
* University of Iowa
* University of Northern Iowa

Independent colleges and universities

* Ashford University
* Briar Cliff University
* Buena Vista University
* Central College
* Clarke College
* Coe College
* Cornell College
* Divine Word College
* Dordt College
* Drake University
* Emmaus Bible College
* Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
* Graceland University
* Grand View College
* Grinnell College
* Iowa Wesleyan College
* Loras College
* Luther College
* Maharishi University of Management
* Morningside College
* Mount Mercy College
* Northwestern College
* Simpson College
* Saint Ambrose University
* University of Dubuque
* Upper Iowa University
* Vennard College
* Waldorf College
* Wartburg College
* William Penn University

Community colleges

* Clinton Community College
* Des Moines Area Community College
* Ellsworth Community College
* Hawkeye Community College
* Indian Hills Community College
* Iowa Central Community College
* Iowa Lakes Community College
* Iowa Western Community College
* Kirkwood Community College
* Marshalltown Community College
* Muscatine Community College
* North Iowa Area Community College
* Northeast Iowa Community College
* Northwest Iowa Community College
* Scott Community College
* Southeastern Community College
* Southwestern Community College
* Western Iowa Community College

Professional business and technical colleges and universities

* AIB College of Business
* Allen College of Nursing
* Des Moines University
* Hamilton College
* Kaplan College
* Mercy College of Health Sciences
* Palmer College of Chiropractic
* St. Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences
* Vatterott College

Iowa State Guide - Professional Sports Teams

The Minor League baseball teams are:

* Iowa Cubs (AAA, Pacific Coast League)
* Cedar Rapids Kernels (A, Midwest League)
* Burlington Bees (A, Midwest League)
* Clarinda A's (collegiate summer)
* Clinton LumberKings (A, Midwest League)
* Swing of the Quad Cities (A, Midwest League)
* Waterloo Bucks (collegiate summer)
* Sioux City Explorers (Northern League, independent)

The Minor League hockey teams are:

* Iowa Stars
* Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
* Waterloo Blackhawks
* Omaha Lancers (located in Council Bluffs)
* Des Moines Buccaneers
* Sioux City Musketeers
* Quad City Mallards

Real Pro Wrestling

* Iowa Stalkers

The Minor League soccer teams are:

* Des Moines Menace (USL Premier Development League; amateur)

Article Source: Wikipedia