Midwestern U.S. state admitted in 1846, bordered by the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, with an economy centered on agriculture, manufacturing, and insurance, and a prominent role in American presidential nominating politics.
Last updated March 26, 2026
Iowa (state; admitted to the United States on December 28, 1846; capital and largest city Des Moines; nickname “Hawkeye State”) is a Midwestern state bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers to the west Britannica. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Iowa had 3,190,369 residents in the 2020 Census and a land area of 55,853.42 square miles U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts – Iowa. The state motto, “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain,” appears on the Great Seal of Iowa as defined in state law Iowa Legislature – Great Seal and Motto.
Geography
Iowa occupies a transition zone between eastern forests and western tallgrass prairie, with terrain of rolling plains and fertile soils shaped by glaciation and river systems Britannica. Its borders meet Minnesota (north), Wisconsin and Illinois (across the Mississippi River, east), Missouri (south), and South Dakota and Nebraska (across the Big Sioux and Missouri rivers, west) Britannica. Distinctive landforms include the Loess Hills along the western border—wind‑deposited silt ridges preserved in the Loess Hills State Forest’s four units across Harrison and Monona counties Iowa DNR – Loess Hills State Forest. The state’s highest natural point is Hawkeye Point at 1,670 feet (509 m) in Osceola County Hawkeye Point – Wikipedia.
Climate
Iowa’s climate is continental, with cold winters and warm summers. NOAA’s 2022 State Climate Summary reports statewide temperatures have risen more than 1 °F since the early 20th century, with the greatest warming in winter and fall; projections indicate continued warming and changes in precipitation variability over the 21st century NOAA NCEI – Iowa State Climate Summary (2022).
History
For millennia the region was home to Indigenous peoples, including the Ioway (Báxoje), Meskwaki (Sac & Fox), Sauk, and Sioux nations Britannica; the Meskwaki Nation provides a detailed account of its history and continued presence in Iowa today Meskwaki Nation – History. The United States acquired the area as part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France National Archives – Louisiana Purchase Treaty. The Iowa Territory was established by the Organic Act of 1838, creating territorial offices and institutions ahead of statehood State Historical Society of Iowa – Territorial Records. Iowa was admitted to the Union as the 29th state on December 28, 1846 Britannica.
Government and politics
Iowa’s constitution divides power among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—in line with the separation of powers Iowa Legislature – The Three Branches of Government. The Great Seal statute codifies the state motto and iconography used across official emblems Iowa Legislature – Great Seal and Motto. In national politics, Iowa has played a prominent role in presidential nominating cycles through its early‑year party caucuses, drawing substantial attention from candidates and media Britannica.
Iowa’s economy combines agricultural dominance with diversified industries in manufacturing and services. USDA data show Iowa as a national leader in corn and soybean production and a top producer of hogs, with 2024 indicators reflecting large‑scale inventories and high grain output USDA NASS – 2024 Iowa State Agriculture Overview. Manufacturing—including food processing and machinery—along with finance and insurance are central components of the state’s economic base Britannica. The insurance industry has a significant footprint in Des Moines, home to Principal Financial Group’s world headquarters and EMC Insurance Companies’ headquarters Principal Financial Group – World HeadquartersEMC Insurance Companies – Contact. Agriculture’s prominence is tied to the state’s fertile soils and extensive row‑crop agriculture across the Corn Belt, while value‑added processing and biofuels further integrate farming with industry Britannica.
Midwestern U.S. state admitted in 1846, bordered by the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, with an economy centered on agriculture, manufacturing, and insurance, and a prominent role in American presidential nominating politics.
Last updated March 26, 2026
Iowa (state; admitted to the United States on December 28, 1846; capital and largest city Des Moines; nickname “Hawkeye State”) is a Midwestern state bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers to the west Britannica. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Iowa had 3,190,369 residents in the 2020 Census and a land area of 55,853.42 square miles U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts – Iowa. The state motto, “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain,” appears on the Great Seal of Iowa as defined in state law Iowa Legislature – Great Seal and Motto.
Geography
Iowa occupies a transition zone between eastern forests and western tallgrass prairie, with terrain of rolling plains and fertile soils shaped by glaciation and river systems Britannica. Its borders meet Minnesota (north), Wisconsin and Illinois (across the Mississippi River, east), Missouri (south), and South Dakota and Nebraska (across the Big Sioux and Missouri rivers, west) Britannica. Distinctive landforms include the Loess Hills along the western border—wind‑deposited silt ridges preserved in the Loess Hills State Forest’s four units across Harrison and Monona counties Iowa DNR – Loess Hills State Forest. The state’s highest natural point is Hawkeye Point at 1,670 feet (509 m) in Osceola County Hawkeye Point – Wikipedia.
Climate
Iowa’s climate is continental, with cold winters and warm summers. NOAA’s 2022 State Climate Summary reports statewide temperatures have risen more than 1 °F since the early 20th century, with the greatest warming in winter and fall; projections indicate continued warming and changes in precipitation variability over the 21st century NOAA NCEI – Iowa State Climate Summary (2022).
History
For millennia the region was home to Indigenous peoples, including the Ioway (Báxoje), Meskwaki (Sac & Fox), Sauk, and Sioux nations Britannica; the Meskwaki Nation provides a detailed account of its history and continued presence in Iowa today Meskwaki Nation – History. The United States acquired the area as part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France National Archives – Louisiana Purchase Treaty. The Iowa Territory was established by the Organic Act of 1838, creating territorial offices and institutions ahead of statehood State Historical Society of Iowa – Territorial Records. Iowa was admitted to the Union as the 29th state on December 28, 1846 Britannica.
Government and politics
Iowa’s constitution divides power among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—in line with the separation of powers Iowa Legislature – The Three Branches of Government. The Great Seal statute codifies the state motto and iconography used across official emblems Iowa Legislature – Great Seal and Motto. In national politics, Iowa has played a prominent role in presidential nominating cycles through its early‑year party caucuses, drawing substantial attention from candidates and media Britannica.
Iowa’s economy combines agricultural dominance with diversified industries in manufacturing and services. USDA data show Iowa as a national leader in corn and soybean production and a top producer of hogs, with 2024 indicators reflecting large‑scale inventories and high grain output USDA NASS – 2024 Iowa State Agriculture Overview. Manufacturing—including food processing and machinery—along with finance and insurance are central components of the state’s economic base Britannica. The insurance industry has a significant footprint in Des Moines, home to Principal Financial Group’s world headquarters and EMC Insurance Companies’ headquarters Principal Financial Group – World HeadquartersEMC Insurance Companies – Contact. Agriculture’s prominence is tied to the state’s fertile soils and extensive row‑crop agriculture across the Corn Belt, while value‑added processing and biofuels further integrate farming with industry Britannica.
