Iowa – Quick & Fun Facts, Things to Do, Weather

Petr Novák

Iowa (IA) is a major agricultural state in the American Midwest, within the USA it is a major producer of corn, soybeans and pork. The capital and largest city in Iowa is Des Moines, and the state borders Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. Until 1763, Iowa was part of a larger area known as New France.

Map of Iowa State | Where is Iowa? | Iowa – Quick & Fun Facts, Things to Do, Weather

  1. Table of Contents
    1. Quick Facts
    2. Fun Facts About Iowa
    3. Weather in Iowa
    4. Things to Do in Iowa
    5. Largest Cities in Iowa
    6. Sports Teams in Iowa
    7. Iowa State Symbols

    Quick Facts

    Name Iowa
    Abbreviation IA
    Capital Des Moines
    Largest city Des Moines (Population: 210 381)
    Current time 11:53
    Time zone CST (UTC-6), state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5)
    Population 3,190,427 (#31 most populous US state)
    Area 56,273 mi² (#26 largest US state)
    Admitted to the Union December 28, 1846 (#29 state to join)

    ⭐ Capital of Iowa

    The capital of Iowa is Des Moines, which was originally established as a fort in May 1843. The name refers to the Des Moines River, which was named by French explorers. Des Moines became the capital in 1857.

    🏙️ Largest City in Iowa

    The largest city in Iowa is Des Moines, with a population of 210,381 in 2023. The second largest city is Cedar Rapids with a population of 135,958 and the third largest city is Davenport with a population of 100,354.

    🕒 Time in Iowa

    The current time in Iowa is 11:53. The entire state is governed by Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6), with the state switching to Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) from March to November.

    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Population of Iowa

    As of 2023, Iowa had a population of 3,190,427, ranking it as the 31st most populous state in the USA.

    📍 Area of Iowa

    Iowa’s total area is 56,273 mi², of which 55,857 mi² is land and only 416 mi² is water. Iowa is the 26th largest state in the USA.

  2. Fun Facts About Iowa

    🧩 Iowa Neighboring States

    Iowa is bordered by six American states. Nebraska to the west, South Dakota to the northwest, Minnesota to the north, Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the east, and Missouri to the south.

    📅 Date of Iowa Statehood

    Iowa entered the Union on December 28, 1846 as the 29th state in the order, having evolved from the original Iowa Territory.

    📛 Nickname of the State of Iowa

    Iowa has been nicknamed “The Hawkeye State” since the state’s founding, in reference to the chief of the Sauk Indian tribe, Black Hawk. The chief and his tribe were relocated to what is now Iowa after an unsuccessful battle with settlers. However, it should be noted that this is a legend and should be taken with a grain of salt.

    ⛰️ Highest Mountain in Iowa

    The highest mountain in Iowa, with 1,671 ft, is Hawkeye Point, which is located near the state border with Minnesota.

    🏞️ Rivers in Iowa

    The longest river in Iowa is the Missouri River with the total length of flow in all states 2,343 mi. It is followed by the Mississippi River (2,318 mi), the Des Moines River (525 mi), the Big Sioux River (419 mi), and the Cedar River (338 mi).

    🎓 Universities in Iowa

    The largest university is the University of Iowa with 30 thousand students, founded in 1847 in Iowa City. In second place is also Iowa State University with 30 thousand students and in third place is the University of Northern Iowa with approximately 9 thousand enrolled students.

    ✉️ Iowa ZIP Codes

    Iowa has dedicated ZIP code ranges of 500xx-516xx and 520xx-528xx, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA for more detailed information. You can look up the ZIP code for a specific address on the USPS website.

  3. Weather in Iowa

    The best time of year to visit Iowa is fall, when weather conditions are ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. The weather is often stable, temperatures are mild, and rainfall is average or slightly lower than other times of the year.

    Spring in Iowa is marked by changeable weather, with rain showers being very common. April and May tend to be the rainiest months, with snowfall occurring primarily in March and early April. Average temperatures range between 46°F and 55°F.

    Iowa summers are traditionally very warm, with temperatures typically ranging from 73°F to 86°F. In July and August, summer thunderstorms with heavy rain are frequent, and the high humidity can cause an unpleasantly stuffy feeling.

    Autumn in Iowa is drier and significantly cooler than summer. Temperatures generally range between 46°F and 55°F. The weather tends to be stable and rainfall decreases, creating favorable conditions for hiking and exploring the countryside.

    Winters in Iowa are very cold, with temperatures dropping to 28°F to 18°F and snow showers are common. Especially in December and January, up to 30 cm snow can fall per month.

    🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Iowa

    Weather in Iowa | Average temperatures and precipitation in Iowa | © Petr Novák
  4. Things to Do in Iowa

    1️⃣ Adventureland Amusement Park

    Adventureland in Altoona is the largest amusement park in Iowa, offering a full day of fun for the whole family. Among the more than one hundred attractions are thrill roller coasters, centrifuges and rides for smaller children. The adjacent Water World offers welcome refreshment in the summer months with water slides or rafting in the man-made riverbed.

    🗺️ Altoona, Iowa

    🔗 Official Website

    2️⃣ Building the Capitol in Des Moines

    The Capitol Building in Des Moines is one of the most recognizable buildings in all of Iowa, thanks in large part to its gilded dome, which is highly visible from a distance. The Neo-Renaissance Revival-style Capitol was built between 1871 and 1886, and visitors can tour the interior of the building and see historic items on a free tour.

    🗺️ Des Moines, Iowa

    3️⃣ Maquoketa Caves State Park

    The main attraction of Maquoketa Caves State Park is the network of caves that are accessible to both casual visitors and experienced cavers. The most famous cave is the 800 ft long Dancehall Cave. Several hiking trails have been laid out in the state park, and camping and picnic areas are also available.

    🗺️ Maquoketa, Iowa

    🔗 Official Website

    4️⃣ Pikes Peak State Park

    Pikes Peak State Park sits on the bluffs above the Mississippi River, offering beautiful views. The confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers can be viewed from the observation platforms, and in addition to the natural beauty, old Indian mounds can be seen. The park offers great conditions for hiking, camping and picnicking.

    🗺️ McGregor, Iowa

    🔗 Official Website

    5️⃣ Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad

    The historic Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad offers a unique steam locomotive experience through the scenic Iowa countryside. The highlight of the ride is crossing the 185.0 ft high bridge that spans the Des Moines River. The station includes a museum that traces the history of the railroad.

    🗺️ Boone, Iowa

    🔗 Official Website

    6️⃣ Amana Colonies

    An interesting attraction in Iowa is the historic community of Amana, which consists of seven different villages founded by German immigrants during the 19th century. The settlements are known for their unique architecture and preserved traditional crafts such as furniture making. Tourists can sample the food in the restaurants and breweries or take part in several festivals, such as the Oktoberfest in October.

    🗺️ Amana, Iowa

    🔗 Official Website

    7️⃣ Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

    The Loess Hills are a 220 mi long roadway that runs through a hilly area of the same name popular with photographers. There are several overlooks and hiking trails along the length of the road where you can stop and take in the beautiful scenery. Interesting stops are the sleepy villages you’ll encounter along the way.

    🗺️ Sioux City, Iowa – St. Joseph, Missouri

    🔗 Official Website

    8️⃣ Living History Farms

    Living History Farms in Urbandale is an interactive museum that focuses on the evolution of agriculture from the 18th century to the present. Visitors can see replicas of historic farms and watch first-hand demonstrations of various farming techniques in an open-air exhibition. The museum’s exhibits are arranged into several periods, with Indian villages and industrial farms being featured separately.

    🗺️ Urbandale, Iowa

    🔗 Official Website

    9️⃣ Iowa State Fairgrounds

    For a very unusual experience, the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines hosts one of the largest and best-known agricultural shows in the USA every late summer. It includes not only livestock shows, but also concerts, competitions and food booths. One of the show’s greatest traditions is the butter cow sculpture.

    🗺️ Des Moines, Iowa

    🔗 Official Website

    🔟 Snake Alley

    Snake Alley is a relatively short street in the city of Burlington that was the most winding street in the world when it opened in 1894. It was only surpassed by the now very popular Lombard Street in San Francisco. Snake Alley today serves more as a quirky attraction, having previously served as an alternative route in the hilly part of town.

    🗺️ Burlington, Iowa

  5. Largest Cities in Iowa

    The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Iowa in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose primary function is to count the population.

    City County Population
    1 Des Moines Polk, Warren 210,381 Map of Des Moines
    2 Cedar Rapids Linn 135,958 Map of Cedar Rapids
    3 Davenport Scott 100,354 Map of Davenport
    4 Sioux City Woodbury, Plymouth 85,727 Map of Sioux City
    5 Iowa City Johnson 75,678 Map of Iowa City
    6 Ankeny Polk 74,458 Map of Ankeny
    7 West Des Moines Polk, Dallas, Warren 72,205 Map of West Des Moines
    8 Waterloo Black Hawk 66,606 Map of Waterloo
    9 Ames Story 65,686 Map of Ames
    10 Council Bluffs Pottawattamie 62,399 Map of Council Bluffs
  6. Sports Teams in Iowa

    🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)

    No team from Iowa plays in the NHL.

    🏈 American Football (NFL)

    There is no team from Iowa in the NFL.

    🏀 Basketball (NBA)

    Iowa is not represented in the NBA.

    ⚾ Baseball (MLB)

    There is no team from Iowa in the MLB baseball league.

    ⚽ Soccer (MLS)

    There is no team in Iowa that plays MLS.

  7. State Flag of Iowa | The Great Seal of the State of Iowa

    Iowa State Symbols

    Iowa has fewer official symbols enshrined in legislation than other American states.

    State Flag of Iowa

    Iowa’s state flag resembles the French flag, but differs from it in having a wider central white stripe. In addition, an eagle in the middle of the white section with blue ribbons spread in its beak completes the state motto. Underneath it all is the name of the state of Iowa. The flag has been in use since March 29, 1921, and was designed by local native Dixie Cornell Gebhardt.

    Great Seal of Iowa

    The Great Seal of State was adopted in February 1847, the year after Iowa became a member of the Union. The seal’s main motif is a soldier standing in the middle of a wheat field, surrounded by other symbols of agriculture, mining, and shipping. He holds an American flag in his hand and an eagle flies overhead, holding a ribbon with the Iowa state motto in its beak.

    State Flower

    The rose became the official symbol of Iowa in 1897. Although its exact species is not specified anywhere in the law, the most commonly cited is the prairie rose (Rosa pratincola, which is the same as Rosa arkansana).

    State Bird

    The state’s bird symbol became the American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) in 1933, which is found in Iowa mostly in the summer months and migrates south in the winter.

    State Tree

    In 1961, the oak was declared the official state tree, without any specification as to what species it was.

    State Song

    The official state anthem since March 20, 1911, is The Song of Iowa, which uses the familiar tune O Tannenbaum. The lyrics of the anthem were written by American soldier Samuel Hawkins Marshall Byers in 1867.

    State Rock

    In 1967, a law was passed that designated geode as Iowa’s state rock. It is not a specific rock; the term geode refers to a cavity in the rock that is filled around the perimeter with mineral crystals. Geode State Park is located on the southeastern edge of Iowa where this type of rock can be viewed.

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