Iowa map, USA

Iowa, one of the safest states in the US, ranks 26th in the state in terms of area and 31st in terms of population. It is located in the so-called Midwest of the country. Iowa is sometimes referred to as the food capital of the world or the “Heart of America”.

The geographical position of the state of Iowa on the map of the USA

The entire territory of the state stretches between the two largest North American rivers, the Missouri and the Mississippi.

To the east, Iowa borders Illinois and Wisconsin. The lands of Minnesota adjoin the northern outskirts. The western territories are adjacent to the states of Nebraska and South Dakota. Across the southern border, along the Des Moines River, is the state of Missouri.

Location map of Iowa in the US.

A map of Iowa shows that there are 99 counties in the state. The administrative center of the region, the city of Des Moines, is shifted closer to the south and removed approximately the same distance from the eastern and western borders.

The relief of Iowa is hilly, with numerous river valleys that are actively used for agricultural production. Approximately a third of the state’s territory is occupied by pastures, only 7% of the area has forests. The highest point of Iowa on the map is Hawkeye Point (509 m), the lowest is the Keokak Plain with an indicator of 146 m above sea level.

Iowa’s climate is characterized as humid continental with warm summers and snowy winters. The average temperature in January is observed in the range from 11 to 2 degrees below zero, in July it ranges from 19 to 30 degrees above zero. The territory of the state is considered to be the so-called “Tornado Alley” – on average, destructive whirlwinds sweep over Iowa more than 35 times a year.

Major cities of Iowa on the map

The largest cities in the state include settlements with a population of 67 thousand to 200 thousand people.

Des Moines

The regional capital is located at the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers. It arose in the middle of the 19th century as a fort to monitor the militant Indian tribes. Under him, a homesteader settlement subsequently arose , which became the administrative center of Polk County.

Des Moines occupies a flat area, only some streets descend in gentle hills. Among the main attractions of the city are the Historic Farm, an open-air museum of agriculture, the majestic Capitol, museums of history, science and culture, the Des Moines Art Center.

Cedar Rapids

The second largest city in Iowa is located in Lynn County , on both banks of the Cedar River , 160 km east of Des Moines. Sometimes Cedar Rapids is called the City of Five Seasons, highlighting, in addition to four, one more season, the fifth, during which they admire the other four seasons. In the business center, a sculpture of the Tree of the Five Seasons was erected.

Cedar Rapids is considered a thriving city of arts and theater – the City, the Paramount Theater , as well as museums – art, Czech and Slovak, African American, Grant Wood’s studio.

Davenport

A major port on the Mississippi River, Davenport is the county seat of Scott County. Known throughout the country for Bucktown , the historic eastern part of the center, once the most vile town in all of America with a large number of bars and brothels.

At the same time, art and music developed in Bucktown , a symphony orchestra was founded, the first art gallery in the United States, an opera house was opened, which is still located in the same place in the northern part of Bucktown . Now the Bucktown Arts Center is the heart of Davenport’s life.

Sioux City

Iowa’s major railroad and industrial hub lies off the northwestern edge of Plymouth and Woodbury counties . Sioux City quarters are located on the banks of the Missouri, in the upper reaches of its navigable section.

The city is known for the development of sports – American indoor football, baseball, ice hockey teams play successful matches with rivals.

Waterloo

Black Hawk County’s principal city is the eighth largest in the state of Iowa. Historical buildings of the 19th century have been preserved in Waterloo – Rensselaer Russell House, Snowden House , which are interesting to travelers.

Sullivan Brothers Museum contains an exhibition dedicated to the five members of the same family who died in the crash of the Juneau cruiser during World War II.

A former French colony, Iowa today is a state with a diversified economy, developed culture and arts.