 Iowa: Midwest travel is at its vacation best, Americas welcome center.
Iowa sightseeing ranges from historic frontier forts to culturally rich cities, from authentic American farms to Old World charm in places such as Pella and the Amana Colonies to world-famous movie sites, including Field of Dreams and The Bridges of Madison County.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a fun-filled family vacation in the land between the Mississippi River and the Missouri River, nearly everything you need to know about Iowa attractions, destinations and special events is just a mouse click away.
Population
According to the most recent census figures, Iowa's estimated population is 2,870,000, ranking Iowa as 30th in population and 23rd in land area.
Largest cities:
Des Moines: 191,293
Cedar Rapids: 114,563
Davenport: 96,842
Sioux City: 82,697
Waterloo: 63,703
Iowa City: 60,897
Dubuque: 56,467
Council Bluffs: 56,312
Ames: 48,415
West Des Moines: 42,333
In the United States, Iowa ranks:
First in pork production
First in corn production
First in soybean production
Central
Welcome to the center of things for town and country fun. Iowa's capital, Des Moines, is a futuristic skywalk city renowned for world-class entertainment, Living History Farms, and its open-to-the-public governor's mansion, Victorian Terrace Hill. College and professional sports, glittering casinos, antique shopping, historic museums, diverse cultural events, and child-centered fun make Central Iowa a family-vacation destination
Education
Iowa-educated youth have led the nation in SAT and ACT scores for the past two decades. Iowa has three state universities, 62 public and private colleges and 15 community colleges on 28 campuses.
Geography and Climate
Iowa is centrally located in the heart of North America, a welcoming place to stop and visit. With the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi to the east, Iowa is the only state bordered by two navigable rivers.
A farm north of Sibley in Osceola County marks Iowa's highest point, 1,670 feet above sea level. Conversely, Iowa's lowest point is at the confluence to the Des Moines and Mississippi Rivers in Lee County, 470 feet above sea level.
Iowa's four distinct seasons provide a wide range of temperature variation through the year - a perfect place to celebrate summertime sunshine and winter wonders!
State Park Campgrounds
For more than 75 years, Iowa state parks and recreation areas have been the center of outdoor family fun. State parks, forests and recreation areas are open to the public year-round, seven days a week. State parks open at 4:00 a.m. and close at 10:30 p.m.
Rental cabins are available at 10 state parks. Contact park rangers for specific information.
Industry
The largest source of personal income for Iowans is manufacturing, followed by services, retail/wholesale trade and government. Twenty-four percent of America's pork and four percent of the nation's grain-fed beef are raised in Iowa. Iowa ranks first in the nation in grain harvested.
Agriculture
Producing food, fuel, clothing and medicine for the world, agriculture is a leading industry in Iowa, a state with more than 97,000 farms. One Iowa farm family grows enough food and fiber to feed 279 people, one-fourth of whom live overseas. |
