Ohio

This Midwestern state stretches from the southern shore of Lake Erie down to the river bearing its name, covering 88 counties with landscapes that range from forested hills to flat farmland and industrial waterfronts. Major cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati sit amid smaller towns, rural areas, and state parks that spread across the territory.

Native tribes lived in the region for centuries before European settlers arrived from the Northwest Territory in the late 1700s. It joined the Union in 1803 as the 17th state and quickly grew into an agricultural and industrial center during the westward expansion.

Sports and college football draw large crowds on weekends, bringing communities together around professional teams and university rivalries that shape local identity. Neighborhood festivals often feature live music, craft breweries, and regional dishes like Cincinnati chili or pierogies, celebrating the blend of Appalachian, Midwestern, and immigrant traditions that visitors encounter in towns and cities alike.

Highways connect the major cities and provide access to neighboring states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. Driving is the easiest way to move between most areas, though public transit operates mainly in urban centers and some college towns.

Seven U.S. presidents were born here, more than in any other state, including Ulysses Grant and William Howard Taft. This connection earned it the informal nickname Mother of Presidents, a fact often mentioned in local museums and historical sites across the territory.

Location: United States

Inception: March 1, 1803

Capital city: Columbus

Elevation above the sea: 260 m

Part of: Midwestern United States, contiguous United States

Shares border with: Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ontario

Website: https://ohio.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.22536,-82.68814

Latest update: December 2, 2025 20:39