Iowa, State in Midwestern United States
Iowa is a state in the Midwestern United States, positioned between the Mississippi River on its eastern border and the Missouri River on the west. The landscape consists mostly of gentle hills, wide fields and small towns connected by country roads.
The region entered the Union as the 29th state in December 1846, following the displacement of indigenous peoples who had lived here for thousands of years. European settlers arrived in the mid-1800s and quickly transformed the prairies into farmland.
Small towns hold county fairs where locals display their livestock, handmade crafts and baked goods throughout the summer and early fall months. These gatherings reveal how communities still center their social life around farming traditions and neighborly competition.
The capital Des Moines sits centrally and connects to other cities via Interstate 35 and Interstate 80, making travel through the region straightforward. Most towns are small and spread out, so a car is nearly always necessary for moving between communities.
The territory holds 99 counties, each with its own courthouse, creating an unusually high density of administrative centers. This structure reflects the historical priority that residents should reach their county seat within a day's horseback ride.
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