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More About Iowa State
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Pages: Des Moines | | |
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g performing arts, historic sites, and art museums. This is the land of Native American warrior Black Hawk and the birthplace of Buffalo Bill Cody, John Wayne, Herbert Hoover, Meredith Willson, and Dr. James Van Allen.
Four glacial epochs and centuries of untouched wilderness fertilized the soil of Iowa before Marquette and Jolliet came in 1673. A favorite Native American hunting ground, Iowa was part of the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis and Clark passed through in 1804 on their arduous trip to find out what the United States had bought. Treaties with the Native Americans in 1832, 1837, and 1842 opened the area to European settlers. Pioneer settlements were made in Lee County in 1820, at Burlington in 1832, and at Dubuque in 1833. The Territory of Iowa was created from the Territory of Wisconsin in 1838.
In its 300-mile east-west sweep and 210-mile north-south stretch, Iowa has nearly 56,000 acres of natural and man-made lakes, 19,000 miles of interior fishing streams, and 72 state parks and recreation areas.
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Iowa
Statistics & Vital Data |  |
| Population: | 2926324 |
| Area: | 55,965 square miles |
| Timezone: | Central |
| Elevation: | 480-1,670 feet |
| High
point: | Near Ocheyedan (Osceola County) |
| Joined
Union: | December 28, 1846 (29th state) |
| State
Capital: | Des Moines |
| State
Motto: | "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" |
| State
Flower: | Wild Rose |
| State
Bird: | Eastern Goldfinch |
| State
Tree: | Oak |
| State
Fair: | August, in Des Moines |
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Iowa Events >> | | View
Iowa Attractions >> |
Iowa Parks, Recreation Areas, & Historical Landmarks:
State Parks - Water-related activities, hiking, riding, various other sports, picnicking and visitor centers, as well as camping, are available in many of Iowa's state parks. Swimming fees at supervised beaches (bathhouse included) vary. Camping is limited to two weeks; and no reservations are accepted: $9-$11 per night per site (electricity $5 additional; sewer and water $3 additional). Cabins (no bedding, linens): $25-$100 per day or $150-$600 per week; cot, where available, $1 per cot per day; deposit $50. Pets are permitted on leash only. State properties are open daily. At most parks, water facilities are unavailable mid-Oct-mid-Apr. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Bldg, Des Moines 50319; phone 515/281-5145 (automated system).
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list of all parks in Iowa >> | |
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Iowa
Weather and Climate:
Typical Midwestern weather is the norm in Iowa. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold and harsh. Long Indian summers can stretch into November, while spring is usually short and rainy. | |
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Fishing/Hunting
Opportunities in Iowa:
Fishing for walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, perch, bluegill, smallmouth bass, catfish, and bullhead is good in the natural lakes of northern Iowa. The man-made lakes in the southern part of the state are abundant with largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. There are 87,000 farm ponds in the state, 50 spring-fed trout streams in the northeastern section, and more than 56,000 acres of natural and man-made lakes. Public access to fishing water is furnished at more than 200 state-owned areas, 19,000 miles of meandering inland streams, and 600 miles of boundary streams. A resident or nonresident aged 16 to 64 who is required to have a fishing license shall not fish unless the person has paid a fish habitat fee ($3.50). A resident or nonresident, when fishing in a privately owned farm pond or lake, is exempt from the fish habitat fee. Ring-necked pheasant is a popular target of hunters, with all counties open for a 50-plus-day season. Quail hunting, primarily in the southern half of the state, has a season that lasts for approximately 90 days. Ruffed grouse provide a challenge to hunters in northeastern hills, while gray partridges offer good hunting opportunities in the north and north-central counties. Raccoons, rabbits, foxes, and gray squirrels are numerous. Nonresident season hunting license, $80; duck stamp, $8.50 more. Nonresident season fishing license, $36; seven-day license, $270; trout stamp, $130 more. Required for all hunters and fur harvesters: state habitat stamp, $8.50. Nonresident fur harvester license $2,000. Nonresident deer tag, $309.50; nonresident turkey tag, $100.50; both require a habitat stamp. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines 50319-0034; phone 515/281-5918. | |
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| | Additional Iowa Visitor Information:
The Department of Economic Development, Iowa Division of Tourism, 200 E Grand Ave, Des Moines 50309, has further information, including an Iowa Travel Guide, Camping & Outdoor Guide, and Calendar of Events; phone 515/242-4705 or toll-free 888/472-6035.
Two periodicals worth looking at are Annals of Iowa, quarterly, State Historical Society of Iowa, 402 Iowa Ave, Iowa City 52240 and The Iowan, quarterly, Mid-America Publishing Corp, Box 130, Shenandoah 51601.
There are 22 welcome centers in Iowa; visitors will find information and brochures most helpful in planning stops at points of interest. They are located near the following cities: Amana, Bloomfield, Burlington, Clear Lake, Davis City, Des Moines, Dows, Dubuque, Elk Horn, Elkader, Emmetsburg, Lamoni, LeClaire, Missouri Valley, Sergeant Bluff, Sioux City, Underwood, Victor, and Wilton. |
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