Geography of Iowa

Introduction to Geography of Iowa

Iowa, one of the Midwestern states of the United States. It lies between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and is bordered by Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Iowa covers 56,276 square miles (145,754 km2) and is the 26th largest state.

Physical Geography

Iowa lies within the Central Lowlands region of the United States and consists mostly of flat to rolling land. Glaciers shaped most of the terrain by laying down thick deposits of debris, called drift, during the last Ice Age. In some places they left distinct topographic features, largest of which are the till plains of mixed clays, sands, gravels, and boulders. Also of glacial origin are thick deposits of compacted silt, called loess, which cover large areas.

North-central Iowa is the flattest part of the state. Southern and western Iowa consists mostly of rolling to hilly land. The northeast is a hilly area that was virtually untouched by glaciers, and consequently, has been subjected to erosion over a long period of time. High bluffs line some of Iowa's rivers, particularly the Missouri and the Mississippi.

The highest point in Iowa, 1,670 feet (509 m), is in the northwest; the lowest point, 480 feet (146 m), is in the southeast on the Mississippi River.

All the rivers of Iowa are part of the Mississippi River drainage system. They flow either southeastward to the Mississippi itself or southwestward to the Missouri, the Mississippi's chief tributary. The largest rivers within the state are the Des Moines and the Iowa, which flow to the Mississippi.

Numerous small lakes of glacial origin dot north-central Iowa. Several large artificial lakes, including Rathbun, Red Rock, and Saylorville, have been impounded, primarily for recreational use and flood control.

Iowa has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. July temperatures average near 75° F. (24° C.) throughout the state and normally reach daily highs of 85° to 90° F. (29° to 32° C.). January temperatures average about 14° to 22° F. (-10° to -6° C.), increasing from north to south. Daily lows during January are normally between 8° and 18° F. (-13° and -8° C.).

Annual precipitation ranges from about 25 inches (635 mm) in the west to 35 inches Thomas Hovland/Grant Heilman Photography (890 mm) in the east. Most of the precipitation is in the form of rain, falling mainly during spring and summer. Snowfall is moderate throughout the state.

Blizzards, tornadoes, and hailstorms occasionally strike the state.

Most of Iowa was originally grassland; forests probably occupied only about 15 per cent of the land. Today, most of the state's land is used for farming; virtually nothing remains of the grassland, and forests cover only about 4 per cent of the state. Nearly all the forested area consists of privately owned woodlots on farms, mostly in the eastern part of the state. More than 70 species of trees are native to Iowa; virtually all are hardwoods. Oaks, maples, and hickories are among the chief trees.

Economy

Iowa's economy is based heavily on agriculture. Not only is farming itself of enormous importance, but many of the state's nonagricultural economic activities, including much of the manufacturing, are related to farming.

In value of production, manufacturing surpasses all other economic activities. Manufacturing, particularly food processing, is also the leading source of personal income for Iowans. Wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, service industries, and government are the state's chief sources of nonagricultural employment. Though engaging far fewer workers, finance, insurance, real estate, transportation, utilities, and construction contribute substantially to Iowa's economy.

Iowa normally ranks third among the 50 states in value of agricultural production, surpassed only by California and Texas. Some 90 per cent of the state is farmland, which include about 90,000 farms.

Corn and soybeans are the most valuable and widely grown crops. Iowa ranks first in corn production and among the leading states in soybeans. Hay, wheat, and oats are also produced in large amounts. Much of the state's corn output is used to feed livestock.

In total value, hogs are the leading farm product. Roughly a fourth of the nation's hogs are produced in Iowa, more than any other state. In cattle production, Iowa ranks among the top states. Many cattle are brought in from Western states as feeder cattle to be fattened before going to market.

Iowa is also a leading dairy state, particularly milk and egg production. Farms also produce chickens and turkeys, sheep and some horses.

Iowa's manufacturing industries produce a great variety of goods. Most of the factories have been established since the mid-20th century and have greatly helped to diversify the economy.

Particularly important is the processing of foods, especially meats, grain mill products, and dairy goods. The manufacturing of machinery, most notably farm and construction machinery, is also of major significance. Important, too, is the making of household appliances, fabricated metal goods, electrical equipment, chemicals, rubber products, and printed materials. Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Davenport, Dubuque, and Waterloo are the leading manufacturing centers.

Limestone is Iowa's main source of mining income. Other minerals produced include sand and gravel, clays, cement, gypsum, and peat.

Iowa is served by extensive networks of roads and railways. The road system is aligned mainly north-south and east-west, forming a distinct grid. Three Interstate highways either cross Iowa or traverse much of the state; two serve Des Moines. Railway passenger service is provided at several cities by Amtrak. Iowa's chief airports are in Des Moines, Davenport, and Cedar Rapids.

The Mississippi and Missouri rivers are currently as well as historically significant as a means of transportation. Barges carrying bulk cargo are the chief users of the rivers.

The People

Iowa ranks 30th among the states in population. New England farmers settling Iowa in the 1850's were followed by Germans and Scandinavians. In 2000 Iowa had one of the highest percentages of whites (nearly 94 per cent) in the nation. Nonwhites included some 62,000 blacks, 36,600 Asians, and 7,000 American Indians, including about 615 on the Sac and Fox Reservation near Tama.

Education

The state department of education is headed by a director, appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate. The compulsory school attendance law, enacted in 1902, requires all children from age 6 to age 16 to attend school.

The first school in Iowa opened in 1830 in what is now Lee County. By 1838, more than 40 schools were established as subscription (tuition-fee) schools. The present educational system is based on a law passed in 1858 by the state legislature. The Iowa system of public higher education and of schools for the disabled are both governed by the state board of regents, created in 1909. The Smouse Opportunity School, which opened in 1931 at Des Moines, was the nation's first public school for disabled children.

There are three major state universities. The University of Iowa, at Iowa City, was opened in 1855. Iowa State University, at Ames, a land-grant institution, was founded in 1858 and opened in 1868. The University of Northern Iowa, at Cedar Falls, was opened in 1876.

Government

Iowa is governed under its 1857 constitution, the second in its history. The first Constitution was adopted in 1846 when Iowa became a state. The governor is the head of state. The governor is elected to a four-year term and can serve an unlimited number of terms. The governor appoints the heads of state agencies and departments. Other appointments must be approved by the state Senate. The other high executive officials such as the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, teasurer, and secretary of agriculture are all elected to four-year terms.

The state legislature is called the General Assembly. The General Assemly consists of two houses: a 50-member Senate and a 100-member House of Representatives. State senators serve four years and state representatives serve two years.

The state's judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the state. Iowa also has a Court of appeals, and a district court with branches throughout the state. The governor appoints the seven justices of the Supreme Court and the judges of the other courts from lists submitted by nominating commissions. The judges stand for retention in a nonpartisan election.

Most cities in Iowa have a mayor-council form of government and many have a council-manager government. Iowa has 99 counties and is represented in the United States Congress by two senators and five representatives.

Governors of Iowa