Iowa
State
Information
Iowa State Symbols, Facts & Info
The United States of America accepted Iowa as the 29th state to enter the union. Below, you will find the official state symbols and interesting facts about Iowa.
State Name:
Iowa
Abbreviation:
IA
Capital:
Des Moines
Date of Statehood:
December 28, 1846
Population:
2,966,334 (US Census 2005 estimate)
Primary Agriculture:
Iowa ranks first in the nation in grain harvested. Producing food, fuel, clothing and medicine for the world, agriculture is a leading industry in Iowa, a state with more than 100,000 farms. One Iowa farm family grows enough food and fiber to feed 279 people, one-fourth of whom live overseas.
Primary 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.
Nickname:
The Hawkeye State
Motto:
Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.
Flower:
Wild Rose (Legislation of 1897)
Tree:
Oak (Legislation of 1961)
Bird:
American Goldfinch (Legislation of 1933)
Enlarge Bird
Fish:
None (Legislation Pending)
Insect:
None (Legislation Pending)
Gemstone:
Geode (Legislation of 1967)
Official State Seal:
Enlarge Seal
Official State Flag:
Enlarge Flag
State Commemorative Quarter:
From the 1999-2008 United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program
Enlarge Quarter
State Postage Stamp:
From the 2002 United States Postal Service Greetings from America series.
Enlarge Postage Stamp