Map of Indiana and Flag | Outline, Counties, Cities and Road Map
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Situated in the Midwestern and Great Lakes regions of North America, Indiana is a state known for basketball enthusiasts. The “Hoosiers” movie might explain the craze to you perfectly.
Enjoy great parties, games and weather which will leave you surprised and confused with its daily variations providing a perfect overall experience in even just a short period of time. Get to know more about the Fried Food state, Indiana through this article.
Why is Indiana called the Hoosier state?
The residents of Indiana are called Hoosiers and all for a good reason. The term is used all over Indiana be it businesses or organizations, you cannot skip the name if you are in Indiana.
The name was adopted 150 years ago but it became mainstream and a lot of light was shone on it by John Finley’s poem “The Hoosier’s Nest”.
There is no commonly agreed-upon origin of the word Hoosier but in some folk etymologies, it is said that back in the older times, the travelers who used to visit or pass through these lands used to let themselves be known from afar to avoid getting shot.
In reply to them, the natives used to say “Who’s here?” in Appalachian English which later just turned into a single word and which is now a part of their identity.
Where did Indiana get its name from?
Indiana has a rich history starting from when it was occupied, the borders were not fully defined in separating it from adjacent lands.
The Mound Builders and the Indians were the people who occupied these lands when it was colonized by the French. It used to be a part of Louisiana at a point.
When the land came under British rule after the Indian and French war, there were still no defining borders to mark a proper territory. In the old world, the names of the lands were usually after its inhabitants or the leader-like.
For example; Virginia means the land of virgin and Georgia refers to the land of King George. Similarly, Indiana was decided upon when Ohio was created out of eastern division and the western division was then named Indiana.
Indiana Flag Facts
The Hoosier state flag is rather simple and one might even think of the design as elegant. It was adopted on May 11, 1917. It was the very first state flag that Indiana has ever had and it has remained unchanged ever since.
The flag was chosen through a contest sponsored by the Indiana Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The winning entry was by Paul Hadley who then won the hundred-dollar cash prize.
Colors and Meanings of Indiana Flag
The colors of the Indiana flag are rather simple with the use of gold and dark blue. The original flag’s design had one change which was that they added the word Indiana over the top of the torch in a crescent shape.
The golden torch represents liberty and enlightenment. The rays represent the wide influence whereas the nineteen stars symbolize how Indiana was the nineteenth state to join the Union.
The 13 outer loop stars represent the 13 colonies whereas the five stars represent the five states that were added to the Union after Indiana. The biggest star over the torch represents Indiana.
Population of Indiana
Despite being the land of Indians, the actual number of American Indians or Alaska Natives are very low with them making up only 0.3% of the total population of 6.7 million.
The state is mostly inhabited by white people and then followed by African Americans and Asian Americans.
Languages spoken in Indiana
Like every other state of the US, Indiana also offers diversity. Around 8.4% of the people in Indiana are bilingual. This might not seem like a lot but when you are out there, you find a decent number of bilingual people. Here are some of the languages that can be found in this region:
- Spanish
- German
- Dutch
- Chinese
- Hindi
- French
- Arabic
- Tagalog
- Vietnamese
- Korean
Interesting Facts About Indiana
- Every region has its history but Indiana’s dates back to the end of the Ice Age! It has been inhabited since 8000BC and the people then were known as Paleo-Indians.
- Indiana was first colonized by French and then later it was lost to Britain in a war that lasted for seven years.
- We all know the good things about Indiana but you might not know that the first-ever train robbery in the US occurred in Indiana.
- Indiana adopted the motto “The Crossroads of America” which was originally just applied to Indianapolis but later it fitted the entire Indiana as it became more connected to other interstate roads.
- Welcoming is not even a close adjective to the kind of humanity and hospitality that people of Indiana possess. They have smuggled and provided shelter to countless runaway slaves.
Best Places to Visit in Indiana
Indiana is not just about its people, the diversity and the rich history but also the landmarks and the state’s efforts in providing the tourists with an ideal experience including great fried food. Here are some of our favorite places in Indiana that you must visit on your trip here
- Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art – Art has always been not just an intricate but a fascinating subject that greatly challenges your perspective of things and exposes you to someone else’s world and their view of things. Get to experience different eras through art.
- Prophetstown State Park – A great place for you and your family to have fun in a fresh environment with a specially designed overall program that embodies a 1920s motif allowing you first-hand experiences with livestock and gardening.
- Fall Creek Gorge Potholes – This place is characterized by steep walls and potholes in the sandstone bed. The place requires a small hike to get to but the scenery makes up for the troubles. The place itself might not be ideal for a swim but it is a unique, beautiful sight.
BOOK HOTEL IN ANY PART OF INDIANA AT GREAT PRICES