Map of Iowa and Flag | Outline, Counties, Cities and Road Map
BOOK HOTEL IN ANY PART OF IOWA AT GREAT PRICES
When it comes to the United States you can see a state on a map but frankly, there’s so much diversity that each one is practically a small country unto itself. Today we are going to explore the ‘Hawkeye state’ of Iowa and show you a little of what are talking about.
Iowa definitely has a flavor all of its own and if you are looking for a great place to live or simply to visit then you might be surprised to learn just what this state has to offer. We’ll give you some of the highlights so that you can see for yourself if you might like to visit the Hawkeye state.
After you hear what we have to say, you might even want to stay!
Without further ado, let’s explore Iowa to get a detailed picture of what this state is all about.
Where is Iowa on the map?
Iowa is smack-dab in the Midwest, with 6 states around it. To give you a little perspective here is Iowa’s location relative to those surrounding states:
- Minnesota borders Iowa on the North Side
- South Dakota borders on the Northwest
- Wisconsin borders Iowa on the Northeast
- Illinois is on the East and Southeast borders
- Missouri is down South of Iowa
- Nebraska borders Iowa on the West
Is Iowa a good place to live?
Is Iowa a good place to live? As it turns out, it very much is. Iowa has scored as one of the top states for a lot of categories. Citing cost of living reports and assuming that a score of 100 is the American ‘average’ cost of living, Iowa scored an overall 83.7, meaning you can live quite well on much less.
If we break it down a little, here are some of the areas where Iowa shined:
- Housing 61% cost opposed to 100
- Transportation 71.4% out of 100
- Median home cost $141k vs a U.S. average of $241k
Not everything is cheaper, of course, with medical scoring 20% more at 120, but beyond this everything else in Iowa costs noticeably less. This means you can focus a less on the rat race and a little more on the good life and that’s good news for everybody.
What is Iowa most famous for?
Bordered by 6 states one has to wonder what Iowa has done to stick out from the crowd. First off, we’d have to say that Iowa is well known for Corn. The United States is the largest producer corn in the world, with China coming in second, and Iowa supplies close to 1/5 of it (around 2.7 billion bushels out of 15.1 billion!).
There is also the Iowa State Fair, one of the largest and most famous in the country, and Iowa has long been a home of innovation as well. If you like the fact that your bread doesn’t come in large, unsliced loaves then incidentally you’ve got Iowa to thank. An Iowan by the name of Otto Rohwedder created the first device to slice and bag bread and the rest is delicious history.
Finally, for folks of faith, Iowa is also home to the Grotto of the Redemption, which is located in West Bend and consists of 9 caves depicting the life and times of Jesus Christ. It’s not just an offering of faith, however, as this cave-complex is also home to the biggest man-made collection of minerals, fossils, petrifications, and shells in the world.
Iowa Flag Facts
The Iowa state flag was first approved in May of 1917 but wouldn’t be officially adopted until 1921. The flag itself consists of a tricolor design with blue, white, and red vertical stripes, with the white stripe being the widest and bearing a Bald Eagle at the center carrying a ribbon which reads “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain”.
Here are some interesting facts about the Iowa state flag:
- Iowa 75 years old before it’s flag was adopted
- Due to this Iowa entered the first world war without their own flag
- The blue stripe is for loyalty, justice, and truth
- The white stripe stands for purity
- The red stripe represents courage
- The flag was designed by the ‘Daughters of the American Revolution’ for Iowa National Guardsmen who had requested it while stationed at the border to Mexico during WWI
What is the best city to live in Iowa?
Iowa City is one of the best choices though it is hard to go wrong just about anywhere in this state. Iowa City has a lot going for it, however, if we really have to favor just one. For one thing, it’s a college town, which means that you get a lot of diversity and cultural events. So if you feel like having sushi for lunch, you can certainly have it. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.
From the practical side, parking is cheap and people are quite the considerate drivers, which is refreshing for a big city. It’s a little old fashioned too, as people still write checks in grocery stores. It’s kind of like stepping back in time to something a little more simple and wholesome.
We’ve mentioned the cost of living as being ideal and it certainly it, and while the costs are cheap there are lots of opportunities so it’s not like some states where you might live cheaply but the trick would be finding work!
Despite what you may have heard, Iowa is definitely not all farmers, though it does have a good amount of them. It is likely that this mix of city and country culture, so integrally tied, is part of what gives this state its charm. If you want the city life with all of the opportunities but with the stress dialed down the Iowa City might be the place for you.
What are the best places to visit in Iowa?
If you are only visiting in Iowa then we have a quick list of some places you’ll want to go see if you get the chance. Here are a few of the unique attractions waiting for you in the Hawkeye state:
- Maquoketa Caves State Park
- The Bridges of Madison County (they’re real!)
- National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
- The ‘Field of Dreams’ Movie site
- National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library
Some final words
As you can see, there is much more to Iowa than meets the eye. When you see it on the map it’s easy to forget the local flavor and charm inherent in this gem of the Midwest. We hope that you’ll go someday to see for yourself. Who knows?
You might just decide to stay!
BOOK HOTEL IN ANY PART OF IOWA AT GREAT PRICES
