The first humans came to what is now Iowa at least 12,000 years ago. Thousands of years later, Indian tribes lived on this land, including the Dakota Sioux, Illini, Iowa, Missouria, and Otoe. French explorers reached the area in 1673, and in 1682 the land was taken over by France. Over the next century, Spain and France fought many wars over the region, and control of the land shifted back and forth between the two countries. In 1803, the United States acquired the territory with the Louisiana Purchase. Iowa became the 29th state in 1846. Since 1972, Iowa has started every U.S. presidential race by holding the first caucus (that’s when the people gather to choose the delegates who will vote for their chosen candidate at the next convention – a step towards choosing a presidential candidate).
Experts disagree on how Iowa got its name. Some say the name comes from the Iowa tribe. There is also controversy over the origin of Iowa’s nickname, Hawkeye State. Some say the name honors the Native American chief, Black Hawk. Others claim that he was inspired by a character named Hawkeye in James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans.
Geography of Iowa
According to itypetravel.com, this midwestern state is bordered by South Dakota and Minnesota to the north, Wisconsin and Illinois to the east, Illinois and Missouri to the south, and Nebraska and South Dakota to the west. Some sources divide Iowa into three different regions. The fertile, fertile region of the Young Drift Plains spans northern and central Iowa. (Drift is a mixture of clay, sand, rocks, and gravel that glaciers left behind during the last ice age about 12,000 years ago.) The area also has lakes and swamps. The no action zone covers northeastern Iowa. This region consists of pine wooded hills and rocks. Scattered to the plains roll through southern Iowa and northwest. Rivers and streams cut (or cut) the land, creating hills, ridges, and precipices.
Wildlife of Iowa
Red foxes, thirteen-year-old gophers, least weasels, and white-tailed deer are some of the most common mammals in Iowa. Cerulean warblers, grasshopper sparrows, and scarlet tanners are some of the state’s birds. Iowa’s reptiles include Great Plains skinks, western horned snakes, and yellow mud turtles. Amphibians such as blue-spotted salamanders, central newts, Great Plains toads, and mud puppies (a type of salamander) glide and hop across Iowa. Sugar maple, sycamore, red cedar, and oak (the state tree) are some of the most common trees that grow in Iowa. Indian sunflower, corn squirrel, morning glory, and Dalmatian toad among the state’s wildflowers.
DAVENPORT
Population: 99.514 thousand people (2006)
Area: 168.2 sq. km
Founded: 1836
Time zone: UTC-6, summer UTC-5
Altitude: 180 m
Zip code: 52801-52809
The city of Davenport lies in Scott County. At the end of the 19th century, it was famous throughout America for its numerous entertainment venues. Bars, dance halls, music salons were mainly located in the Bucktown area. Opera houses were created here even before the town began to improve. They often featured artists from Chicago. The most famous opera music salon in those days is still in its original place. In 1916, a symphony orchestra was created here, which quickly gained popularity. Nine years later, the first art gallery in the country was opened. See Iowa cities.
Modern Davenport, along with three nearby communities, is part of the Four Cities region. A river port operates within its boundaries and companies specializing in such areas as the food industry, ferrous metallurgy, and mechanical engineering operate. The city was founded by Anthony LeClair but named after his friend George Davenport. Within the city there are 27 parks, including the Botanical Garden. Each of them is equipped with bike paths. Davenport is known for its music and sports festivals.
