| Capital City: |
Des Moines |
|
| Nickname: |
Hawkeye State / Corn State |
| Motto: |
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. |
| Statehood: |
December 28, 1846 (29th) |
| Origin of State's Name: |
From the Dakota Indian word "Ayuhwa," meaning "sleepy ones," referring to a tribe living in that area |
| Largest Cities: |
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Waterloo |
| Border States: |
Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin |
| Land Area: |
55,875 sq. mi.; 23rdlargest |
| State Bird: |
Eastern Goldfinch |
| State Flower: |
Wild Prairie Rose (rosa pratincola) |
| State Tree: |
Oak (quercus) |
