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United States
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Mid-Western States
Illinois - Illinois is the Algonquin word for "warriors." The 21st state is also known as the Land of Lincoln, in homage to the 16th president, who lived and is buried in the Springfield area. The tallest building in the United States is the Sears Tower in Chicago, Illinois. The official bird of this Midwest state is the red cardinal.
Indiana - The 19th state, Indiana means "land of the Indians." Indianapolis, its capital and largest city, is where the Indianapolis 500 auto race is held every year. This Midwest state's official tree is the tulip tree.
Iowa - A major producer of corn and soybeans, Midwest state Iowa is a Native American name for "beautiful land." It is the 29th state. Its state bird is the colorful and jaunty eastern goldfinch.
Michigan - Henry Ford's Detroit auto factory began an industry that has made Michigan the center of U.S. car manufacturing. Michigan gets its name from mici gama , the Chippewa words meaning "great water." Michigan is in two parts, the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. It has shoreline on four of the Great Lakes: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Superior. The 26th state's official bird is the robin.
Minnesota - The Mississippi River starts here! Minnesota is from the Sioux word meaning "cloudy water," but it referred to the Minnesota River. This northern border state has over 15,000 lakes, left there by glaciers. The 32nd state's official bird is the common loon, and its flower is the pink-and-white lady's slipper.
Missouri - Two major rivers, the Missouri and the Mississippi, meet in the 24th state. Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, lived in Hannibal, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. The Ozark Mountains in this state contain more than 400 caves. A dam on the Osage River holds back the Lake of the Ozarks, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The official state tree is the hawthorn.
Nebraska - Nebraska's name is from the Omaha word meaning "broad water," referring to the Platte River. The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument contains bones from animals over 22 million years old. This Great Plains state is known for farming and grazing land. The official tree of the 37th state is the cottonwood.
North Dakota - This state is famous for its uneven territory known as the Badlands. The Badlands were justly named by early travelers, because they are almost impossible to cross. Dakota is a Sioux word, meaning "friend." A 2,063-foot TV tower in Blanchard, North Dakota, is the tallest man-made structure in the country. North Dakota's official flower is the wild prairie rose. It is the 39th state.
South Dakota - Famous Mount Rushmore is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Four 60-foot heads of U.S. presidents have been sculpted on the side of a mountain. The Black Hills look "black" from a distance because they are covered with dense pine forests. The 40th state's official bird is the ring-necked pheasant.
Wisconsin - Wisconsin is a state with over 8,000 lakes, carved out by glaciers long ago. This state has more dairy cows than any other state, so it's no wonder that milk and cheese are its major products. Bordered by two Great Lakes, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, Wisconsin is the 30th state. Its official flower is the wood violet.
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