Facts about Indiana

Indiana is located in the United States’ Great Lakes and Midwestern regions. Indiana is bordered by Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois. With 36,418 square miles, it is the 38th largest state in the United States. Indiana is the 16th most populous state, with a population of approximately 16,571,000 people. It is also the 16th most populous state. Paleo-Indians were the first to arrive in Indiana after the Ice Age, around 8000 BC. Until the arrival of Europeans in the 1600s, various cultures settled throughout Indiana’s region. The struggle for control of the area between British, French, and Native American tribes lasted until 1816, when Indiana became the Union’s 19th state.

Indiana gets its name from its Indian territorial history, and it means “Indian land” or “Land of the Indians.”

Rene-Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle was the first French explorer to reach Indiana, arriving in South Bend in 1679.

The state motto of Indiana is ‘The Crossroads of America.’

The ‘Hoosier State’ is Indiana’s nickname.

Indianapolis is the state’s capital and largest city.

The peony is Indiana’s state flower.

The tulip tree is the state tree.

The cardinal is Indiana’s state bird.

The state song of Indiana is ‘On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away.’ Paul Dresser penned the piece.

There are 92 counties in Indiana, as well as 23 state parks and 17 state historic sites.

Hoosiers and Indianians are terms used to describe people who live in Indiana.

Tippecanoe River, White River, Wabash River, and Ohio River are among Indiana’s major rivers.

Lake Michigan and Mississinewa Lake are two of Indiana’s major lakes.

The state of Indiana has 41 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Paul Hadley designed Indiana’s state flag in 1916. Indiana chose this design for the state flag after winning the flag design contest, making it official in 1917.

Agriculture in Indiana includes the production of soybeans, wheat, rye, oats, onions, tomatoes, poultry, and hogs. Indiana’s main crop is corn.

Indiana is regarded as one of the world’s most important industrial centers, producing oil, steel, and iron products.

Indiana produces a significant amount of the limestone used in the United States.

Lewis and Clark set out from Fort Vincennes, Indiana, to explore the Northwest Territory.

Marcella Gruelle invented the Raggedy Ann doll in Indianapolis in 1914.

Every year around Christmas, more than 500,000 letters to Santa are sent to Santa Claus, Indiana.

Historic Parke County is known as the Covered Bridge Capital of the World, as it is home to 32 of these bridges.

More than 100 tree species are indigenous to Indiana. Approximately 80% of Indiana was covered in forest prior to European settlement. Today, this figure has dropped to 17%.

In 1934, John Dillinger, a Chicago gangster, escaped from Lake County Jail in Crown Point. He made a pistol out of wood and used it as a weapon.

Richard Gatling invented the rapid fire machine gun in Indianapolis in 1862.

In 1987, the Pan American Games were held in Indianapolis.

In 1911, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the first long-distance car race. Today, on Memorial Day weekend, this speedway hosts the Indianapolis 500.