Iowa is a state in the northern part of the central United States in the region known as the Midwest. It has rich prairie lands and an agricultural economy devoted to raising grain and livestock. It is often considered a "typical" Midwestern state.

Iowa is primarily an industrial state, but much of its industry is based on farm production.

The state's name was taken from the Iowa River, which in turn was named for the Iowa people, the Native Americans who lived in the region during early European exploration.

Iowa's sightseeing ranges from historic frontier forts to cities rich in culture and from authentic American farms to old world charm in places like the beautiful Dutch colony of Pella with its windmills and tulips or the German Amana Colonies and even the world famous movie sites like "The Bridges of Madison County" and "Field of Dreams".

Iowa's Great Lakes resort region takes you straight into the great outdoors and right into the pages of American history. Family fun ranges from the Inkpaduta Canoe Trail to the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Missouri River or from a rough-hewn frontier fort at Fort Dodge to a jewel-encrusted grotto at West Bend.

Hunting and fishing are among the most well-liked forms of outdoor recreation in Iowa. There are many state-owned hunting areas open to the public and the well-stocked lakes, ponds, and streams in the state are very popular. Camping, hiking, riding, water sports activities and other kinds of recreation attract many vacationers to the state's abundant parks.