Explore this Iowa Map to learn about the twenty-ninth state of the US. Learn about Iowa’s location in the United States, official symbol, seal, flag, geography, climate, area/zip codes, time zones, etc. Check out Iowa’s history, major cities, hiking, cycling, backpacking trails, the capital city’s location, national parks, facts and trivia, Top 10 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), and many more.

About Iowa

The US State of Iowa is the 29th state in the United States. On December 28, 1846, it was admitted to the Union, and Iowa achieved statehood. The State of Iowa’s nickname is Hawkeye State. Des Moines is Iowa’s capital city and the state’s largest city or metro/urban area. English is the official language of Iowa. In the US, Iowa is the 31st most populous state. Check Key Facts of Iowa to learn more about this US state.

Iowa Flag

The state legislators officially adopted the Iowa Flag on March 29, 1921. Mrs. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt designed the vertical tricolor flag in 1917. 

The design of the Iowa flag includes:

• Three vertical color stripes are there. From left to right, the colors included are:
  • Blue
  • White
  • Red

The central white stripe’s width is double that of the red and blue stripes at the extreme ends on both sides. 

• The image of a flying eagle can be seen in the central white stripe section. It is holding a ribbon in its beak. The words written on the ribbon are “OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE AND RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN.”
• The state name “IOWA” is written below the image of the eagle with a ribbon.  

Iowa State Symbols

Iowa’s official government symbol is the Great Seal of the State of Iowa. This seal has a circular shape with a diameter of two inches. Iowa’s official seal design has one inner circle and a ring. 

• In the outer ring, “THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA” is written.
• In the inner circle, the main design is there. It features:
  • A citizen soldier is standing in a wheat field. A sheaf and field of standing wheat can be seen. 
    • With his right hand, he supports the American flag as well as the liberty cap.
    • With his left hand, he supports a gun. 
  • Various farming tools (including sickle and other utensils) and industrial tools can be seen surrounding the soldier. 
    • A plow can be seen at the rear side of the soldier.
  • On the right-hand side, you’ll find:
    • A lead furnace
    • Pile of pig lead
  • The Mississippi River is seen flowing in the rear section of the emblem. 
  • A streamer is seen on the river. It is moving from the right side to the left. 
  • Mountains and sky can be seen beyond the Mississippi River. 
  • An eagle’s image with spread wings can be seen over the sky. It is holding a ribbon in its beak. The state motto “OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE AND OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN” is written on the ribbon. 

Iowa Location

Iowa Location Map shows the exact location of the US state of Iowa on the USA map. This map shows the boundaries of this US state, neighboring countries, and oceans. 

The State of Iowa is situated in the midwestern part of the country. It is surrounded by the Mississippi River, Big Sioux River, and Missouri River from the east and west. Iowa shares its land border with:

• Minnesota (in the north)
• Wisconsin (in the northeast)
• Illinois (in the east and southeast)
• Missouri (in the south)
• Nebraska (in the west)
• South Dakota (in the northwest) 

Iowa’s precise location (latitude and longitude) is 40° 23′ N to 43° 30′ N Latitude and 90° 8′ W to 96° 38′ W Longitude. Check this Iowa Latitude and Longitude Map for more information.

Iowa Time Zones

In Iowa, UTC−06:00 (Central) is the time zone. UTC−05:00 (CDT) is Iowa’s summer (DST) time zone. 

Iowa Geography

The total area of Iowa is 56,273 sq mi (145,746 sq km). Out of which 55,857 sq mi (144,669 sq km) is land area and 416 sq mi (1,077 sq km) is water area. It is the USA’s twenty-sixth largest state in terms of size. 

At 1,670 feet (509 m), Hawkeye Point is the highest elevation point. The state’s lowest point is the Mississippi River, whose elevation is just 480 feet (146.3 m) above sea level. The major rivers in the state are Cedar River, Iowa River, Des Moines River, Missouri River, and Mississippi River. Lake Red Rock is a central lake. 

Iowa has three distinct landforms:

• Young Drift Plains: This landform is mainly found in Iowa’s central and northern regions. These lands are predominantly flat and highly fertile. Lakes and swamps can also be found in Young Drift Plains.
• Driftless Area: You’ll find this landform is situated in Iowa’s northeastern part. It runs parallel to the Mississippi River. The terrain in the Driftless Area features rugged hills and cliffs (including pine-forested hills). The soil in this landform is thin and not quite suitable for farming. This terrain in Iowa has become a popular destination for outdoor recreation lovers. Iowans usually call this place The Switzerland of America. 
• Dissected Till Plains: You’ll find this place mainly in the southern region of Iowa but also extends into northwestern Iowa along the Missouri River and Big Sioux River. Glacial “drift” can be found in this terrain. The deposit called till (consisting of clay, boulders, gravel, and sand) can be found here. Bluffs (having 100-to-300 feet or 30.5-to-91.4 m in height) rise above the Missouri River. Check this Iowa Topographic Map to learn more.

Learn more about the location of mountain peaks, rivers, lakes, state boundaries, the state capital, neighboring states, ocean, and from this Physical Map of Iowa. 

Iowa Climate 

The climatic condition in Iowa is mainly humid continental. It is characterized by a hot summer season and a cold winter season. 

The months of summer (with its peak in July) experience an average daytime temperature in the range from 90 °F (32.2 °C) to 100 °F (37.8 °C). At nighttime, the average temperature ranges between 60 °F (15.6 °C) and 65 °F (18.3 °C). During the peak winter season in January, the temperature can even drop to -20 °F (-28.9 °C). 

You’ll experience temperate weather during springtime. However, this time of year, tornadoes and thunderstorms take place frequently. Across the landscape, you’ll experience beautiful colors during the autumn or fall season. You’ll experience an enjoyable weather condition during early fall. However, you’ll experience frequent chilly weather spells in late fall. 

Most of the rainfall takes place in the summers. The average yearly rainfall amount hovers around 35 inches (889 mm). While June is the wettest season, the month of January is the driest season. 

September to October is the best time to visit Iowa. 

Iowa History

The earliest historical evidence of settlement in the current Iowa region can be traced to 8,500 years ago. The earliest ancestors of Native Americans, the Paleo-Indians, were the first inhabitants of Iowa. 

The first Europeans to visit Iowa were two French explorers in 1673. While one was a fur trader, Louis Joliet, the other was a Jesuit missionary, Jacques Marquette. French explorer Robert de La Salle visited this place again in 1682. As part of the Louisiana Territory, he claimed it as France’s region. Julien Dubuque established the first permanent European settlement in 1788. As part of the Louisiana Purchase, the US acquired control of Louisiana in 1803. 

Iowa was included in the Missouri Territory in 1812. Black Hawk, chief of the Sauk and Fox tribe, launched the Black Hawk War in 1832 against the United States government after they were told to move to Indian Territory. However, after losing the Battle of Bad Axe, the native Americans surrendered and were eventually pushed out of Iowa. 

After the native Indians were pushed out, many more people settled in Iowa, which increased the population. In 1838, the US Congress established the Territory of Iowa. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became a state and was admitted to the Union as the twenty-ninth state. In 1857, the capital city was moved from Iowa City to Des Moines. 

Iowa Counties

Iowa has 99 counties. Kossuth County is the largest, and Dickinson County is the smallest county. Check the Iowa County Map to learn more about the location and boundaries of different counties in the state. 

Iowa Area Codes

Iowa has five area codes, and they are:

• 319
• 515
• 563
• 641
• 712

The Iowa Area Codes Map will help you locate any area code you are searching for. You can also use it to learn about the area code boundary, county and state boundaries, and state capital. 

Iowa Zip Codes

There are 932 active zip codes in Iowa as of 2022. The zip codes best for you to live in the state are 51640, 51447, 50449, 52301, etc. You can locate the location of a particular zip code, boundary, state boundary, and state capital with the help of the Iowa Zip Codes Map. 

Iowa Major Cities

Learn about Iowa’s significant places from this map of cities. You can know the exact location of the state capital, other cities, state boundaries, neighboring states and oceans, and many more. Iowa’s most prominent cities are Des Moines, Sioux City, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and many more. Check out the Iowa Cities Map for more details.

Iowa Airports

The busiest airports in Iowa are Des Moines International Airport, Eastern Iowa Airport, Sioux Gateway Airport, and others. Explore the location of different airports in the state on the Iowa Airports Map. This map also shows Iowa’s state and country boundaries, cities, the state capital, neighboring states, and oceans.

Iowa National Park and Trails

Iowa has four national parks: Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. 

In Iowa, you can enjoy 729 recreational trails (hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and other adventurous trails). Maquoketa Caves Loop, Wildcat Den Trail, Brown’s Woods Trail, Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, etc., are some of Iowa’s most popular hiking routes. 

Check out the US National Parks Map to get a clear idea about the locations of different national parks, monuments, preserves, etc.

Top 10 FAQs on Iowa

FAQ #1: What Time Zone Is Iowa? 

Ans: In Iowa, UTC−06:00 (Central) is the time zone. Iowa’s summer (DST) time zone is UTC−05:00 (CDT). 

FAQ #2: What Is The Capital Of Iowa?

Ans: Des Moines is the capital of Iowa. 

FAQ #3: What Is Iowa Known For? 

Ans: Iowa is known for The Grotto of the Redemption, Iowa State Fair, sliced bread’s birthplace, The Hawkeye State, the world’s leading producer of corn, and many more. 

FAQ #4: Does It Snow In Iowa?

Ans: Heavy snowfall occurs in Iowa in early spring and late autumn. 

FAQ #5: Who Is The Governor Of Iowa?

Ans: Republican Party’s Kim Reynolds is the incumbent Governor of Iowa in 2022. He assumed office as the 43rd Governor of Iowa on May 24, 2017.

FAQ #6: m?

Ans: Iowa’s population in 2022 is estimated to be 3.19 million, making it the thirty-first populous state in the United States. 

FAQ #7: What Is The State Bird Of Iowa?

Ans: American Goldfinch is Iowa’s state bird. 

FAQ #8: When Did Iowa Become a State?

Ans: On December 28, 1846, Iowa became a state. 

FAQ #9: How Many Counties Are In Iowa?

Ans: There are 99 counties in Iowa.  

FAQ #10: What is the Largest College in Iowa?

Ans: Iowa State University is the largest college in Iowa.