Federated state of the USA (93,719 km 2 with 6,376,792 inhabitants in 2008), between the southern edge of the lake Michigan to the NW, Michigan to the north, the Ohio to east, the Kentucky to the south and Illinois to the O. Capital Indianapolis. It is an almost flat region with weak undulations, in which the presence of limestone has locally caused a certain diffusion of karst phenomena. Of the waterways, the most important is Ohio. According to abbreviationfinder, the climate is continental. More than half of the population, which has grown at a very strong pace, lives in urban centers. Among these the largest, besides the capital, are Gary, Forth Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend. In the State, agriculture has traditional economic importance (80% of the land is occupied by farms), since the soil, consisting of alluvial deposits, is among the most suitable for the cultivation of cereals, soybeans, tobacco, potatoes, fruit and vegetables; breeding is widespread. Remarkable mineral resources (coal, limestone, clay, oil and natural gas, iron ores). The most flourishing industries are the steel, electronic and mechanical ones; the chemical, food, cement and oil refining industries follow. Dense the network of communication routes, both rail and water along the shores of Lake Michigan and the Erie Canal, and on the Ohio and Wabash rivers.
INDIANAPOLIS (1,890,000 residents In 2008), located on the White River, at 210 m asl, in the center of a region with intense agriculture and livestock, and close to the coalfields of the Wabash River basin, it constitutes a hub for railway transits. Industrial activity is of great importance, especially in the mechanical, food, electrical, petrochemical, chemical-pharmaceutical, textile, publishing and rubber sectors. The services sector is expanding strongly. A famous car race over the distance of 500 miles (Indianapolis 500) has been held in the circuit since 1911.
INDIANA – THE LAND OF THE INDIANS
Like no other US state, the 19th state pays respect to the indigenous people of the continent in its name: “Indiana” means “Land of the Indians” – even if today less than half a percent of the population is still from the proud tribes of the Shawnee, Potawatomi or Wea.
Today this former Indian territory is characterized by wide fields and modern cities. Indiana in the Middle East of the USA is part of the United States’ breadbasket, so its land is used intensively. The traveler will therefore look in vain for spectacular national parks or lonely expanses. In return, a lot of culture and sports, many historical sites, great lakes, interesting cities and lots of exciting attractions for children await him.
Location and landscapes
Indiana has two natural boundaries. In the north, Lake Michigan partially defines the border with Michigan, another part of the border runs on land. To the south, the Ohio River is the natural common border between Indiana and Kentucky. To the east is Ohio as a neighboring country, to the west, it is Illinois. Indiana is a flat country, whose highest point (“Hoosier Hill”) with 383 meters is not really worth mentioning from a tourist point of view. In contrast, the country’s lakes are much more remarkable. In addition to some cities, however, the huge, seemingly eternal fields that travelers pass by and the extensive farms, which are rarely found in Europe, are really defining. Pigs and cattle are raised here, and the United States gets large parts of its wheat from here. Soybeans and corn are also grown in Indiana, and the climate even allows tobacco plants to grow. Milk and dairy products, poultry, and eggs also find their way to supermarkets across the United States on a large scale from Indiana.
Legendary: Motorsport and Formula 1 in Indianapolis
The name speaks for itself: “Speedway” is the name of the city in which the USA’s first track intended solely for car races was built. The first race after that took place in 1911. Today the speedway track has been greatly expanded and is the venue for the famous and infamous “Indianapolis 500” race, which experts like to shorten to “Indy 500”. The same track also hosted the US Grand Prix of Formula 1 from 1950 to 1960 and then again from 2000 to 2007. Why was it always called the “Indianapolis Grand Prix” when the track was located in Speedway? Once both cities were neighbors, today the large Indianapolis completely encloses the small speedway and race track.
Outdoor activities and natural beauty
At the wonderful lakes of the country, vacationers can completely switch off and relax. You can swim and (partly) fish here, and you can sail and row here. Walks on the beach are just as possible as long hikes (checklist for hiking holidays in the USA) through the dunes or deep forests. Lake Michigan, one of the largest in the country, is particularly recommended.
In its immediate vicinity is the “Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore”, which is an extremely diverse recreational area. Those who like things a little rougher and wilder in their outdoor activities should orientate themselves on the country’s major rivers. The Ohio River, a tributary of the Mississippi, is great for kayaking and rafting.
Amish People: a world of its own
Once they lived in southern Germany and Switzerland, today the Amish religious community is mainly based in Indiana. There they still speak German, take a carriage instead of a car, and are otherwise so skeptical about technical developments that their everyday lives trace the life of a century long past. If you want to get to know this exciting phenomenon, you should make a note of the first weekend in August. Then the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival traditionally takes place in the town of Nappanee in northern India. It provides fascinating insights into the way of life, but also into the great craftsmanship of the Amish people. No other US state has that to offer!
Indiana for little ones
If you want to go to the USA with your family and have small children with you, Indiana is in good hands. There are many attractions here that are sure to be fun for mini vacationers. The “Indianapolis Zoo”, for example, is huge – and there you can even stroke sharks in a certain tank. If someone in the family has a crush on James Dean, Fairmount should definitely be headed for. The film hero was born in this small town: many of his possessions can be admired in a museum.
According to countryaah, Indiana has the following main cities:
Gary
City in the state of Indiana, in Lake County, located about 47 km. to SE. of Chicago. It offers one of the most significant examples of rapid demographic development, caused by industries, mainly metallurgical ones. Due to its excellent geographical position, located as it is at the southern end of Lake Michigan, halfway between the iron regions to the north and the coal regions to the south, it was chosen in 1906 as the headquarters of the United States Steel Corporation. The population has risen from 16,802 residents in 1910 to 55,378 in 1920 and to 100,426 in 1930. The fundamental industries are the steel and mechanical ones. Gary is served by lake shipping lines and is an important railway junction. Its port has an intense import movement, with a traffic of 6.25 million tons for the period 1926-29.
