Iowa

One of the n. central States. Its area is 56,025 sq. m. Its surface is throughout an undulating prairie. Bluffs of considerable height exist on the Mi i ippi and Mi ouri rivers, which form the e. and w. boundaries, and on many of the smaller streams. In the n.e. part along the Mi i ippi, Silurian formations are developed to a considerable extent. Proceeding s.w. one cro es an area of Devonian, and then enters an era of Carboniferous, which covers the s. half of the State. The n.w. corner is occupied by Loe , and this is found scattered over small areas in various other portions. pre-eminently an agricultural State, its other industries being subordinate. The coal mining industry is of considerable importance. In 1893 its railroads had an extent of 8,513 miles. The capital is Des Moines. I. was originally included in the Louisiana purchase; in 1834, with all the region w. of the Mi i ippi and n. of the Mi ouri, it was included in the territory of Michigan. In 1836 it was set off with Wisconsin, and in 1838 was made a territory by itself. It was admitted to the Union as a State in 1846. It was originally occupied by several Indian tribes, the first white settlers entering the territory in 1833. The recent growth of the State has been rapid and its condition prosperous. Value of farms in 1890 was $894,246,337 and of crops in 1889 was $159,347,844. In 1889, 4,061,704 tons of coals were mined. Pop., 1890, 1,911,896. (See Map, p. 388.)