Facts About Ohio Learning About US States in Special Ed

Welcome to Ohio

If you are teaching about the US states, here are some facts about Ohio you may want to know.

Ohio is located in the central part of the United States. Ohio borders Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Lake Erie. Columbus is the capital.

Let’s learn a little more about this great state.

And be sure to scroll to the end to get a free crossword puzzle with facts about Ohio.

A brief history of Ohio

In 1803, Ohio became the 17th state to join the United States.

In 1670, a French explorer, Robert de La Salle, was the first to arrive and settle in Ohio.

The British first claimed this region in 1763, but America reclaimed it in 1783 following the Revolutionary War.

Almost 30 years later, in 1825, the Ohio and Lake Erie Canal opened, connecting the Ohio River and Lake Erie. This made transporting goods to the East much easier and quicker, leading to more settlers coming to Ohio.

Finally, during the Civil War, most soldiers from Ohio fought for the North or Union Army. There were some, however, who refused to fight and were called Copperheads. They were seen as poisonous snakes lying in wait to attack, thinking the South would win the war.

The geography of Ohio

Ohio is made up mainly of plains created by glaciers moving across the land millions of years ago.

The state can be divided into three main regions:

Interior Plains
Appalachian Plateau
Bluegrass Region

The Interior Plains region has smooth, flat, rolling hills, perfect for farming. Agriculture is one of the most important natural resources and industries in Ohio.

The Appalachian Plateau covers the state’s eastern half. It has many plateaus where flat land rises sharply, making farming more difficult in this region.

Finally, a small area in the south with steep cliffs and deep valleys is known as the Bluegrass Region. Here, you will find the Serpent Mound Meteor Crater. Scientists believe this was formed millions of years ago when a meteor crashed into the earth.

One last thing to note about Ohio’s geography is that the Ohio River forms its southernmost border, and Lake Erie forms part of its northern border.

Ohio's resources and industries

Ohio’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture. The state is one of the largest producers of soybeans, corn, and grain.

In addition, Ohio raises a lot of livestock, including hogs and cattle.

Other natural resources from Ohio are coal, steel, oil, and natural gas.

Halite, or rock salt, is mined from beneath Lake Erie.

Ohio is one of the largest producers of cars, trucks, and auto parts in the US. This is supported by the large amount of steel, rubber, and plastic found in this state.

Finally, aerospace and aviation are essential to Ohio’s economy and history. Orville Wright was born in this state, as was Neil Armstrong, the first man in space.

Fun places to visit in Ohio

If you plan to visit Ohio, there are some things you will want to know and make sure you get to see. There are some amazing landscapes and a rich culture to see.

Because of its size and diverse landscape, Ohio has a lot to offer, especially if you enjoy football, roller coasters, and rock and roll.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland. Here, you can surround yourself with great music from the past and present. You can also see Elvis Presley’s car, Jimi Hendrix’s couch, and John Lennon’s glasses.

The Ohio and Erie Canalway is over 100 miles long. You can drive along it or stop and hike on one of the many trails.

The Carillon Historical Park is in Dayton. Here, you can find many interesting things from the past, like a one-room schoolhouse, a covered bridge, and a gristmill.

If you like being outdoors, check out Hocking Hills State Park in Logan. You will find spectacular waterfalls, caves to explore, and impressive rock formations here.

Finally, if you are ever in Ohio, visit Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky. It is the roller coaster capital of the world!

Fun facts about Ohio

Here are a few fun facts about Ohio. The Scarlet Carnation is the state flower, and the Cardinal is the state bird.

This is the state flag of Ohio. It is the only state flag not shaped like a rectangle. It is shaped like a pennant. The blue triangle represents the hills and valleys. The white and red circle represents the buckeye. And there are 17 stars to represent Ohio, the 17th state to join the US.