Indiana Facts Learning About US States in Special Ed

Welcome to Indiana

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

Indiana is located in the midcentral United States. It borders Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, and Lake Michigan. Indianapolis is the capital.

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

Be sure to scroll to the end to get a free word search about Indiana.

A brief history of Indiana

Indiana became a state in 1816 and was the 19th state to join the United States.

Indiana was named after the many Native American tribes that inhabited this area, even after Indiana became a state in 1816.

In the late 1600s, the French had colonized the area.

Between 1754 and 1763, Indiana was involved in the French and Indian War. The English won and took control of the area.

Colonists soon became unhappy with new taxes and other restrictions from England. This led to the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775.

Thirty years after the war ended, Indiana would become the 19th state to join the United States in 1816.

The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865. Indiana supported the North and sent troops to fight with Union soldiers.

The geography of Indiana

Indiana is part of the Midwest and the Great Lakes Region. It has 3 main geographical regions: the Great Lakes Plains, the Till Plains, and the Southern Hills and Lowlands Region.

The Great Lakes Plains are located in the northern part of the state. They are bordered by Lake Michigan and contain Dunes State National Park.

As you go further south, the Great Lakes region turns from sandy soil to dark, fertile soil perfect for growing crops and raising livestock.

The Till Plains make up the central part of the state. Here you will find low hills and valleys. This area makes up part of the nation’s corn and grain belt.

The highest point in the state is also in this middle region. Hoosier Hill, 1257 feet high, sits in the Till Plains.

Finally, the state’s capital, Indianapolis, is in the Till Plains Region.

The final region is the Southern Hills and Lowlands Region. It is located in the southern part of the state and has steeper hills. This region also has many caves and limestone caverns. Indiana is one of the richest limestone sites in the US.

The Ohio River forms the southernmost border of this region and the state, separating it from Kentucky.

Indiana's resources and industries

Many resources in Indiana originate from agriculture.

Corn and soybeans are the two biggest crops in this state. Indiana is also the country’s largest producer of popcorn.

Besides corn and soybeans, this state grows a lot of tomatoes and melons.

Indiana is one of the largest producers of coal, limestone, sand, and gravel in the US. Mining is an important contributor to the state’s economy.

As for industries, Indiana plays an essential role in the country’s automotive industry. They not only have automotive manufacturing plants, but also play a critical role as a supplier of various parts needed by other manufacturers of cars.

Finally, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and medical devices are important industries for this state.

Fun places to visit in Indiana

If you plan to visit Indiana, there are some things you will want to know and make sure you get to see. This state has a diverse landscape and fun sites to see.

Indiana is home to several natural and manmade landmarks you should visit. The Dunes National Park is located in the northern part of the state.

Dunes National Park is 15,000 acres located along the shores of Lake Michigan. You can swim, fish, and hike here, and the plants and animals living in this region are very diverse.

In this park, scientists have also found some of the oldest evidence of humans in the country, dating back over 10,000 years.

If you visit Indianapolis, you can visit several sites. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is located in Monument Circle, in the center of the city.

It was built to honor all veterans from Indiana who fought in any war before World War 1. It was completed in 1902 and was designed by Bruno Schmitz. It is recognized as a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice.

You should also visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Founded in 1883, it is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the US.

This art museum has collections from all over the world. It sits on 152 acres and includes The Gardens, a collection of plants, flowers, sculptures, and fountains.

If you enjoy something with a little bit more excitement, you should stop by the Indianapolis Speedway, built in 1909.

Every year during the Memorial Day weekend, the Indy 500 is where the fastest cars and drivers come to race on the 2 1/2 mile oval track.

Originally paved with bricks, it is still called “The Brickyard.” There is a museum with lots to see, including the record for the fastest recorded lap, 237 miles per hour, by Arie Luyendyk.

Located in southcentral Indiana is the Hoosier National Forest. This national park covers 200,000 acres and was home to a large Native American population dating back thousands of years.

Finally, as you travel across the state, you will likely run across (or through) more than one covered bridge. Indiana has more covered bridges than any other state in the US.

Fun facts about Indiana

Here are a few fun facts about Indiana: The peony is the state flower, and the cardinal is the state bird. The firefly is the state insect.

Indiana is known as the Hoosier State, although no one knows where the name originated. It is also known as the Crossroads State. There are more miles of interstate per square mile here than in any other state in the US.

This is Indiana’s state flag. It was adopted in 1917. It is blue and gold with 19 stars, representing the fact that Indiana was the 19th state to join the United States.

There is a town in Indiana called Santa Claus. They receive 1/2 million letters addressed to Santa every year. It is also the site of the world’s first amusement park.

Indiana produces more popcorn than any other state in the US.

Indianapolis is home to the largest Christmas Tree in the world. It is known as the Circle of Lights and is formed from the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. It has almost 5000 lights.