Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Iowa

Our time in Iowa is officially over now, but we had a great time hanging out with family and friends there. I imagined our stay to be more relaxing, but with wedding planning, Asia trip planning, working, and general overall craziness it was probably the most hectic of weeks we’ve had in awhile.

Wedding pictures are on the way, so stay tuned, but in the meantime I thought I would share with you some Iowa trivia.

1. Iowa is the only state name that starts with two vowels.

2. Herbert Hoover (a West Branch, Iowa native) was the 31st President of the United States and the first one born west of the Mississippi River.

3. The first caucus for the presidential election has been held in Iowa since 1972.

4. RAGBRAI is the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. It began in 1973 and is the longest, largest, and oldest touring bike ride in the world. Lance Armstrong often does the ride.

5. Ninety-four percent of Iowa land sustains crops. Over one-fourth of the nation’s best crop soil is within the Iowa borders. Iowa produces 20% of the nation’s corn.

6. Ronald Reagan began his professional career in radio as a commentator for University of Iowa football in 1932.

7. In 1935 a University of Iowa swimming coach originated the “Butterfly” stroke.

8. Iowa has an average of 34 tornadoes every year.

9. Iowans are smart. 93% of Iowa schools are above the national average for scholastic achievement. Iowa is first in the nation in per-capita undergraduate college degrees. Iowa has a 99% literacy rate – the highest in the nation.

10. The Iowa capitol building in Des Moines is topped with a dome covered in paper-thin sheets of 23-carat-gold.

Bonus – The picture you see below is titled “American Gothic” by Grant Wood. The painting is inspired by a farmhouse in Eldon, Iowa.