Indiana

Indiana state symbols

 Tree - tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

 Flower - peony (Paeonia)

 Bird - red cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

 Insect - Say's firefly (Pyractomas angulata)

 River - Wabash

 Rock - Indian (or Bedford) limestone

 Food product (pie) - sugar cream pie

 Kind of sport - basketball

 Poem - Indiana ("Indiana", author Arthur Mapes)

 Song - On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away

 Firearms - "Growsland" rifle

 Color - blue and gold

On the lands of Indiana, as well as in other states of the United States, long before the appearance of Europeans in America, numerous Indian peoples lived. Until about 1500, in southern Indiana, in the Ohio River Valley, lived the Indians of the "Mississippian culture", also known as "mound builders". A characteristic feature of these tribes was the creation of high earthen mounds with flat tops, on which various buildings were built. To this day, several such mounds have survived near the city of Evansville in southwestern Indiana, called Angel Mounds.

In 1679, the famous pioneer René de La Salle became the first European explorer of Indiana. Following him, French traders came to Indiana, buying furs from the Indians and selling firearms to them. The French supported the Algonian tribes in the war with the Iroquois, and armed clashes between the Indians in Indiana continued until the beginning of the 18th century.

On December 11, 1816, the US Congress decided to recognize Indiana as the nineteenth state of the United States. In 1825, Indianapolis, located in the center of the state, became the capital of Indiana.

Notable natives and residents of Indian

 George Rogers Clark (1752–1818) was an American Revolutionary hero who led the militia during the Illinois Campaign. Known as "Old Northwest Conqueror" Born in Virginia, but later lived in Indiana.

 William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) 9th President of the United States. Born in Virginia, but later lived in Indiana.

 Levi Coffin (1798-1877) - abolitionist, one of the main organizers of the "underground railroad" that rescued fugitive slaves. Born in North Carolina, but later lived in Indiana.

 Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) - 16th President of the United States. Born in Kentucky, but lived in Indiana as a child.

 Lewis "Lew" Wallace (1827–1905) was a politician, Northern general during the Civil War, and writer. Born in Brookville.

 Clement Studebaker (1831-1901) - manufacturer of wagons and carts, co-founder of the Studebaker company, which later produced cars. Born in Pennsylvania, but later lived in Indiana.

 Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) 23rd President of the United States. Born in Ohio, but later lived in Indiana.

 John Milton Hay (1838–1905), statesman and diplomat. Born in Salem.

 James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) was a popular writer and poet known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet". Born in Greenfield

 Eugene Victor "Gene" Debs (Eugene Victor "Gene" Debs, 1855-1926) - public and political figure, one of the organizers of the Socialist Party of America. He ran five times as a candidate for President of the United States. Born in Terre Haute.

 Alvah Curtis Roebuck (1864-1948) - entrepreneur, one of the founders of the largest retail company Sears, Roebuck and Company. Born in Lafayette.

 Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) - one of the brothers who created the first aircraft. Born in Millville.

 Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) is a famous writer. Born in Terre Haute.

 Rex Stout (1886-1975) is a famous writer, author of books about Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. Born in Noblesville.

 Cole Porter (1891-1964) - famous composer, author of many popular musicals. Born in the city of Peru.

 Harold Clayton Urey (1893–1981) was an eminent physicist. Born in Walkerton.

 James Riddle "Jimmy" Hoffa (James Riddle "Jimmy" Hoffa, 1913 - went missing in 1975, presumed dead in 1982) - a well-known trade union leader. Born in the city of Brazil.

 Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) is a famous writer. Born in Indianapolis.

 Anne Baxter (1923-1985) is a famous actress, Hollywood and Broadway star. Born in Michigan City.

 Virgil "Gus" Grissom (1926–1967) was one of the first astronauts. Born in Mitchell.

 Terrence Stephen "Steve" McQueen (1930–1980) is a famous film actor and racing driver. Born in Beach Grove.

 James Dean (1931-1955) is a famous film actor. Born in the city of Marion.

 James Danforth "Dan" Quayle (1947–) is the 44th Vice President of the United States. Born in Indianapolis.

 John "Cougar" Mellencamp (John "Cougar" Mellencamp, 1951–) is a famous songwriter and performer. Born in Seymour.

 Michael Jackson (1958–2009) is a famous pop singer and songwriter. Born in Gary.

The largest cities in Indiana are the capital of the state of Indianapolis (about 1,220,000 inhabitants, the twelfth place in the list of the largest cities in the United States), Fort Wayne (about 260,000 inhabitants), Evansville (about 120,000 inhabitants) and South Bend (about 110,000 inhabitants).

Indiana's largest metropolitan area has grown around Indianapolis with over 1,750,000 people (thirty-fourth in the list of US metropolitan areas). Large urban agglomerations also formed in the northwest of the state (around Chicago in neighboring Illinois), in the southeast (around Cincinnati, Ohio) and in the south (around Evansville, in the so-called "three-state area" - Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky).

The largest ethnic (national) groups among the population of the state of Indiana:

 Germans - 22.7%

 "Americans" - 12%

 Irish - 10.8%

 English - 9%

 Poles - 3%

 French - 2.7%

 Italians - 2.5%

 Dutch - 2.4%

 Scots - 1.8%

 Swedes - 1.1%

Indiana is primarily an industrial state, although agriculture and mining are also well developed here.

The state is famous for its high-quality limestone, which is widely used in construction. Limestone slabs mined in Indiana line the Pentagon and the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, Yankee Stadium and the Empire State Building in New York, and many other famous US buildings. In addition to limestone, significant amounts of coal are mined in Indiana, as well as sand, gravel, and other building materials.

The leading branch of Indiana's economy is industrial production. The state produces iron and steel, metal structures, electrical equipment, vehicles, chemicals, medical devices and many other types of industrial products.

Located near the metropolis of Chicago, the northwestern counties of Indiana are one of the largest centers of heavy industry in the United States. Several steel mills operate here, including US Steel's Gary steel mill, the largest in North America.