The state of Iowa sits in the middle of the United States, right between two major rivers: The Missouri, on its western border, and The Mississippi, on its right. Iowa is approximately twice the size of the Czech Republic, but it only has about 2.8 million people. The state bird symbol is the eastern goldfinch, the state flower symbol is the wild rose and the state tree symbol is the oak.
    When Americans think of Iowa they think of farms, seas of corn, and oceans of soybeans. This is where much of the food for the nation - and the world - is grown. The peaceful, rolling countryside is dedicated to agriculture, so the land is dotted with many small towns rather than with several booming cities.
    Many of these small towns are located on trails used originally by the Indians and the first settlers.
     The character of this state is still influenced by its history and the land itself - mostly rolling prairie, where peaceful Indian tribes once resided.
    For example, just outside of Prairie City you can visit the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and Prairie Learning Center. A prairie is made of very rich, deep soil covered with a kind of "jungle" of thick, tall grass, and very few trees. Here, 5,000 acres have carefully been returned to their natural state, the way they looked when Indians hunted deer and buffalo.
    Among people of many nationalities that settled in the rich farmland in Iowa were also Czech immigrants. You can visit a restored town center and museum in Spillville in east-central Iowa that tells about early Czech immigrants and their contributions to the state.
     If you like more action and adventure, you'll want to visit Iowa's capital city, Des Moines. There are many live theatres, presenting musicals, comedies, dramas, children's programs, and even classes where you can try acting.
    If you like professional sports, you'll find a hockey team, baseball team, and horse racing in Des Moines.
    Although Iowa is considered a quiet, peaceful state where "nothing ever happens", several famous people have come from this state, including one president, Herbert Hoover, and also every four years the American presidential campaigns are kicked off here. These "Iowa Caucuses" are not official votes, but give an early indication about which candidates might win the election.
    The movie The Bridges of Madison County, starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, was filmed in the small town of Winterset in Iowa. This film centers around special wooden bridges built with roofs, constructed in the 19^th century.

 

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