The state of Indiana in the midwest is known for its vast landscapes and for its annual Indianapolis 500 car race.
According to Acronymmonster, Indiana is the 19th state of the USA, the capital and largest city of the low-urbanization region is Indianapolis. The state of Indiana is located south of Lake Michigan and the state of Michigan, in the east it borders with Ohio, in the west with Illinois, in the south the Ohio River forms the border with Kentucky. Indiana is one of the medium-sized US states, over 6.6 million people live on an area of just over 94,000 km² (as of 2019), around 24% of whom have German roots. Only 0.3% of the population claim to have Indian roots, although the name of the state means “land of the Indians”. Indiana residents are called “Hoosier,” the meaning of which is unclear.
Brief History of Indiana
When researchers set foot on what is now the state of Indiana at the end of the 17th century, several Indian tribes were already settling there. Nevertheless, the British occupied and claimed the vast area, which was later called the Northwest Territory, for themselves. In May 1800, the Indiana Territory emerged from it, and other territories followed. In April 1816 the population was granted the right to form a state by law, and at the same time part of the Michigan territory was expanded to the size of the present state. In December 1816, Indiana became the 19th US state to join the union.
Indiana in modern times
Indiana is a typical Midwestern state with little urbanization. Real gross domestic product per capita is slightly below the national average, making Indiana 28th (out of 50) in terms of wealth. (As of 2016). The main industry is the agricultural sector with products such as soybeans, corn, wheat and cattle. The industrial products include steel, electronics and coal. Indiana is also known for motorsports. Since May 1911, Indianapolis 500, one of the oldest and most traditional circuit car races in the world, has been taking place here. The annual spectacle is the world’s largest one-day sporting event and regularly attracts well over 400,000 visitors from all over the world.
Largest Counties in Indiana by Area
According to Countryaah, the biggest counties in Indiana are listed as below:
| Ranking | County | Area |
| 1 | Allen County | 1,702 km2 |
| 2 | LaPorte County | 1,549 km2 |
| 3 | Jasper County | 1,450 km2 |
| 4 | Greene County | 1,406 km2 |
| 5 | Kosciusko County | 1,375 km2 |
| 6 | Knox County | 1,336 km2 |
| 7 | Washington County | 1,331 km2 |
| 8 | Jackson County | 1,318 km2 |
| 9 | Montgomery County | 1,308 km2 |
| 10 | White County | 1,308 km2 |
| 11 | Tippecanoe County | 1,295 km2 |
| 12 | Lake County | 1,292 km2 |
| 13 | Gibson County | 1,261 km2 |
| 14 | Harrison County | 1,256 km2 |
| 15 | Putnam County | 1,246 km2 |
| 16 | Elkhart County | 1,199 km2 |
| 17 | St. Joseph County | 1,186 km2 |
| 18 | Madison County | 1,171 km2 |
| 19 | Randolph County | 1,171 km2 |
| 20 | Lawrence County | 1,163 km2 |
| 21 | Sullivan County | 1,158 km2 |
| 22 | Ripley County | 1,155 km2 |
| 23 | Parke County | 1,153 km2 |
| 24 | Marshall County | 1,150 km2 |
| 25 | Pulaski County | 1,124 km2 |
| 26 | Daviess County | 1,111 km2 |
| 27 | Dubois County | 1,106 km2 |
| 28 | Boone County | 1,096 km2 |
| 29 | Porter County | 1,083 km2 |
| 30 | Grant County | 1,072 km2 |
| 31 | Cass County | 1,067 km2 |
| 32 | Wabash County | 1,067 km2 |
| 33 | Noble County | 1,064 km2 |
| 34 | Shelby County | 1,064 km2 |
| 35 | Posey County | 1,062 km2 |
| 36 | Rush County | 1,057 km2 |
| 37 | Bartholomew County | 1,054 km2 |
| 38 | Hendricks County | 1,054 km2 |
| 39 | Benton County | 1,052 km2 |
| 40 | Clinton County | 1,049 km2 |
| 41 | Morgan County | 1,046 km2 |
| 42 | Vigo County | 1,044 km2 |
| 43 | Newton County | 1,041 km2 |
| 44 | Wayne County | 1,041 km2 |
| 45 | Orange County | 1,031 km2 |
| 46 | Spencer County | 1,028 km2 |
| 47 | Fountain County | 1,026 km2 |
| 48 | Marion County | 1,026 km2 |
| 49 | Monroe County | 1,023 km2 |
| 50 | Hamilton County | 1,020 km2 |
| 51 | Delaware County | 1,015 km2 |
| 52 | Henry County | 1,015 km2 |
| 53 | Owen County | 997 km2 |
| 54 | Warrick County | 997 km2 |
| 55 | Franklin County | 995 km2 |
| 56 | Jay County | 995 km2 |
| 57 | Huntington County | 992 km2 |
| 58 | Perry County | 989 km2 |
| 59 | LaGrange County | 984 km2 |
| 60 | Jennings County | 976 km2 |
| 61 | Miami County | 969 km2 |
| 62 | Clark County | 966 km2 |
| 63 | Decatur County | 966 km2 |
| 64 | Carroll County | 963 km2 |
| 65 | Fulton County | 953 km2 |
| 66 | Wells County | 953 km2 |
| 67 | Warren County | 945 km2 |
| 68 | DeKalb County | 940 km2 |
| 69 | Jefferson County | 935 km2 |
| 70 | Clay County | 927 km2 |
| 71 | Adams County | 878 km2 |
| 72 | Martin County | 870 km2 |
| 73 | Whitley County | 870 km2 |
| 74 | Pike County | 865 km2 |
| 75 | Johnson County | 829 km2 |
| 76 | Brown County | 808 km2 |
| 77 | Starke County | 800 km2 |
| 78 | Steuben County | 800 km2 |
| 79 | Crawford County | 793 km2 |
| 80 | Hancock County | 793 km2 |
| 81 | Dearborn County | 790 km2 |
| 82 | Howard County | 759 km2 |
| 83 | Tipton County | 676 km2 |
| 84 | Vermillion County | 666 km2 |
| 85 | Vanderburgh County | 603 km2 |
| 86 | Switzerland County | 572 km2 |
| 87 | Fayette County | 557 km2 |
| 88 | Scott County | 492 km2 |
| 89 | Blackford County | 427 km2 |
| 90 | Union County | 417 km2 |
| 91 | Floyd County | 383 km2 |
| 92 | Ohio County | 223 km2 |
INDIANAPOLIS
Architectural highlights and a lively cultural life
Culture may not be the first thing that springs to mind when visiting Indianapolis. But that’s a shame, because the city has a lot to offer. Not least because of this, it is also a popular venue for many trade fairs, exhibitions and other national events. There are also a number of festivals that the city organizes itself. So boredom is guaranteed not to arise in Indianapolis. One of the most imposing buildings, which is also an architectural gem, is the Indiana State Capitol. It was completely renovated not so long ago and now with its echoes of the Renaissance exudes a very special dignity. Entry to the Capitol is free, as is most of the city’s other attractions.
The Indianapolis Arts Center deserves its name. In fact, almost 20 studios and exhibition halls, concert halls and a library come together under its roof. Those who love surprises visit the center at random – there is definitely something going on there. Everyone else can of course find out more about the program at the tourist information office.
Families “have to” go to the Children’s Museum!
Also highly recommended is the Scottish Rite Cathedral, where concerts and exhibitions as well as a significant part of official life in Indianapolis take place. Receptions and banquets are the order of the day here. How good it was to live in the city in the past can be understood by the guest in Benjamin Harrison’s private villa. The former house is now a museum and inspires with its elegant furnishings and the magnificent ballroom.
Back to the families once more: A visit to the children’s museum should be a “must” for them. It is one of the largest of its kind in the world and presents facets of art, history and the natural sciences in an easy-to-understand way. In the interests of visitors, there are also climbing opportunities, a planetarium and a typical American amusement park. If the parents want to do something for themselves in the evening after so much fun with the kids, that’s no problem either. Indianapolis has an excellent reputation for both its fine dining and nightlife.