According to ehotelat, Indiana is one of the most beautiful and scenic states in the United States. The land of the Indians, as the name of the state is translated, borders on Lake Michigan, where you can spend very nice days in nature. The largest city in the state is Indianapolis, but the small towns in Indiana also have their charm. Here you can get an insight into the rural life of the people who often run large farms in Indiana. Indiana is definitely a state where you can get to know many different facets of the United States.
One of the most beautiful aspects of a vacation in Indiana is that there are many free and undeveloped regions with smaller mountains, lakes and rivers, where you can do wonderful sports and relax, but also go on hikes.
Indiana may not be famous for its many sights or breathtaking buildings, but the beautiful landscape definitely makes up for it. Especially since museums and other cultural institutions can also be found in some cities.
Indiana is worth a trip, here you get to see an America that is still quite original.
Indiana – key data
Land area: 94,321 sq km (ranked 38th of all US states)
Share of water surface: 1.5%
Population: 6.38 million people (2008 estimate, ranked 16th of all states in the USA)
Population density: 68 residents per square kilometer (17th place of all states in the USA)
Member of the United States since: December 11, 1816
Capital city: Indianapolis (795,458 residents, 2006, metropolitan area 2.01 million residents)
Largest city: Indianapolis
Highest point: 383 m, Hoosier Hill
Lowest point: 98 m, Ohio River and mouth of the Wabash River
Governor: Mitch Daniels (Republican)
Lieut. Governor: Backy Skillman (Republican)
Local time: CET -6 h. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November: CET -5 h.
The time difference to Central Europe is -6 h in both winter and summer.
Postal abbreviation: IN
Indiana, as well as Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, and Ohio and Wisconsin, are part of the American Midwest. It is also one of the eight states that make up the Great Lake region.
The capital of Indianas is Indianapolis. With a total area of about 94,321 square kilometers, Indiana is in size comparison with the other states in 38th place. Its largest north-south extension is about 400 kilometers; from east to west its territory reaches an extension of about 233 kilometers.
Indiana borders Michigan and Lake Michigan to the north and Ohio to the east. The Ohio River forms the border with Kentucky in the south. Its western neighbor is Ohio and Indiana joins Illinois to the east. Indiana’s highest point is Hoosier Hill in Wayne County at 383 meters above sea level. The area of Indiana is on average about 210 meters above sea level. Its lowest point is 98 meters on the Ohio.
The most important river and also the official state river of Indiana is the 765 kilometer long Wabash River. It is the largest northern tributary of the approximately 1,579 kilometer long Ohio River. Rising in northwest Ohio, it stretches across Indiana. In its further course it forms the border between Indiana and Illinois. Its main tributaries are the Tippecanoe and White Rivers, which also both flow through Indiana. Other tributaries from Illinois are the Little Wabash River and the Embarras.
Indiana’s multi-faceted landscape is shaped by two geographic regions of the United States: the Central Lowland and the Interior Low Plateau. Forests and prairie landscapes run through the north of Indiana. Hilly stretches of land extend along the rivers and moraines as well as in the dune regions of Lake Michigan. Northeast Indiana has many natural lakes and is therefore also known as the Indiana Lake Country. Many wetlands and unique sand dune landscapes shape the north-west of the state. Extensive forests and prairie landscapes are
characteristic of central Indiana. In addition, large parts of the area are used for agriculture. At an average of 300 meters above sea level, east central Indiana is higher than the rest of the state and is also home to the highest point in the state. The southern Indiana is in contrast to the rest of the state: in addition to rocky terrain
such as the Knobstone Escarpment there are heavily forested regions.
Indiana has 24 so-called state parks, nine man-made reservoirs and hundreds of lakes. The areas administered by the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service include, for example, the George Rogers Clark National in Vincennes, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore near Michigan (City), the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City and the Hoosier National Forest in Bedford.
Climate and Best Time to Travel to Indiana
Climate Indiana: The US state of Indiana has a temperate continental climate with clearly identifiable seasons. The course of the seasons is very similar to that in Germany. The summers are warm to hot with daily highs around 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, daytime temperatures are around freezing. The day / night difference in temperatures is quite pronounced and lies between 10 and 15 degrees. Because of this, it can get really cold on winter nights.
On the shores of Lake Michigan, which juts into the state to the north, the climate is somewhat more moderate. Summers are cooler and winters milder than in central Indiana. In return, the sea air increasingly carries stronger winds and precipitation. The average annual precipitation in Indiana is already quite high at around 1000 mm. The least precipitation falls in summer, peaks are reached in spring and autumn.
In the south of the state, the climate is slightly subtropical Coloring. Bitter cold is not to be expected here in winter. In summer it can be humid and humid than further north. In the south, the predominantly flat landscape of Indiana encounters some higher-lying areas. Depending on the altitude, it is a few degrees cooler here than in the lowlands. Indiana is much less affected by tornadoes than the neighboring state of Illinois. But they cannot be ruled out in spring either.
Best Time to Travel to Indiana: The temperate climate in Indiana allows for comfortable travel from May to October. Those who definitely want to avoid the acquaintance of storms and tornadoes should choose early autumn rather than spring for a trip to Indiana. Hikers will find good conditions around Lake Michigan and the Ohio River. Rain protection and a warm sweater should always be packed. In the south, the high humidity in summer can cause problems for the organism. The winter months in Indiana are considered to be rather uninteresting for tourists, especially since Indiana has no real metropolises with famous sights.
Indiana Landmarks
Indiana is the nineteenth state in the United States. The state is actually less interesting for tourists, but there are still some sights to see.
There are some well-known universities here. Also worth seeing is the Bank One Tower, the tallest building in Indianapolis at 250 meters.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also not to be missed. It is the venue for the famous Indianapolis 500 car race on Memorial Day. The US Grand Prix of Formula One is also held here.
