Iowa State Maps
These maps show Iowa State's Counties, Cities, Federal Areas, Physiographic, and Ecoregion's.

The 99 Counties of Iowa and Their Name Origins
- Adair County: Named for John Adair, a governor of Kentucky.
- Adams County: Named after John Adams, the second President of the United States.
- Allamakee County: Named for Allan Makee, a trader and explorer in the region.
- Appanoose County: Named for Chief Appanoose, a Meskwaki chief.
- Audubon County: Named after John James Audubon, the naturalist and ornithologist.
- Benton County: Named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri.
- Black Hawk County: Named for Chief Black Hawk, a leader of the Sauk tribe.
- Boone County: Named for Captain Nathan Boone, an explorer and the son of Daniel Boone.
- Bremer County: Named for Fredrika Bremer, a Swedish author and social reformer.
- Buchanan County: Named after James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States.
- Buena Vista County: Named for the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican-American War.
- Butler County: Named for General William O. Butler, a hero of the Mexican-American War.
- Calhoun County: Named for John C. Calhoun, a U.S. Senator and Vice President.
- Carroll County: Named for Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Cass County: Named after Lewis Cass, a U.S. Senator and Secretary of War.
- Cedar County: Named for the Cedar River, which flows through the county.
- Cerro Gordo County: Named for the Battle of Cerro Gordo during the Mexican-American War.
- Cherokee County: Named for the Cherokee Native American tribe.
- Chickasaw County: Named for the Chickasaw Native American tribe.
- Clarke County: Named for James Clarke, a Governor of Iowa Territory.
- Clay County: Named after Henry Clay, a U.S. Senator and Secretary of State.
- Clayton County: Named for John M. Clayton, a U.S. Senator from Delaware.
- Clinton County: Named for DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York and advocate for the Erie Canal.
- Crawford County: Named for William Harris Crawford, a U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Treasury.
- Dallas County: Named for George M. Dallas, the 11th Vice President of the United States.
- Davis County: Named for Garrett Davis, a U.S. Senator from Kentucky.
- Decatur County: Named for Stephen Decatur, a hero of the War of 1812.
- Delaware County: Named after the Delaware Native American tribe.
- Des Moines County: Named for the Des Moines River, derived from French for “of the monks.”
- Dickinson County: Named for Daniel S. Dickinson, a U.S. Senator from New York.
- Dubuque County: Named for Julien Dubuque, a French-Canadian fur trader and the first European settler of Iowa.
- Emmet County: Named for Robert Emmet, an Irish patriot and nationalist.
- Fayette County: Named after Marquis de Lafayette, a French general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Floyd County: Named for Sergeant Charles Floyd, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- Franklin County: Named for Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States.
- Fremont County: Named for John C. Fremont, an explorer and military officer.
- Greene County: Named for General Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War hero.
- Grundy County: Named for Felix Grundy, a U.S. Senator from Tennessee.
- Guthrie County: Named for Captain Edwin Guthrie, an early settler of Iowa.
- Hamilton County: Named for William W. Hamilton, an early settler and legislator in Iowa.
- Hancock County: Named after John Hancock, a Founding Father of the United States and President of the Second Continental Congress.
- Hardin County: Named for Colonel John Hardin, a soldier and pioneer in Kentucky.
- Harrison County: Named for William Henry Harrison, the 9th President of the United States.
- Henry County: Named for Patrick Henry, a Founding Father and governor of Virginia.
- Howard County: Named for General Tilghman Ashurst Howard, a politician from Indiana.
- Humboldt County: Named for Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist and explorer.
- Ida County: Named for Ida Smith, the first European-American woman to settle in the region.
- Iowa County: Named for the Iowa Native American tribe.
- Jackson County: Named for Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States.
- Jasper County: Named for Sergeant William Jasper, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
- Jefferson County: Named for Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States.
- Johnson County: Named for Richard Mentor Johnson, the 9th Vice President of the United States.
- Jones County: Named for George Wallace Jones, one of Iowa’s first U.S. Senators.
- Keokuk County: Named for Chief Keokuk, a Sauk leader.
- Kossuth County: Named for Lajos Kossuth, a Hungarian patriot and governor-president.
- Lee County: Named for Robert E. Lee, an American military officer.
- Linn County: Named for Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri.
- Louisa County: Likely named for Louisa Massey, a heroine of the Black Hawk War.
- Lucas County: Named for Robert Lucas, the first Governor of Iowa Territory.
- Lyon County: Named for Nathaniel Lyon, a general in the American Civil War.
- Madison County: Named for James Madison, the 4th President of the United States.
- Mahaska County: Named for Chief Mahaska of the Iowa Native American tribe.
- Marion County: Named for Francis Marion, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
- Marshall County: Named for John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States.
- Mills County: Named for Frederick Mills, an Iowa soldier who died in the Mexican-American War.
- Mitchell County: Named for John Mitchell, a distinguished leader in the Mexican-American War.
- Monona County: Likely named for an Indian word meaning "beautiful valley."
- Monroe County: Named for James Monroe, the 5th President of the United States.
- Montgomery County: Named for Richard Montgomery, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Muscatine County: Named for the Muscatine Native American tribe.
- O'Brien County: Named for William Smith O'Brien, an Irish revolutionary leader.
- Osceola County: Named for Chief Osceola of the Seminole tribe.
- Page County: Named for Captain John Page, who died in the Mexican-American War.
- Palo Alto County: Named for the Battle of Palo Alto during the Mexican-American War.
- Plymouth County: Named for Plymouth, Massachusetts, the location of the first Pilgrim settlement.
- Pocahontas County: Named for Pocahontas, the Native American woman associated with the English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia.
- Polk County: Named for James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States.
- Pottawattamie County: Named for the Pottawattamie Native American tribe.
- Poweshiek County: Named for Chief Poweshiek of the Meskwaki tribe.
- Ringgold County: Named for Major Samuel Ringgold, a hero of the Mexican-American War.
- Sac County: Named for the Sac Native American tribe.
- Scott County: Named for General Winfield Scott, a hero of the Mexican-American War.
- Shelby County: Named for Isaac Shelby, a hero of the American Revolutionary War and the first governor of Kentucky.
- Sioux County: Named for the Sioux Native American tribe.
- Story County: Named for Joseph Story, a U.S. Supreme Court justice.
- Tama County: Named for Taimah, a chief of the Meskwaki tribe.
- Taylor County: Named for General Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States.
- Union County: Named to commemorate the federal union of the United States.
- Van Buren County: Named for Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States.
- Wapello County: Named for Chief Wapello of the Meskwaki tribe.
- Warren County: Named for General Joseph Warren, who died in the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War.
- Washington County: Named for George Washington, the 1st President of the United States.
- Wayne County: Named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
- Webster County: Named for Daniel Webster, a U.S. Senator and Secretary of State.
- Winnebago County: Named for the Winnebago Native American tribe.
- Winneshiek County: Named for Chief Winneshiek of the Winnebago tribe.
- Woodbury County: Named for Levi Woodbury, a U.S. Senator from New Hampshire and U.S. Supreme Court justice.
- Worth County: Named for General William Jenkins Worth, a hero of the Mexican-American War.
- Wright County: Named for Silas Wright, a U.S. Senator from New York.

Iowa State County Sizes Map
Smallest County in Iowa State
Dickinson County: 407 sq miles
Largest County in Iowa State
Kossuth County: 983 sq miles
Mean and Median Area of Counties in Iowa State
Mean Area: 573 sq miles
Median Area: 570 sq miles

Major Cities of Iowa State and Their Locations
1. River Ports
Davenport: A major city located along the Mississippi River. It has a rich history in trade and agriculture due to its river access.
Burlington: Another important city on the Mississippi River, known for its historic downtown and its role as a key trading post during the 19th century.
Muscatine: Located along the Mississippi River, Muscatine has a rich industrial history, particularly in button manufacturing from freshwater mussels, and now supports a mix of agriculture and manufacturing industries.
2. Historic Paths or Routes
Des Moines: Iowa's capital and largest city, strategically located at the intersection of historic trade routes. Des Moines is now a hub for insurance, finance, and publishing industries.
Cedar Rapids: Known as the "City of Five Seasons," Cedar Rapids is an economic hub, particularly in the food processing industry, with several historic rail routes passing through the city.
Ames: Home to Iowa State University, Ames is an important center for education and agriculture, with historic paths linking it to central Iowa's farming communities.
3. Agricultural Centers
Waterloo: An important agricultural and manufacturing city, located along the Cedar River. Waterloo has a rich history in tractor manufacturing and is known for its role in the state’s agricultural economy.
Sioux City: Located on the Missouri River in western Iowa, Sioux City is a key regional hub for agriculture, meatpacking, and food production industries.
4. Educational and Cultural Centers
Iowa City: Home to the University of Iowa, Iowa City is a cultural and educational center, known for its vibrant literary scene and as the location of the famous Iowa Writers' Workshop.
Dubuque: One of Iowa’s oldest cities, located along the Mississippi River, Dubuque is a historic center of commerce and culture, now known for its beautiful riverfront, architecture, and tourism industry.
5. Growing Suburban Cities
West Des Moines: A rapidly growing suburb of Des Moines, it has become a major commercial and retail hub, with a strong connection to the state's financial sector.
Ankeny: Located just north of Des Moines, Ankeny is one of Iowa’s fastest-growing cities, with a burgeoning suburban community and a growing manufacturing and tech industry.

Topographic Tour of Iowa
Iowa State is characterized by its rolling plains, carved by ancient glacial activity, and shaped by its unique geology and climate. Iowa's landscape features a mix of flat plains, gentle hills, and numerous river valleys, making it a critical agricultural hub.

Physiographic Regions of Iowa
CENTRAL LOWLAND, DISSECTED TILL PLAINS
This region, located in southwestern Iowa, features gently rolling hills and rich soils, making it ideal for agriculture. The land here was shaped by glaciers and is dissected by numerous river valleys.
CENTRAL LOWLAND, TILL PLAINS
The Till Plains cover much of central Iowa, with flat to gently rolling terrain. These plains were formed by glacial till deposits, creating some of the most fertile soils in the world.
CENTRAL LOWLAND, WESTERN LAKE
This area in northwestern Iowa is characterized by the presence of natural lakes and wetlands, offering diverse ecosystems and recreational opportunities.
CENTRAL LOWLAND, WISCONSIN DRIFTLESS
The Driftless Area in northeastern Iowa escaped glaciation during the last Ice Age, resulting in rugged terrain with steep valleys, bluffs, and rock formations. This region is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreation.

Notable Federal Lands: Some of the Largest and Most Fascinating Destinations in Iowa
1. Effigy Mounds National Monument
This monument preserves prehistoric mounds built by Native American cultures along the Mississippi River. The mounds are shaped like animals, and visitors can hike trails to view them while learning about their cultural significance.
2. Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Located in north-central Iowa, Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect one of the few remaining remnants of prairie pothole wetland ecosystems. The refuge provides critical habitat for migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, and seasonal hunting opportunities.
3. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
This refuge stretches along the Mississippi River across four states, including Iowa. It provides crucial habitat for migratory birds, fish, and wildlife, covering over 200,000 acres of floodplain forests, wetlands, and backwaters. Visitors can engage in activities such as fishing, boating, birdwatching, and hiking, while enjoying the scenic beauty of one of the largest river refuges in the country.

Ecoregions of Iowa
Central Dissected Till Plains Section
This ecoregion covers much of southwestern Iowa and is characterized by its fertile soils and rolling hills, ideal for agriculture. It is heavily altered by farming, with much of the original prairie replaced by cropland.
Minnesota & NE Iowa Morainal, Oak Savannah Section
Located in northeastern Iowa, this region was shaped by glaciation, resulting in rugged hills, bluffs, and valleys. It is known for its oak savanna ecosystems, as well as the remnants of native prairie.
North-Central Glaciated Plains Section
This ecoregion covers much of central and northern Iowa. It consists of flat to gently rolling plains formed by glacial deposits, supporting extensive agricultural activity.
North-Central U.S. Driftless and Escarpment Section
The Driftless Region in northeastern Iowa features steep hills, cliffs, and scenic river valleys. This unique area escaped glaciation, preserving its rugged topography and diverse ecosystems.