History of Indiana
The U.S. State of Indiana was admitted as the 19th state of the union on December 11th, 1816. Located in the northern Midwest United States, Indiana is also a part of the Great Lakes region. Like much of the United States and the continent of North America, the land comprising modern day Indiana was inhabited by indigenous tribes of Native Americans for several thousands of years before European contact. The first inhabitants of the region date back to nearly 8000 B.C. when a group of Paleo-Indians migrated towards the region after the Ice Age.
After thousands of years of civilization growth and expansion, the Europeans made contact with the several tribes of Native Americans who now lived in the region; the Algonquin tribes. The French first arrived in the region in 1679 when French explorer Rene – Robert Cavalier made his way into the American Midwest. By the early 1700’s, the French set up several trading posts along the nearby rivers along with several manned-forts along the Mississippi River and Lake Erie to protect their newly established trade routes. After hostilities broke out between British Colonists and the French and Native Americans during the French and Indian War, a British victory forced the French to surrender most of their settled territory in modern day Indiana.
By the 1800’s, after the hostilities during the French and Indian War, and the later American Revolution, control of the Indiana Territory was under control of the United States of America. Throughout the next few years, as the territories of the Midwest were being formed and subsequently assigned governors and capitals, the Indiana Territory found its current boundaries and state lines that still exist to this day.
Present – Indiana
Currently, Indiana is the 38th largest state by area and the 17th most populous of the United States of America. The capital of Indiana, Indianapolis, is currently the largest city by population. A 2015 estimation by the United States Census Bureau put the population of Indianapolis at 855,164. By comparison, Indianapolis has a larger population than the next three cities of Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend combined. More recently in 2017, the United States Census Bureau estimated the entire population of Indiana to stand at 6,663,280.
Indiana has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire country. Much of the population is employed in Indiana’s strong manufacturing business and agriculture business. Some of the state’s main exports include auto parts, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and industrial machinery.
Indiana has a reputation for its sports teams, the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers. In addition, the Indianapolis 500 is one of the most popular motor-sport events in the nation. Along with it’s major league sports teams, Indiana fields some of the most popular collegiate athletics programs that the NCAA has to offer, such as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Indiana Hoosiers.
Indiana’s prime location in the Great Lakes region makes it a prime location for tourists traveling across the country. Lake Michigan never fails as a top destination for tourists with its long stretches of sandy beaches. As a perfect mid-way spot between the coasts, Indiana has much to offer tourists who prefer metropolitan areas, coastal get away’s, or wide open farmland.