American film actor, director and producer John Wayne, was born in Winterset. In high school, he wrote for the newspaper under the byline“M.M.M,” because he aspired to be a sports journalist.

The Grotto of the Redemption, a religious monument in West Bend, is known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” It’s considered to be the world’s most complete man-made collection of minerals, fossils and shells. Its estimated value exceeds $4.3 million.

Iowa’s RAGBRAI stands for Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride and includes more than 10,000 riders. 

“Field of Dreams”, a Kevin Costner baseball movie, was set in Dubuque.

The International World Food Prize Award is based in Des Moines. The award includes a $250,000 cash pot and recognizes achievements in food improvement and sustainability.

Iowa is the only state bordered by two major rivers.

Hogs outnumber humans 4 to 1 in Iowa, and with approximately 3 million people living in the state.

Iowa’s elevation changes 1,190 feet, from the low point of 480 feet above sea level to a high point of 1,670 above sea level. Compare this to other states, like Illinois, 956 feet elevation change, Florida, 345 feet and Indiana, 937 feet.

The 2010 census reports that:

–       Iowa’s population is more than 3 million people

–       Iowa’s population is about 1 percent of the entire U.S. population

–       about 91 percent of the population is white

–       a disproportionate share of the population is over age 65

–       there’s a higher rate of homeownership than other states

–       Iowa boasts a lower poverty level that other states

–       there’s a higher proportion of high school graduates

–       there’s also a higher proportion of veterans than average

–       Iowa uses less than its per capita “share” of federal spending

–       hogs outnumber Iowans by about 4 to 1

sources:

http://www.movoto.com/blog/opinions/iowa-facts/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/27/1011089/-Ten-Things-You-Didn-t-Know-about-Iowa#

http://iowafacts.facts.co/iowafunfactsabout/iowafactsforkids.php