Physical Map of Indiana - Geographical Features of Indiana

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:40 ET

Physical Map of Indiana showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other Indiana physical features.

Indiana Physical Map

Physical Features of Indiana

Indiana is characterized by gently rolling plains, fertile farmland, and low hills shaped by glacial activity. Most of the state lies within the Central Lowlands, with flat to slightly undulating terrain that supports agriculture. Northern Indiana features moraines and lakes left behind by glaciers, while southern Indiana becomes more rugged with hills and limestone ridges. Major rivers such as the Wabash and Ohio define much of the landscape, and a small shoreline along Lake Michigan adds a coastal feature in the northwest.

Major Landforms in Indiana

LandformTypeRegionDescription
Central LowlandsPlainStatewideFlat fertile agricultural region
Northern MorainesGlacial featureNorthRidges from glacial deposits
Indiana DunesCoastalNorthwestSandy dunes along lake
Tipton Till PlainPlainCentralLevel glacial farmland
Knobstone HillsHillsSouthSteep rolling hills
Mitchell PlainPlainSouthLimestone flatland area
Crawford UplandUplandSouthForested rugged terrain
Wabash ValleyValleyWestBroad river valley
White River ValleyValleyCentralMajor drainage basin
Kankakee MarshWetlandNorthwestFormer wetland region

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in Indiana

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Wabash RiverRiverWestLongest river in state
White RiverRiverCentralMajor tributary system
Ohio RiverRiverSouthForms southern boundary
Kankakee RiverRiverNorthwestFlows into Illinois
Tippecanoe RiverRiverNorthFlows into Wabash
Lake MichiganLakeNorthwestGreat Lakes shoreline
Lake MonroeLakeSouthLargest lake in Indiana
Patoka LakeLakeSouthLarge reservoir
Mississinewa LakeLakeNorthFlood control reservoir
Brookville LakeLakeEastRecreation reservoir

Elevation and Terrain in Indiana

Indiana has modest elevation changes, with its highest point located in the eastern part of the state and its lowest point along the Ohio River. The terrain is mostly flat to gently rolling, with more rugged hills found in the southern region.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointHoosier Hill – 1,257 ft
Lowest PointOhio River – 320 ft
Average Elevation700 ft
Terrain TypePlains and rolling hills

Indiana Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateIndiana
Total Area36,420 sq mi
Land Area35,826 sq mi
Water Area593 sq mi
Highest PointHoosier Hill
Lowest PointOhio River
Longest RiverWabash River
Largest LakeLake Monroe
Major LandformsCentral Lowlands, Hills
Main Water BodiesWabash River, Lake Michigan
Terrain TypeFlat plains and hills
CoastlineLake Michigan shoreline