Map of Iowa (IA), Iowa State Map

Written and fact-checked by | Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Located in the Midwestern United States, Iowa is often referred to as the "American Heartland". Iowa is also known as the "Food Capital of the World". Its capital and largest city is Des Moines.

Map of Iowa with Cities, Road, River, Highways

Map of Iowa

About Map: Iowa Map showing the capital, state boundary, roads, rail network,rivers, interstate highways, major cities and towns.

More Iowa Maps & Info

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Iowa ZipcodesWhere is IowaAirports in Iowa
Iowa Area CodesIowa Blank MapIowa River Map
Iowa Physical MapIowa Road MapWhere is Where is Des Moines

About Iowa

Iowa is the 26th biggest state in the United States. The State of Iowa is located to the west of the Mississippi River, in the Midwestern part of the United States. The state of Iowa is known for its delicious cuisines, welcoming nature of the residents, and its blend of urban and rural tradition. The capital of IA is Des Moines and it is also the biggest city of the state. There are many hotels in Iowa to suit the needs of vacationers. The main airport of IA is Des Moines International Airport.

Iowa is the 29th state of the United States. It is frequently called as the "American Heartland". The capital and biggest city of IA is Des Moines and the state covers a total land area of 56,272 sq miles. It has common boundaries with Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The major rivers flow through the State are The Missouri River, Iowa River, Des Moines River and Cedar River.

Tourist attractions in Iowa

The state of IA houses a range of tourist destinations, which include the following:

  • Cedar Falls - It is closely located to Waterloo and houses the University of Northern Iowa
  • Ames - It is famous for the Iowa State University and is located to the north of Des Moines
  • Council Bluffs - It is a famous Western metropolitan area on the banks of the Missouri River
  • Cedar Rapids - Second biggest city in the state
  • Dubuque - The city is famous for its mountains and lies close to the Mississippi River
  • Des Moines - Capital and largest city of the state. It is nicknamed as the "Insurance Capital of the United States".
  • Quad Cities - Fifty percent of Bettendorf and Davenport is situated in Iowa, and the rest lies in Illinois.
  • Iowa City - Famous for the University of Iowa. It is closely located to the Cedar Rapids.
  • Sioux City - A famous city beside the Missouri River in the northwest.
Amana Colonies, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and Effigy Mounds National Monument are the other popular tourist spots in the state.

Iowa Airports & Airlines

The Eastern Iowa Airport, Des Moines International Airport, Eppley Airfield (Nebraska), and Quad City International Airport (Illinois) are the major airports serving the state. AirTran Airways, Allegiant Air, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Express, and US Airways are the main carriers.

Economy of Iowa

Frequently referred to as the "Food Capital of the World", Iowa has an agriculture-oriented economy. Sectors like biotechnology, food processing, manufacturing, insurance and financial services, and federal jobs make a huge contribution to the economy of the state.

Iowa State Facts

State NameIowa
NicknameThe Hawkeye State
CountryUnited States
ContinentNorth America
Capital CityDes Moines
Largest CityDes Moines
AbbreviationIA
State MottoOur Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
Bordering StatesMinnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota
State FlowerWild Prairie Rose
State BirdEastern Goldfinch
State AnimalNone
Joined the UnionDecember 28, 1846
Area56,273 sq mi (145,746 sq km)
Major CitiesDes Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City
TimezoneCentral Time Zone
Population3,190,369 (2020 Census)
Highest PointHawkeye Point - 1,670 ft (509 m)
Lowest PointMississippi River - 480 ft (146 m)
Major RiversMississippi River, Missouri River, Des Moines River, Cedar River, Iowa River
Major LakesSpirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, Rathbun Lake, Red Rock Reservoir, Clear Lake
Longest RiverDes Moines River
Famous ForCorn production, agriculture, Iowa State Fair, covered bridges, caucuses
AirportsDes Moines International Airport, Eastern Iowa Airport, Sioux Gateway Airport, Quad City International Airport
Major Sports TeamIowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, Iowa Cubs
Major HighwaysUS Highway 20, US Highway 30, US Highway 34, US Highway 61, US Highway 69
State RoutesIowa Highway 2, Iowa Highway 3, Iowa Highway 5, Iowa Highway 9, Iowa Highway 141
Official Websitehttps://www.iowa.gov

List of the Largest Cities in Iowa by Population

CityCountyPopulation (2020 Census)Lat Long
Des MoinesPolk County214,13341.5868,-93.6250
Cedar RapidsLinn County137,71041.9779,-91.6656
DavenportScott County101,72441.5236,-90.5776
Sioux CityWoodbury County85,79742.4997,-96.4003
Iowa CityJohnson County74,82841.6611,-91.5302
WaterlooBlack Hawk County67,31442.4928,-92.3426
AmesStory County66,42742.0308,-93.6319
West Des MoinesPolk County68,72341.5772,-93.7113
Council BluffsPottawattamie County62,79941.2619,-95.8608
DubuqueDubuque County59,66742.5006,-90.6646

Iowa Interstates

North-South interstates include: Interstate 29 and Interstate 35.

East-West interstates include: Interstate 80 and Interstate 380.

Iowa State Routes

Iowa Highway 2, Iowa Highway 3, Iowa Highway 5, Iowa Highway 9, Iowa Highway 141, Iowa Highway 163, Iowa Highway 415.

Regions in Iowa

  • Driftless Area
  • Loess Hills
  • Des Moines Metropolitan Area
  • Great Lakes Region
  • Northeast Iowa
  • Central Iowa
  • Western Iowa
  • Southeast Iowa

Main Sights in Iowa

  • Iowa State Capitol - Des Moines
  • Field of Dreams Movie Site - Dyersville
  • Amana Colonies - Amana
  • Effigy Mounds National Monument - Harpers Ferry
  • Bridges of Madison County - Winterset
  • Blank Park Zoo - Des Moines
  • National Mississippi River Museum - Dubuque
  • Maquoketa Caves State Park - Maquoketa
  • Adventureland Park - Altoona
  • Pikes Peak State Park - McGregor
  • Reiman Gardens - Ames
  • Okoboji Lakes - Okoboji

National Parks in Iowa

  • Effigy Mounds National Monument
  • Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
  • Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
  • Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
  • California National Historic Trail