Ohio

State of Ohio

(In Detail) (Full size)
State nickname: "The Buckeye State"
Other U.S. States
Capital	Columbus
Largest City	Columbus
Area - Total - Land - Water - % water	Ranked 34th 116,096 km² 106,154 km² 10,044 km² 8.65%
Population  - Total (2000)  - Density	Ranked 7th 11,353,140 98/km²
Admittance into Union - Order - Date	17th August 7, 1953, retroactive to March 1, 1803
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Latitude Longitude	38°27'N to 41°58'N 80°32'W to 84°49'W
Width Length Elevation   -Highest   -Mean   -Lowest	355 km 355 km   472 meters 260 meters 139 meters
ISO 3166-2:	US-OH

The US Navy has named a series of ships USS Ohio in honor of this state.

Table of contents

1 History 2 Law and Government 3 Geography 4 Economy 5 Demographics 6 Important Cities and Towns 7 Education 7.1 Colleges and Universities 8 Professional Sports Teams 9 External Links

History

Ohio, the region north of the Ohio River and south of the Great Lakes, was originally controlled by various native tribes, primarily the Iroquois at the time of European colonization. During the 18^th century, the French set up a system of trading posts to control the fur trade in the region.

In 1754, France and Great Britain fought a war known in North America as the French and Indian War. As a result of the Treaty of Paris, the French ceded control of Ohio and the old Northwest to Great Britain.

Britain soon passed the Proclamation of 1763, which prohibited the American colonists from settling in Ohio Country. British control of the region ended with an American victory in the American Revolution, after which the British ceded claims to Ohio and the territory in the West to the Mississippi River to the United States.

The United States created the Northwest Territory in 1787 under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, also known as the Freedom Ordinance because for the first time slavery would be prohibited from an entire American region. The states of the Midwest would be known as free states, in contradistinction to those states south of the Ohio River known as slave states, and later, as Northeastern states abolished slavery in the coming two generations, the free states would be known as Northern States. The Northwest Territory originally included the Ohio Country. The Indiana Territory was later created, reducing the Northwest Territory to the size of present-day Ohio.

Under the Northwest Ordinance, Ohio could begin the process to statehood once its population exceeded 5,000. On February 19, 1803, President Jefferson signed an act of Congress that declared Ohio the 17^th state. The current custom of Congress declaring statehood did not begin until 1812, with Louisiana's admission, so, in 1953, President Eisenhower signed an act that officially declared March 1, 1803 the date of Ohio's admittance into the Union.

In 1835, Ohio fought a war with Michigan over the city of Gargamesh, (now Toledo, Ohio) known as the Toledo War. Congress intervened, giving Toledo to Ohio.

Law and Government

The Buckeye State
State Animal:	White-tailed Deer
State Bird:	Cardinal
State Capital:	Columbus
State Flower:	Scarlet Carnation
State Wildflower:	Trillium Grandiflorum
State Insect:	Ladybird Beetle
State Song:	"Beautiful Ohio"
State Rock Song:	"Hang On Sloopy"
State Tree:	Ohio Buckeye
State Fossil:	Isotelus Trilobites
State Drink:	Tomato juice
State Reptile:	Black racer snake
State Gemstone:	Ohio Flint
State Motto:	"With God all things are possible"

Geography

Much of Ohio features glaciated plains, with an exceptionally flat area in the northwest being known as the Great Black Swamp. This glaciated region in the northwest and central state is bordered to the east and southeast first by a belt known as the glaciated Allegheny Plateau, and then by another belt known as the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. Most of Ohio is of low relief, but the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau features rugged hills and forests.

Significant rivers within the state include the Cuyahoga River, Maumee River, Miami River, Muskingum River, and Scioto River.

Economy

Ohio, a major producer of machines, tools, and other products, is one of the leading industrial states. As part of the Midwestern Corn Belt, agriculture also plays an important role in the state's economy. In addition, however, Ohio's historical attractions, varying landscapes, and recreational opportunities are the basis for a thriving tourist industry. Over 2,500 lakes and 70,000 kilometers of river landscapes are a paradise for boaters, fishermen, and swimmers. Of special historical interest are the Native American archeological sites -- including grave mounds and other sites.

Ohio's 1999 total gross state product was $362 billion, placing it 7^th in the nation. Its 2000 Per Capita Personal Income was $28,400, 19^th in the nation. Ohio's agricultural outputs are soybeans, dairy products, corn, tomatoes, hogs, cattle, poultry and eggs. Its industrial outputs are transportation equipment, fabricated metal products, machinery, food processing, and electric equipment.

6.6% of its population were reported as under 5, 25.4% under 18, and 13.3% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 51.4% of the population.

Important Cities and Towns

Education

Colleges and Universities

• 13 state universities
• 24 state university branch and regional campuses
• 46 liberal arts colleges and universities
• 2 free-standing state-assisted medical schools
• 15 community colleges
• 8 technical colleges
• over 24 independent non-profit colleges

External Links

• State of Ohio Official Website
• The Straight Dope: Is U.S. income tax invalid because Ohio wasn't legally a state when the 16th amendment was ratified?