Indiana: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Redirect |Hoosier State|the passenger train|Hoosier State (train)}}

{{Infobox U.S. state

|Name = Indiana

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|Nickname = The [[Hoosier]] State

|Former = Indiana Territory

|Demonym = [[Hoosier]]<ref>{{cite news| title=What to Call Elsewherians and why|publisher=CNN |url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/11/07/mf.nicknames/ |accessdate=October 4, 2008~~-10-04~~ | date= November 7, 2007}}</ref>

|Motto = The Crossroads of America

|Capital = [[Indianapolis]]

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'''Indiana''' {{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Indiana.ogg|ɪ|n|d|i|ˈ|æ|n|ə}} is a [[U.S. state]] located in the [[Midwestern United States|midwestern]] and [[Great Lakes region (North America)|Great Lakes]] regions of North America. Indiana is the [[List of U.S. states and territories by area|38th largest by area]] and the [[List of U.S. states and territories by population|16th most populous]] of the [[50 United States]]. Indiana is the least extensive state in the [[contiguous United States]] west of the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. Its capital and largest city is [[Indianapolis]]. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th U.S. state on December 11, 1816.

Before it became a territory, varying cultures of [[indigenous peoples]] and historic [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] inhabited Indiana for thousands of years. Since its founding as a territory, settlement patterns in Indiana have reflected regional cultural segmentation present in the Eastern United States; the state's northernmost tier was settled primarily by people from New England and New York, Central Indiana by migrants from the Mid-Atlantic states and from adjacent Ohio, and Southern Indiana by settlers from the Southern states, particularly Kentucky and Tennessee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/286017/Indiana/279873/Settlement-patterns-and-demographic-trends|title=Indiana – Settlement patterns and demographic trends|publisher=eb.com|author=William Vincent D’Antonio & Robert L. Beck|accessdate=January 3, 2012~~-01-03~~}}</ref>

[[Economy of Indiana|Indiana has a diverse economy]] with a gross state product of $214 billion in 2005.<ref name="bea.gov">[http://bea.gov/bea/regional/gsp/action.cfm?series=NAICS&component=900&state=15&industry=101&year=2005&printable=true&querybutton=Display%20HTML Bureau of Economic Analysis: Gross State Product]</ref> Indiana has several metropolitan areas with populations greater than 100,000 and a number of smaller industrial cities and towns. Indiana is home to several major sports teams and athletic events including the [[National Football League|NFL's]] [[Indianapolis Colts]], the [[National Basketball Association|NBA's]] [[Indiana Pacers]], the [[Women’s National Basketball Association|WNBA’s]] [[Indiana Fever]], and the [[Indianapolis 500]] and [[Brickyard 400]] [[motorsports]] [[auto racing|races]].

== Etymology ==

The state's name means "Land of the [[Native Americans in the United States|Indians]]," or simply "Indian Land." This name dates back to at least the 1760s but was first applied to the region by the [[United States Congress]] when the [[Indiana Territory]] was incorporated in 1800, separating it from the [[Northwest Territory]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Stewart |first= George R. |authorlink= George R. Stewart |title= Names on the Land: A Historical Account of Place-Naming in the United States |origyear= 1945 |edition= Sentry edition (3rd) |year= 1967 |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin]] |page= 191}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/history/2686.htm|title=The naming of Indiana|publisher=IN.gov|author=Indiana Historical Bureau|accessdate=~~2008-09-~~September 29, 2008}}</ref>

Residents of Indiana are known as [[Hoosier]]s. The etymology of the word is disputed, but the leading theory as advanced by the Indiana Historical Bureau and the Indiana Historical Society has "Hoosier" originating from the upland South region of the U.S. as a derogatory slang term for a rough countryman, a country bumpkin.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Word Hoosier | author=Graf, Jeffery | publisher=Indiana University – Bloomington | url=http://www.indiana.edu/~librcsd/internet/extra/hoosier.html | accessdate=~~2012-02-~~February 27, 2012}}</ref>

==History==

The first inhabitants in what is now Indiana were the [[Paleo-Indians]], who arrived about 8000 [[Anno Domini|BC]] after the melting of the glaciers at the end of the [[Ice Age]]. Divided into small groups, the Paleo-Indians were [[nomad]]s who hunted large [[Game (food)|game]] such as [[mastodons]]. They created stone tools made out of [[chert]] by chipping, [[knapping]] and [[Lithic reduction|flaking]].<ref name="HIS">{{cite web| title =Prehistoric Indians of Indiana| publisher=State of Indiana| url =http://in.gov/dnr/historic/files/prehisindians.pdf| accessdate =July 5, 2009~~-07-05~~ }}</ref> The [[Archaic period in the Americas|Archaic period]], which began between 5000 and 4000 BC, covered the next phase of indigenous culture. The people developed new tools as well as techniques to cook food, an important step in civilization. Such new tools included different types of spear points and knives, with various forms of [[Arrow#Nocks|notches]]. They made ground-stone tools such as stone axes, woodworking tools and grinding stones. During the latter part of the period, they built earthwork [[mound]]s and [[midden]]s, which showed that settlements were becoming more permanent. The Archaic period ended at about 1500 BC, although some Archaic people lived until 700 BC.<ref name="HIS"/> Afterward, the [[Woodland period]] took place in Indiana, where various new cultural attributes appeared. During this period, the people created ceramics and pottery, and extended their cultivation of plants. An early Woodland period group named the [[Adena culture|Adena people]] had elegant burial rituals, featuring log tombs beneath earth mounds. In the middle portion of the Woodland period, the [[Hopewell tradition|Hopewell people]] began developing long-range trade of [[Good (economics)|goods]]. Nearing the end of the stage, the people developed highly productive cultivation and adaptation of agriculture, growing such crops as [[Maize|corn]] and [[Squash (plant)|squash]]. The Woodland period ended around 1000 AD.<ref name="HIS"/> The [[Mississippian culture]] emerged, lasting from 1000 until the 15th century, shortly before the arrival of Europeans. During this stage, the people created large urban settlements designed according to their cosmology, with large mounds and plazas defining ceremonial and public spaces. The concentrated settlements depended on the agricultural surpluses. One such complex was the [[Angel Mounds]]. They had large public areas such as plazas and platform mounds, where leaders lived or conducted rituals. Mississippian civilization collapsed in Indiana during the mid-1400s for reasons that remain unclear.<ref name="HIS"/> The historic Native American tribes in the area at the time of European encounter spoke different languages of the [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]] family. They included the [[Shawnee]], [[Miami people|Miami]], and [[Illiniwek|Illini]]. Later they were joined by refugee tribes from eastern regions.

[[File:Natives guiding french explorers through indiana.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Native Americans guide French explorers through Indiana, as depicted by [[Maurice Thompson]] in ''Stories of Indiana''.]]

In 1679 the French explorer [[René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle]] was the first European to cross into Indiana after reaching present-day [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]] at the [[St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)|Saint Joseph River]].<ref>Allison, p. 17</ref> He returned the following year to learn about the region. French-Canadian [[fur trade]]rs soon arrived, bringing blankets, jewelry, tools, whiskey and weapons to trade for skins with the Native Americans. By 1702, [[Louis Juchereau de St. Denis|Sieur Juchereau]] established the first trading post near [[Vincennes, Indiana|Vincennes]]. In 1715, [[Jean Baptiste Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes|Sieur de Vincennes]] built [[Fort Miami (Indiana)|Fort Miami]] at [[Kekionga]], now [[Fort Wayne]]. In 1717, another Canadian, [[Picote de Beletre]], built [[Fort Ouiatenon]] on the [[Wabash River]], to try to control Native American trade routes from [[Lake Erie]] to the [[Mississippi River]]. In 1732, Sieur de Vincennes built a second fur trading post at Vincennes. French Canadian settlers, who had left the earlier post because of hostilities, returned in larger numbers. In a period of a few years, British colonists arrived from the East and contended against the Canadians for control of the lucrative fur trade. Fighting between the French and British colonists occurred throughout the 1750s as a result.

[[File:5NationsExpansion.jpg|thumb|210px|[[Iroquois]] conquests during the [[Beaver Wars]] (mid-1600s), which largely depopulated the upper and mid-[[Ohio River]] valley.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/neri/parkmgmt/upload/NERI-GARI-final-2-CA-2011.pdf Robrt Maslowski, "Cultural Affiliations Statement: New River Gorge National River and Gauley River National Recreation Area], National Park Service, accessed 2 August 2, 2012</ref>]]

The Native American tribes of Indiana sided with the French Canadians during the [[French and Indian War]] (also known as the [[Seven Years War]]). With British victory in 1763, the French were forced to cede all their lands in North America east of the Mississippi River and north and west of the [[Thirteen Colonies|colonies]] to the British crown.

The tribes in Indiana did not give up; they destroyed [[Fort Ouiatenon]] and [[Forts of Fort Wayne, Indiana#Fort Miami|Fort Miami]] during [[Pontiac's Rebellion]]. The British royal proclamation of 1763 designated the land west of the Appalachians for Indian use, and excluded British colonists from the area, which the Crown called Indian Territory. In 1775, the [[American Revolutionary War]] began as the colonists sought for more self-government and independence from the British. The majority of the fighting took place near the East Coast, but the Patriot military officer [[George Rogers Clark]] called for an army to help fight the British in the west.<ref>Brill, p. 31-32.</ref> Clark's army won significant battles and took over [[Vincennes, Indiana|Vincennes]] and [[Fort Sackville]] on February 25, 1779.<ref name="NO">{{cite web| title =Northwest Ordinance of 1787 | publisher=State of Indiana| url =http://www.in.gov/history/2695.htm#events| accessdate =~~2009-07-~~July 24, 2009 }}</ref> During the war, Clark managed to cut off British troops who were attacking the eastern colonists from the west. His success is often credited for changing the course of the American Revolutionary War.<ref>Brill, p. 33.</ref> At the end of the war, through the [[Treaty of Paris (1783)|Treaty of Paris]], the British crown ceded their claims to the land south of the Great Lakes to the newly formed United States, including American Indian lands which they did not own.

In 1787 the US defined present-day Indiana as part of its [[Northwest Territory]]. In 1800, Congress separated [[Ohio]] from the Northwest Territory, designating the rest of the land as the [[Indiana Territory]].<ref name="GAC"/> President [[Thomas Jefferson]] chose [[William Henry Harrison]] as the governor of the territory and [[Vincennes, Indiana|Vincennes]] was established as the capital.<ref>Brill, p. 35.</ref> After [[Michigan]] was separated and the [[Illinois Territory]] was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography.<ref name="GAC">{{cite web| title =Government at Crossroads: An Indiana chronology|work=[[The Herald Bulletin]]| date =January 5, 2008| url =http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_005185600.html| accessdate =~~2009-07-~~July 22, 2009 }}</ref>

In 1810, the [[Shawnee]] [[Tribal chief|chief]] [[Tecumseh]] and his brother [[Tenskwatawa]] encouraged other tribes in the territory to resist European settlement. Tensions rose and the US authorized Harrison to launch a preemptive expedition against [[Tecumseh's Confederacy]]; the US gained victory at the [[Battle of Tippecanoe]] on November 7, 1811. Tecumseh was killed in 1813 during the [[Battle of Thames]]. After his death, armed resistance to United States control ended in the region. Most Native American tribes in the state were later [[Indian removals in Indiana|removed]] to west of the [[Mississippi River]] in the 1820s and 1830s after US negotiations and purchase their lands.<ref>Brill, pp. 36–37.</ref>

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In December 1813, [[Corydon, Indiana|Corydon]] was named the second capital of the Indiana Territory.<ref name="GAC"/> Two years later, a petition for statehood was approved by the territorial general assembly and sent to Congress. An [[Enabling Act]] was passed to provide an election of delegates to write a [[constitution of Indiana|constitution for Indiana]]. On June 10, 1816, delegates assembled at Corydon to write the constitution, which was completed in 19 days. President [[James Madison]] approved Indiana's [[List of U.S. states by date of statehood|admission into the union]] as the nineteenth state on December 11, 1816.<ref name="NO"/>

In 1825, the state capital was moved from Corydon to [[Indianapolis]] and 26 years later, a second constitution was adopted.<ref name="GAC"/> Following statehood, the new government worked to transform Indiana from a [[American frontier|frontier]] into a developed, well-populated, and thriving state, beginning significant demographic and economic changes. The state's founders initiated a program that led to the construction of roads, [[canal]]s, railroads and state-funded public schools. The plans [[Indiana Mammoth Internal Improvement Act|bankrupted the state]] and were a financial disaster, but increased land and produce value more than fourfold.<ref>{{cite web| last =Vanderstel| first =David G| title =The 1851 Indiana Constitution by David G. Vanderstel| publisher=State of Indiana| url =http://www.in.gov/history/2689.htm| accessdate =~~2009-07-~~July 24, 2009 }}</ref> Many immigrants went west to settle in Indiana in the early nineteenth century. The largest immigrant group to settle in Indiana were [[German-American|Germans]], as well as numerous immigrants from Ireland and England. Americans who were primarily [[English American|ethnically English]] migrated from the Northern Tier of New York and New England, as well as the mid-Atlantic state of Pennsylvania.<ref name="The History of Indiana">{{cite web| title =The History of Indiana| publisher=[[History (U.S. TV channel)|History]]| url =http://www.history.com/states.do?action=detail&state=IN&contentType=State_Generic&contentId=54109| accessdate =~~2009-07-~~July 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref>[http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:WJGw9z2RkkYJ:www.uen.org/Lessonplan/downloadFile.cgi%3Ffile%3D1041-6-15955-AF_Census_Data.pdf%26filename%3DAF_Census_Data.pdf+49,598,035&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgyigzsjZP7yBWdThzodFWP_t7GiFtOGi5W12qTf5nLj_yFzQ0YIKJn2pSyS1TIT-ZjvBx0s057h5mpwrf39HOZmlg3VzoOdaoPrNTdS6x-0SbHnwGXfzVLkDYTyIg7k4E_Zsn8&sig=AHIEtbTzro9GQY6LB1-9ZG9n2r46Epyyaw Data on selected ancestry groups.]</ref>

[[File:Midnight at the glassworks2b.jpg|left|thumb|Child laborers in glassworks, by [[Lewis Hine]]. Indiana, August 1908.]]

During the [[American Civil War]], Indiana became politically influential and played an important role in the affairs of the nation. As the first western state to mobilize for the United States in the war, Indiana had soldiers participating in all of the major engagements. The state provided 126 infantry regiments, 26 batteries of artillery and 13 regiments of cavalry to the cause of the Union.<ref>Funk, pp. 23–24,163</ref> In 1861, Indiana was assigned a quota of 7,500 men to join the Union Army.<ref>Gray (1995), p. 156</ref> So many volunteered in the first call that thousands had to be turned away. Before the war ended, Indiana contributed 208,367 men to fight and serve in the war. Casualties were over 35% among these men: 24,416 lost their lives in the conflict and over 50,000 more were wounded.<ref>Funk, p. 3-4</ref> The only Civil War battle fought in Indiana was the [[Battle of Corydon]], which occurred during [[Morgan's Raid]]. The battle left 15 dead, 40 wounded, and 355 captured.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Civil War; a Narrative, Red River to Appomattox|author=Foote, Shelby|publisher=Random House|year=1974|pages =343–344}}</ref>

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Following the American Civil War, Indiana industry began to grow at an accelerated rate across the northern part of the state. With industrialization, workers developed labor unions and suffrage movements arose in relation to the progress of women.<ref>Gray (1995), p. 202.</ref> The [[Indiana Gas Boom]] led to rapid industrialization during the late 19th century by providing cheap fuel to the region.<ref>Gray (1995), p. 13.</ref> In the early 20th century, Indiana developed into a strong [[Rust Belt|manufacturing state]] with ties to the new auto industry.<ref name="The History of Indiana"/> [[Haynes-Apperson]], the nation's first commercially successful auto company, operated in [[Kokomo, Indiana|Kokomo]] until 1925. The construction of the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] and the start of auto-related industries were also related to the auto industry boom.<ref>Brill, p. 47.</ref>

During the 1930s, Indiana, like the rest of the nation, was affected by the [[Great Depression]]. The economic downturn had a wide-ranging negative impact on Indiana, such as the decline of urbanization. The [[Dust Bowl]] further to the west resulted in many migrants fleeing into the more industrialized Midwest. Governor [[Paul V. McNutt]]'s administration struggled to build a state-funded welfare system to help the overwhelmed private charities. During his administration, spending and taxes were both cut drastically in response to the Depression, and the state government was completely reorganized. McNutt ended [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition]] in the state and enacted the state's first income tax. On several occasions, he declared martial law to put an end to worker strikes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countyhistory.com/doc.gov/037.htm|title= Paul V. McNutt|publisher=County History Preservation Society|last=Branson|first=Ronald|accessdate=~~2009-07-~~July 26, 2009}}</ref> World War II helped lift the economy in Indiana, as the war required steel, food and other goods that were produced in the state.<ref name="TO">Pell, p. 31.</ref> Roughly 10 percent of Indiana's population joined the armed forces, while hundreds of industries earned war production contracts and began making war material.<ref>Gray (1995), p. 350.</ref> Indiana manufactured 4.5 percent of total United States military armaments produced during [[World War II]], ranking eighth among the 48 states.<ref>[[Whiz Kids (Department of Defense)|Peck, Merton J.]] & [[Frederic M. Scherer|Scherer, Frederic M.]] ''The Weapons Acquisition Process: An Economic Analysis'' (1962) [[Harvard Business School]] p.111</ref> The expansion of industry to meet war demands helped end the Great Depression.<ref name="TO"/>

With the conclusion of World War II, Indiana rebounded to levels of production prior to the Great Depression. Industry became the primary employer, a trend that continued into the 1960s. Urbanization during the 1950s and 1960s led to substantial growth in the state's cities. The auto, steel and pharmaceutical industries topped Indiana's major businesses. Indiana's population continued to grow during the years after the war, exceeding five million by the 1970 census.<ref>{{cite book|title=Economic Geography|author=Haynes, Kingsley E. & Machunda, Zachary B|year=1987|pages =319–333}}</ref> In the 1960s, the administration of [[Matthew E. Welsh]] adopted its first sales tax of two percent.<ref>Gray (1995), p. 382</ref> Indiana schools were [[desegregated]] in 1949. In 1950, the Census Bureau reported Indiana's population as 95.5% white and 4.4% black.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indiana - Race and Hispanic Origin: 1800 to 1990|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0056/twps0056.html|accessdate=~~2012-12-~~December 28, 2012}}</ref> Governor Welsh also worked with the General Assembly to pass the Indiana [[Civil Rights]] Bill, granting equal protection to minorities in seeking employment.<ref>Gray (1995), pp. 391–392</ref>

Beginning in 1970, a series of amendments to the state constitution were proposed. With adoption, the [[Indiana Court of Appeals]] was created and the procedure of appointing justices on the courts was adjusted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/judiciary/supreme/history.html|title=History and Origins|author=Indiana Historical Bureau| publisher=Indiana Historical Bureau|accessdate=~~2009-07-~~July 28, 2009}}{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref>

The [[1973 oil crisis]] created a recession that hurt the automotive industry in Indiana. Companies such as [[Delco Electronics]] and [[Delphi (auto parts)|Delphi]] began a long series of downsizing that contributed to high unemployment rates in manufacturing in [[Anderson, Indiana|Anderson]], [[Muncie, Indiana|Muncie]], and [[Kokomo, Indiana|Kokomo]]. The restructuring and deindustrialization trend continued until the 1980s, when the national and state economy began to diversify and recover.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1992/02/art2exc.htm|title=Auto industry jobs in the 1980s: a decade of transition|last=Singleton|first=Christopher J.|publisher=Unites State Bureau of Labor Statistics|accessdate=~~2009-07-~~July 28, 2009}}</ref>

==Geography==

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With a total area (land and water) of {{convert|36418|sqmi|km2}}, Indiana ranks as the 38th largest state in size.<ref>{{cite web| title =Profile of the People and Land of the United States| publisher=[[National Atlas of the United States]]| url = http://www.nationalatlas.gov/articles/mapping/a_general.html| accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 17, 2012}}</ref> The state has a maximum dimension north to south of {{convert|250|mi|km}} and a maximum east to west dimension of {{convert|145|mi|km}}.<ref>Moore p. 11</ref> The state’s geographic center (39° 53.7’N, 86° 16.0W) is in [[Marion County, Indiana|Marion County]].<ref name=Netstate/>

Located in the midwestern United States, Indiana is one of eight states that make up the [[Great Lakes region (North America)|Great Lakes Region]].<ref>{{cite web| title =NOAA's Great Lakes Region| publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]| date =April 25, 2007| url =http://www.ppi.noaa.gov/Regional_Collaboration/Regional_Overviews/GreatLakesRegionOverview_042507.pdf| accessdate =~~2009-09-~~September 29, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=August 2012}}</ref> Indiana is bordered on the north by [[Michigan]], on the east by [[Ohio]], and on the west by [[Illinois]],<ref name="FW"/> while [[Lake Michigan]] borders Indiana on the northwest and the [[Ohio River]] separates Indiana from [[Kentucky]] on the south.<ref name=Netstate>{{cite web |title=The Geography of Indiana |publisher=Netstate

|url=http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/in_geography.htm |accessdate=~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last =Meredith| first =Robyn| title =Big-Shouldered River Swamps Indiana Town|work=The New York Times| date =March 7, 1997| url =http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/07/us/big-shouldered-river-swamps-indiana-town.html| accessdate =~~2009-08-~~August 19, 2009 }}</ref>

The average altitude of Indiana is about {{convert|760|ft|m}} above sea level.<ref>Logan, Cumings, Malott, Visher, Tucker & Reeves, p. 82</ref> The highest point in the state is [[Hoosier Hill]] in [[Wayne County, Indiana|Wayne County]] at {{convert|1257|ft|m}} above sea level.<ref>Pell, p. 56</ref><ref name=NatAtlas2010>{{cite web| title =Profile of the People and Land of the United States | publisher=[[National Atlas of the United States]]| url =http://www.atlas.usgs.gov/articles/mapping/a_general.html| accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012 }}</ref> The lowest point at {{convert|320|ft|m}} above sea level is located in [[Posey County, Indiana|Posey County]], where the Wabash River flows into the Ohio River.<ref name=Netstate/><ref name= NatAtlas2010/> Only {{convert|2850|sqmi|km2}} have an altitude greater than {{convert|1000|ft|m}} and this area is enclosed within 14 counties. About {{convert|4700|sqmi|km2}} have an elevation of less than {{convert|500|ft|m}}.<ref>Moore, p. 13</ref>

The state includes two natural regions of the United States, the Central Lowlands and the [[Interior Low Plateaus]].<ref>Logan, Cumings, Malott, Visher, Tucker & Reeves, p. 70</ref> The [[till plain]]s make up the northern and central allotment of Indiana. Much of its appearance is a result of elements left behind by glaciers. Central Indiana is mainly flat with some low rolling hills (except where rivers cut deep valleys through the plain, like at the Wabash River and Sugar Creek) and soil composed of glacial sands, gravel and clay, which results in exceptional farmland.<ref name="FW"/> Northern Indiana is also very similar except for the presence of higher and hillier [[terminal moraine]]s and many [[kettle lake]]s in some regions. In [[northwest Indiana]], there are various sand ridges and dunes, some reaching near 200 feet in height. These are located along the Lake Michigan shoreline and also inland to the [[Kankakee Outwash Plain|Kankakee River Valley]]. The unglaciated southern segment of the state carries a different and off-balance surface, characterized in places by profound valleys and rugged, hilly terrain much different from the rest of the state.Here, bedrock is exposed at the surface and isn't buried in glacial till like further north. There are numerous caves in the area. The soil is fertile in the valleys of southern Indiana.

Major river systems in Indiana include the Whitewater, White, Blue, Wabash, St. Joseph, and Maumee rivers.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Handbook of Indiana Geology| last=Logan |first= William N. |coauthor=Edgar Roscoe Cumings, Clyde Arnett Malott, Stephen Sargent Visher, et al. | year=1922|publisher=Indiana Department of Concervation/|page=257}}</ref> According to the Indiana Department of National Resources, in 2007 there were 65 rivers, streams, and creeks of environmental interest or scenic beauty, which included only a portion of an estimated 24,000 total river miles within the state.<ref>{{cite web| title = Information Bulletin #4 (Second Amendment), Outstanding Rivers List for Indiana | publisher = Natural Resources Commission | date =~~2007-05-~~May 30, 2007 | url = http://www.in.gov/legislative/register/20070530-IR-312070287NRA.xml.pdf | accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 15, 2012}}</ref> The [[Wabash River]], which is the longest free-flowing river east of the [[Mississippi River]], is the official river of Indiana.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian M |last=Boyce |title=Terre Haute's Top 40: From a trickle in Ohio to the Valley’s signature waterway, the Wabash River is forever a part of Terre Haute |work=Tribune-Star | date=August 29, 2009 | accessdate=~~2009-09-~~September 24, 2009|url=http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_241223116.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last =Jerse| first =Dorothy| title =Looking Back: Gov. Bayh signs bill making Wabash the official state river in 1996|work=[[Tribune-Star]]| date =March 4, 2006| url =http://www.tribstar.com/cnhi/tribstar/local/local_story_063223350.html| accessdate =September 7, 2009~~-09-07~~ }}</ref>

At 475 miles (764 km) in length, the river bisects the state from northeast to southwest before flowing south, mostly along the Indiana-Illinois border. The river has been the subject of several songs, such as [[On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away|''On the Banks of the Wabash'']], [[Wabash Cannonball|''The Wabash Cannonball'']] and [[Back Home Again in Indiana|''Back Home Again, In Indiana'']].<ref>{{cite news |first=Cynthia |last=Ozick |title=Miracle on Grub street; Stockholm |work=The New York Times | date=November 9, 1986 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Hans |last=Fantel |title=Sound; CDs make their mark on the Wabash Valley |work=The New York Times | date=October 14, 1984 }}</ref> The [[Kankakee River]] passes through northern Indiana before emptying into the [[Illinois River]] and serves as a demarcating line between suburban northwest Indiana and the rest of the state.<ref>{{cite news |first=John C |last=Hudson |title=Chicago: Patterns of the metropolis |work=Indiana Business Magazine | date=May 1, 2001 }}</ref>

There are over 1,000 lakes in Indiana.<ref>{{cite journal|title=''[[Field & Stream]]''|publisher=[[CBS]]|year=1971|page =86| volume =76 }}</ref> To the northwest, Indiana borders Lake Michigan, where the [[Port of Indiana]] operates the state's largest shipping port. [[Tippecanoe Lake]], the deepest lake in the state, reaches depths at nearly {{convert|120|ft|m}}, while [[Lake Wawasee]] is the largest natural lake in Indiana.<ref>{{cite web| last =Leider| first =Polly| title =A Town With Backbone: Warsaw, Ind.| publisher=[[CBS News]]| date =January 26, 2006| url =http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/26/earlyshow/main1243126_page2.shtml| accessdate =~~2009-09-~~September 29, 2009 }}</ref>

===Climate===

[[File:West Point, Indiana street.png|thumb|right|250px|Autumn in [[West Point, Indiana]]]]

Indiana has a [[humid continental climate]], with cool winters and warm, wet summers.<ref>{{cite news| last =Bridges| first =David| title =Life in Indiana — Telegraph Mentor|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London | date =November 28, 2007| url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/mentorsforexpats/4211551/Life-in-Indiana---Telegraph-Mentor.html| accessdate =July 4, 2009~~-07-04~~ }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The extreme southern portion of the state is within the [[humid subtropical climate]] area and receives more precipitation than other parts of Indiana.<ref name="FW">{{cite encyclopedia| title =Indiana| encyclopedia =''Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia''| publisher=[[Funk & Wagnalls]] }}</ref> Temperatures generally diverge from the north and south sections of the state. In the middle of the winter, average high/low temperatures range from around 30 °F/15 °F (−1 °C/-10 °C) in the far north to 39 °F/22 °F (4 °C/-6 °C) in the far south.<ref name="weather.gov">{{cite web| title =NWS Climate Data| publisher=NWS | url =http://www.weather.gov/climate/| accessdate =~~2010-12-~~December 23, 2010 }}></ref>

In the middle of summer there is generally a little less variation across the state, as average high/low temperatures range from around 84 °F/64 °F (29 °C/18 °C) in the far north to 90 °F/69 °F (32 °C/21 °C) in the far south.<ref name="weather.gov"/> The record high temperature for the state was 116 °F (47 °C) set on July 14, 1936 at [[Collegeville, Indiana|Collegeville]]. The record low was −36 °F (−38 °C) on [[1994 North American cold wave|January 19, 1994]] at [[New Whiteland, Indiana|New Whiteland]]. The [[growing season]] typically spans from 155 days in the north and 185 days in the south.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

While droughts occasionally occur in the state, rainfall totals are distributed relatively equally throughout the year. Precipitation totals range from {{convert|35|in|cm}} near Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana to {{convert|45|in|cm}} along the Ohio River in the south, while the state's average is {{convert|40|in|cm}}. Annual snowfall in Indiana varies widely across the state, ranging from {{convert|80|in|cm}} in the northwest along Lake Michigan to {{convert|14|in|cm}} in the far south. [[Lake effect snow]] accounts for roughly half of the snowfall in northwest and north central Indiana due to the effects of the moisture and relative warmth of Lake Michigan upwind. The mean wind speed is {{convert|8|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite web| title =Indiana — Climate| publisher=City-Data.com| url =http://www.city-data.com/states/Indiana-Climate.html| accessdate =July 4, 2009~~-07-04~~ }}</ref>

In a 2012 report, Indiana was ranked eighth in a list of the top 20 tornado-prone states based on [[National Weather Service]] data from 1950 through 2011.<ref>{{cite web| author =Engineering Analysis Inc. | title = Mississippi Remains #1 Among Top Twenty Tornado-Prone States| publisher=mindspring.com| date =~~2012-04-~~April 12, 2012| url = http://eai.home.mindspring.com/EAIprs94.html | accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012 }}</ref> A 2011 report ranked [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]] 15th among the top 20 tornado-prone cities in the United States,<ref>{{cite web| author =Engineering Analysis Inc. | title = Six States Contain Twelve of the Top Twenty Tornado-Prone Cities (revised version)| publisher=mindspring.com| date =~~2011-10-~~October 28, 2011| url = http://www.mindspring.com/~eai/EAIprs01.html | accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012 }}</ref> while another report from 2011 ranked [[Indianapolis]] eighth.<ref>{{cite web| last=Kellogg | first=Becky | title = Tornado Expert Ranks Top Tornado Cities | publisher=The Weather Channel| date =March 8, 2011~~-03-08~~ | url = http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/severe-weather/articles/top-tornado-cities_2011-03-08?page=2 | accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012 }}</ref><ref>In an earlier 2008 report, Indiana was listed as one of the most tornado-prone states in the United States, ranking sixth, while South Bend was ranked the 14th most tornado-prone city in the country, ahead of cities such as [[Houston]], Texas, and [[Wichita, Kansas]]. See {{cite web| last =Mecklenburg| first =Rick| title =Is Indiana the new Tornado Alley?| publisher=SouthBendTribune.com | date =May 1, 2008~~-05-01~~| url =http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2008-05-01/news/26911876_1_tornado-track-damaging-winds-and-tornadoes-indiana| accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>In a published list of the most tornado-prone states and cities in April, 2008, Indiana came in first and South Bend ranked 16th. See {{cite web| last =Henderson| first =Mark| title =Top 20 Tornado Prone Cities and States Announced| publisher=[[WIFR]]| date =May 2, 2008~~-05-02~~| url =http://www.wifr.com/weather/headlines/17036536.html| accessdate =~~2009-08-~~August 17, 2009 }}</ref> Despite its vulnerability, Indiana is not a part of [[tornado alley]].<ref>{{cite web| last =Henderson| first =Mark| title =Top 20 Tornado Prone Cities and States Announced| publisher=[[WIFR]]| date =May 2, 2008~~-05-02~~| url =http://www.wifr.com/weather/headlines/17036536.html| accessdate =~~2009-08-~~August 17, 2009 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|

| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:120%;"|Average Precipitation in Indiana<ref name="Indiana Climate Norms">{{cite web|url=http://www.agry.purdue.edu/climate/facts.aspgif|publisher=Indiana State Climate Office|title=Climate Facts|accessdate=~~2009-05-~~May 29, 2009}}</ref>

! style="background:#efefef; color:#000;"| Jan

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==Indiana counties and statistical areas==

Indiana is divided into 92 [[List of counties in Indiana|counties]]. As of 2010, the state includes 16 metropolitan and 25 micropolitan statistical areas, 117 incorporated cities, 450 towns, and several other smaller divisions and statistical areas.<ref name=GeoCensus/><ref>A 2008 news report indicated there were 13 metropolitan areas in Indiana. See {{cite web| last =Dresang| first =Joel| title =Automaking down, unemployment up|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]| date =July 30, 2008| url =http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/52021282.html| accessdate =~~2009-08-~~August 14, 2009 }}</ref> [[Marion County, Indiana|Marion County]] and Indianapolis have a consolidated city-county government.<ref name=GeoCensus/>

===Largest cities===

Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana and its largest city.<ref name=GeoCensus>{{cite web|title=Guide to State and Local Census Geography – Indiana | publisher=U.S. Census Bureau | date =~~2011-12-~~December 22, 2011 | url=http://www.census.gov/geo/www/guidesloc/guide_main.html | accessdate=~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref><ref>Indiana's territorial capitals were [[Vincennes, Indiana|Vincennes]] and later [[Corydon, Indiana|Corydon]], which also became Indiana's first [[list of current and former capital cities within U.S. states|state capital]] when it became a state.</ref> Indiana's four largest metropolitan areas are Indianapolis, [[Fort Wayne]], [[Evansville]], and South Bend.<ref>ref name=STATSIN>{{cite web|title=Indiana | publisher = Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business | url = http://www.stats.indiana.edu/profiles/profiles.asp?scope_choice=a&county_changer=18000&button1=Get+Profile&id=2&page_path=Area+Profiles&path_id=11&panel_number=1 | accessdate=~~2012-08-~~August 14, 2012}}</ref> Pictured below are the cities with populations larger than 55,000, based on the 2012 United States Census Estimate.<ref name="census.gov">[http://factfinder2.census.gov/main.html Factfinder2.census.gov]</ref>

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The [[United States Census Bureau]] estimates that the population of Indiana was 6,537,334 on July 1, 2012, a 0.8% increase since the [[2010 United States Census]].<ref name=PopEstUS>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/totals/2012/index.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Population for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|format=[[comma-separated values|CSV]]|work=2012 Population Estimates|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division|date=December 2012|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> As of the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 6,483,802 people residing in the state.<ref name="CAT"/>

The state's population density was 181.0 persons per square mile, the 16th highest in the United States.<ref name="GeoCensus"/> As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Indiana’s population center is located northwest of Sheridan, in [[Hamilton County, Indiana|Hamilton County]] (+40.149246, -086.259514).<ref name=GeoCensus/><ref>{{cite web| title = 2010 Census Centers of Population by state | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau | url = http://www.census.gov/geo/www/2010census/centerpop2010/CenPop2010_Mean_ST.txt | accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>Over the previous decade, Indiana’s population center has shifted slightly to the northwest. In the 2000 U.S. Census, Indiana's [[center of population]] was located in [[Hamilton County, Indiana|Hamilton County]], in the town of [[Sheridan, Indiana|Sheridan]]. See {{cite web | title=Population and Population Centers by State | publisher=United States Census Bureau | url=http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt | accessdate=~~2006-11-~~November 21, 2006}}</ref>

In 2005, 77.7% of Indiana residents lived in metropolitan counties, 16.5% lived in micropolitan counties and 5.9% lived in non-core counties.<ref>{{cite web| title =Metro and Nonmetro Counties in Indiana| publisher=Rural Policy Research Institute| url =http://www.rupri.org/Forms/Indiana.pdf| accessdate =October 10, 2009~~-10-10~~ }}</ref>

=== Racial and ethnic diversity ===

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* 0.1% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders.<ref name="CAT"/>

[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race made up 6.2% of the population.<ref name="CAT">{{cite web| title =Indiana QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau| publisher=United States Census Bureau| url =http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18000.html| accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012}}</ref> The Hispanic population is Indiana’s fastest growing ethnic minority.<ref name="POP">{{cite web| last =Greninger| first =Howard| title =Vigo County’s population on the rise|work=Tribune-Star| date =May 19, 2007| url =http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_139235811.html| accessdate =~~2009-10-~~October 10, 2009 }}</ref> 28.2% of Indiana's children under the age of 1 belonged to minority groups(note: children born to [[white hispanic]]s are counted as minority group).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2012/06/americas_under_age_1_populatio.html|title=Americans under age 1 now mostly minorities, but not in Ohio: Statistical Snapshot|last=Exner|first=Rich|date=June 3, 2012|work=[[The Plain Dealer]]}}</ref>

=== Age and gender ===

Based on population estimates for 2011, 6.6% of the state's population is under the age of five, 24.5% is under the age of 18, and 13.2% is 65 years of age or older.<ref name="CAT"/> From the 2010 U.S. Census demographic data for Indiana, the median age is 37.0 years.<ref name=AmFacts>{{cite web| title =Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010; 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1) for Indiana | publisher=United States Census Bureau| url =http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18000.html| accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 13, 2012 }}</ref>

=== Ancestry ===

[[German-American|German]] is the largest ancestry reported in Indiana, with 22.7% of the population reporting that ancestry in the Census. Persons citing [[American ancestry|American]] (12.0%) and [[English-American|English]] ancestry (8.9%) are also numerous, as are [[Irish American|Irish]] (10.8%) and [[Poland|Polish]] (3.0%).<ref>{{cite web| title =DP-2. Profile of Selected Social Characteristics: 2000| publisher=United States Census Bureau| url =http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US18&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP2&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-redoLog=false | accessdate =~~2009-10-~~October 17, 2009 }}</ref> Most of those citing American ancestry are actually of [[English-American|English]] descent, but have family that has been in North America for so long, in many cases since the early [[British America|colonial era]], that they identify simply as "American".<ref>{{cite book |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SVoAXh-dNuYC&pg=PA57&dq=Sharing+the+dream:+white+males+in+multicultural+America++english+ancestry&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false |title=Sharing the Dream: White Males in a Multicultural America |first=Dominic J. |last=Pulera |year=2004 |location=New York |publisher=Continuum |isbn=0-8264-1643-8 |page=57 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Reynolds |last=Farley |title=The New Census Question about Ancestry: What Did It Tell Us? |journal=Demography |volume=28 |issue=3 |year=1991 |pages=411–429 |doi=10.2307/2061465 |pmid=1936376 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Stanley |last=Lieberson |first2=Lawrence |last2=Santi |title=The Use of Nativity Data to Estimate Ethnic Characteristics and Patterns |journal=Social Science Research |volume=14 |issue=1 |year=1985 |pages=31–56 [pp. 44–46] |doi=10.1016/0049-089X(85)90011-0 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Stanley |last=Lieberson |first2=Mary C. |last2=Waters |title=Ethnic Groups in Flux: The Changing Ethnic Responses of American Whites |journal=Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science |volume=487 |issue=79 |year=1986 |pages=79–91 [pp. 82–86] |doi=10.1177/0002716286487001004 }}</ref> In the 1980 census 1,776,144 people claimed German ancestry, 1,356,135 claimed English ancestry and 1,017,944 claimed Irish ancestry out of a total population of 4,241,975 making the state 42% German, 32% English and 24% Irish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/files/pc80-s1-10/tab03.pdf |title=Ancestry of the Population by State: 1980 – Table 3 |format=PDF |accessdate=~~2011-12-~~December 10, 2011}}</ref>

=== Population growth and decline ===

Population growth since 1990 has been concentrated in the counties surrounding Indianapolis, with four of the top five fastest-growing counties in that area: [[Hamilton County, Indiana|Hamilton]], [[Hendricks County, Indiana|Hendricks]], [[Johnson County, Indiana|Johnson]], and [[Hancock County, Indiana|Hancock]]. The other county is [[Dearborn County, Indiana|Dearborn County]], which is near [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]]. Hamilton County has also been the fastest growing county in the area consisting of Indiana and its bordering states of [[Illinois]], [[Michigan]], [[Ohio]] and [[Kentucky]], and is the 20th fastest growing county in the country.<ref>{{cite web| last =Rainey| first =Joan P| title =Hamilton and Other Suburban Counties Lead the State in Population Growth| publisher=Indiana University| year =2000| url =http://www.ibrc.indiana.edu/ibr/2000/summer00/01.pdf| accessdate =~~2009-10-~~October 17, 2009 }}</ref>

==== Cities and towns ====

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[[File:Downtown indy from parking garage zoom.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Indianapolis]] is the state capital and largest city in Indiana.]]

With a population of 829,817, [[Indianapolis]] is by far the largest city in Indiana and 12th largest in the United States, according to the 2010 Census. Three other cities in Indiana have a population greater than 100,000: [[Fort Wayne, Indiana|Fort Wayne]] (253,617), [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]] (179,703) and [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]] (101,168).{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} Since 2000, [[Fishers, Indiana|Fishers]] has seen the largest population rise amongst the state’s 20 largest cities with an increase of 100 percent.<ref name="Nevers">{{cite web| last =Nevers| first =Kevin| title =Duneland population growth rate slows a bit in 2007 Census estimates|work=Chesterton Tribune| date =July 11, 2008| url =http://chestertontribune.com/Duneland%20Community%20News/7112%20duneland_population_growth_rate.htm| accessdate =August 5, 2009~~-08-05~~ }}</ref>

[[Hammond, Indiana|Hammond]] and [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]] have seen the largest population declines regarding the top 20 largest cities since 2000, with a decrease of 6.8 and 21.0 percent respectively.<ref name="Nevers"/> Other cities that have seen extensive growth since 2000 are [[Noblesville, Indiana|Noblesville]] (39.4 percent), [[Greenwood, Indiana|Greenwood]] (81 percent), [[Carmel, Indiana|Carmel]] (21.4 percent) and [[Lawrence, Indiana|Lawrence]] (9.3 percent). Meanwhile, [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]] (−4.2 percent), [[Anderson, Indiana|Anderson]] (−4 percent) and [[Muncie, Indiana|Muncie]] (−3.9 percent) are cities that have seen the steepest decline in population in the state.<ref>{{cite press release| title =Indiana sees big gains in population among certain cities and towns| publisher=Indiana University| date =July 10, 2008| url =http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/8512.html| accessdate =~~2009-08-~~August 15, 2009 }}</ref>

Indianapolis has largest population of the state's [[metropolitan area]]s and [[Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas|33rd largest]] in the country.<ref>{{cite web| title =Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas| publisher=[[United States Census]]| url =http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv| accessdate =~~2009-08-~~August 14, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref> The [[Indianapolis metropolitan area]] encompasses [[Marion County, Indiana|Marion County]] and nine surrounding counties in central Indiana.

=== Median household income in Indiana ===

As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Indiana’s median household income was $44,616, ranking it 36th among the United States and the District of Columbia.<ref>{{cite web |title = Overview for Indiana | publisher=Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University Kelley School of Business |date =August 1, 2012~~-08-01~~ |url = http://www.stats.indiana.edu/uspr/a/us_profile_frame.html |accessdate =~~2012-08-~~August 14, 2012}}</ref> In 2005, the median household income for Indiana residents was $43,993. Nearly 498,700 Indiana households had incomes from $50,000 to $74,999, accounting for 20% of all households.<ref name="Justis 2006">{{cite web| last =Justis| first =Rachel M| title =Household Income Varies by Region and Race| publisher=Indiana University| year =2006| url =http://www.ibrc.indiana.edu/ibr/2006/fall/article2.html| accessdate =~~2009-10-~~October 29, 2009 }}</ref>

Hamilton County’s median household income is nearly $35,000 higher than the Indiana average. At $78,932, it ranks seventh in the country among counties with less than 250,000 people. The next highest median incomes in Indiana are also found in the Indianapolis suburbs; Hendricks County has a median of $57,538, followed by Johnson County at $56,251.<ref name="Justis 2006"/>

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===Religion===

Although the largest single religious denomination in the state is Roman Catholic (836,009 members), most of the population are members of various Protestant denominations. The largest Protestant denomination by number of adherents in 2000 was the [[United Methodist Church]] with 288,308.<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/18_2000.asp TheArda.com]</ref> A study by the Graduate Center found that 20 percent are Roman Catholic, 14 percent belong to different [[Baptist]] churches, 10 percent are other Christians, nine percent are [[Methodist]], and six percent are [[Lutheran]]. The study found that 16% of Indiana is affiliated with [[Irreligion|no religion]].<ref>{{cite web | title=American Religious Identification Survey | publisher=[[City University of New York]] | url=http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm | accessdate=~~2006-12-~~December 25, 2006}}{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref>

Indiana is home to the [[St. Meinrad Archabbey]], one of two [[archabbey]]s in the United States and one of 11 in the world. The [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]] has one of its two seminaries in Fort Wayne. Two conservative denominations, the [[Free Methodist Church]] and the [[Wesleyan Church]], have their headquarters in Indianapolis as does the [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Christian Church]].<ref>Bodenhamer, Barrows and Vanderstel, p. 696</ref><ref>Bodenhamer, Barrows and Vanderstel, p. 416</ref>

The [[Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches]] maintains offices and publishing work in [[Winona Lake, Indiana|Winona Lake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LC&p_theme=lc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10307DEBAC918D95&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Forever Young: Lititz pastor retires after 33 years at Grace Brethren|date=June 4, 2004|publisher=''[[Lancaster Newspapers, Inc|Lancaster New Era]]''|accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 15, 2009}} (Registration needed)</ref> [[Huntington, Indiana|Huntington]] serves as the home to the [[Church of the United Brethren in Christ]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FW&s_site=fortwayne&p_multi=FW&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10547EC7A86111BF&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Future of the faith, Area church weighs merger as a way to aid denomination|date=September 22, 2004|work=[[The News-Sentinel]]|accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 15, 2009}} (Registration needed)</ref> [[Anderson, Indiana|Anderson]] is home to the headquarters of the [[Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)|Church of God]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Neff|first=David|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/marchweb-only/113-12.0.html|title=Holiness Without the Legalism|date=March 27, 2006|work=[[Christianity Today]]|accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 15, 2009}}</ref> The headquarters of the [[Missionary Church]] is located in Fort Wayne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FW&s_site=fortwayne&p_multi=FW&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FE07B25E8E7E2E5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Volunteers add to church, They construct buildings for the Missionary Church.|date=October 6, 2003|work=The News-Sentinel|accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 15, 2009}} (Registration needed)</ref>

The [[Friends United Meeting]] of the [[Religious Society of Friends]], the largest branch of American Quakerism, is based in [[Richmond, Indiana|Richmond]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earlham.edu/Q/brochure1/#did_you_know|title=Quakers of Richmond and Wayne County, Indiana|publisher=[[Earlham College]]|accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 15, 2009}}</ref> which also houses the oldest Quaker seminary in the United States, the [[Earlham School of Religion]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Amy Lyles|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7780491|title=The Guts to Keep Going|publisher=[[National Public Radio]]|accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 15, 2009}}</ref> The [[Islamic Society of North America]] is headquartered in [[Plainfield, Indiana|Plainfield]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Associated Press|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-02-02-muslims-obama_N.htm|title=Are American Muslims 'under more scrutiny' with Obama?|work=USA Today|date=February 2, 2009|accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 15, 2009}}</ref>

Indiana has 100,000 Muslims and 17,000 Jews.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}

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[[File:Mike Pence, official portrait, 112th Congress.jpg|thumb|The 50th and incumbent [[Governor of Indiana]] [[Mike Pence]]]]

The [[Governor of Indiana]] serves as the chief executive of the state and has the authority to manage the government as established in the Constitution of Indiana. The governor and the [[Lieutenant Governor of Indiana|lieutenant governor]] are jointly elected to four-year terms, with gubernatorial elections running concurrent with United States presidential elections (1996,2000,2004,2008, etc.).<ref name="ST"/> The governor may not serve more than two consecutive terms. The governor works with the [[Indiana General Assembly]] and the [[Supreme Court of Indiana]] to govern the state and has the authority to adjust the other branches. Special sessions of the General Assembly can be called upon by the governor as well as have the power to select and remove leaders of nearly all state departments, boards and commissions. Other notable powers include calling out the [[Indiana Guard Reserve]] or the [[Indiana National Guard]] in times of emergency or disaster, issuing pardons or commuting the sentence of any criminal offenders except in cases of treason or impeachment and possessing an abundant amount of statutory authority.<ref name="ST">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.in.us/portal/files/WebPageFactsBooklet.pdf|title=Indiana Facts|publisher=State of Indiana|accessdate=August 3, 2009~~-08-03~~}}</ref><ref>Indiana State Chamber of Commerce (2007), p. 10</ref><ref>{{cite web| title =Indiana Constitution Article 5| date =February 25, 1999| publisher=Indiana University| url =http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/inconst/art-5.html|accessdate =August 3, 2009~~-08-03~~ }}</ref> The lieutenant governor serves as the President of the Senate and is responsible for ensuring that the senate rules are acted in accordance with by its constituents. The lieutenant governor can only vote to break ties. If the governor dies in office, becomes permanently incapacitated, resigns or is impeached, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. If both the governor and lieutenant governor positions are unoccupied, the Senate President pro tempore becomes governor.<ref>Indiana State Chamber of Commerce (2007), p. 13</ref>

The Indiana General Assembly is composed of a 50-member [[Indiana Senate|Senate]] and 100-member [[Indiana House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. The Senate is the [[upper house]] of the General Assembly and the House of Representatives is the [[lower house]].<ref name="ST"/> The General Assembly has exclusive legislative authority within the state government. Both the Senate and House of Representatives can introduce legislation, with the exception that the Senate is not authorized to initiate legislation that will affect revenue. Bills are debated and passed separately in each house, but must be passed by both houses before they can be submitted to the Governor.<ref name="For">{{cite web| title =Indiana Constitution Article 4| date =February 25, 1999| publisher=Indiana University| url =http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/inconst/art-4.html|accessdate =August 3, 2009~~-08-03~~ }}</ref> The legislature can nullify a veto from the governor with a majority vote of full membership in the Senate and House of Representatives.<ref name="ST"/> Each law passed by the General Assembly must be used without exception to the entire state. The General Assembly has no authority to create legislation that targets only a particular community.<ref name="For"/><ref>Indiana State Chamber of Commerce (2005), p. 11</ref> The General Assembly can manage the state's judiciary system by arranging the size of the courts and the bounds of their districts. It also can oversee the activities of the executive branch of the state government, has restricted power to regulate the county governments within the state, and has exclusive power to initiate the method to alter the Indiana Constitution.<ref name="For"/><ref>Indiana State Chamber of Commerce (2005), p. 14</ref>

The [[Supreme Court of Indiana|Indiana Supreme Court]] is made up of five judges with a [[Indiana Court of Appeals|Court of Appeals]] composed of 15 judges. The governor selects judges for the supreme and appeal courts from a group of applicants chosen by a special commission. After serving for two years, the judges must acquire the support of the electorate to serve for a 10-year term.<ref name="ST"/> In nearly all cases, the Supreme Court does not have [[original jurisdiction]] and can only hear cases that are petitioned to the court following being heard in lower courts. Local circuit courts are where the majority of cases begin with a trial and the consequence decided by the jury. The Supreme Court does have original and sole jurisdiction in certain specific areas including the practice of law, discipline or disbarment of Judges appointed to the lower state courts, and supervision over the exercise of jurisdiction by the other lower courts of the State.<ref name="Fur">{{cite web| title =Indiana Constitution Article 7| date =February 25, 1999| publisher=Indiana University| url =http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/inconst/art-7.html|accessdate =August 3, 2009~~-08-03~~ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/judiciary/supreme/appellate.html|title=Appellate Process|publisher=State of Indiana|date=February 4, 2009|accessdate=August 3, 2009~~-08-03~~}}{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref>

The state is divided into 92 [[County (United States)|counties]], which are led by a board of county commissioners. 90 counties in Indiana have their own [[circuit court]] with a judge elected for a six-year term. The remaining two counties, Dearborn and Ohio, are combined into one circuit. Many counties operate [[superior court]]s in addition to the circuit court. In densely populated counties where the caseload is traditionally greater, separate courts have been established to solely hear either juvenile, criminal, probate or small claims cases. The establishment, frequency and jurisdiction of these additional courts varies greatly from county to county. There are 85 city and town courts in Indiana municipalities, created by local ordinance, typically handling minor offenses and not considered [[courts of record]]. County officials that are elected to four-year terms include an auditor, recorder, treasurer, sheriff, coroner and clerk of the circuit court. All incorporated cities in Indiana have a mayor and council form of municipal government. Towns are governed by a town council and townships are governed by a township trustee and advisory board.<ref name="ST"/><ref>[http://www.in.gov/judiciary/about/04-trialcourts.html Retrieved October 1, 2011]{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref>

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From 1880 to 1924, a resident of Indiana was included in all but one presidential election. Indiana Representative [[William Hayden English]] was nominated for Vice-President and ran with Winfield Scott Hancock in the [[United States presidential election, 1880|1880 election]].<ref>Gray (1977), p. 23</ref> In 1884, former Indiana Governor [[Thomas A. Hendricks]] was elected Vice-President of the United States. He served until his death on November 25, 1885, under President [[Grover Cleveland]].<ref>Gray (1977), p. 82</ref> In 1888, Indiana Senator [[Benjamin Harrison]] was elected President of the United States and served one term. He remains the only U.S. President from Indiana. Indiana Senator [[Charles W. Fairbanks]] was elected Vice-President in 1904, serving under President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] until 1909.<ref>Gray (1977), p. 118</ref> Fairbanks made another run for Vice-President with [[Charles Evans Hughes]] in 1912, but they both lost to [[Woodrow Wilson]] and Indiana Governor [[Thomas R. Marshall]], who served as Vice-President from 1913 until 1921.<ref>Gray (1977), p. 162</ref> Not until 1988 did another presidential election involved a native of Indiana, when Senator [[Dan Quayle]] was elected Vice-President and served one term with [[George H. W. Bush]].<ref name="FW"/>

Indiana has long been considered to be a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] stronghold,<ref>{{cite news | agency=Associated Press | title=Indiana poll shows tight race with McCain, Obama |publisher=Fox News Channel | url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Oct01/0,4670,Poll2008Indiana,00.html | date=October 1, 2008 | accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 10, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Purnick | first=Joyce | title=The 2006 Campaign: Struggle for the House; In a G.O.P. Stronghold, 3 Districts in Indiana Are Now Battlegrounds |work=The New York Times | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEFDA163FF932A15753C1A9609C8B63 | date=October 21, 2006 | accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 10, 2009}}</ref> particularly in Presidential races, but the [[Cook Partisan Voting Index]] (CPVI) now rates Indiana as only R+5, a smaller Republican edge than is assigned to 20 of the 28 "red" states. Indiana was one of only ten states to support Republican [[Wendell Willkie]] in 1940.<ref name="FW"/> On 14 occasions has the Republican candidate defeated the Democrat by a double digit margin in the state, including six times where a Republican won the state by more than 20%.<ref name="Atlas"/> In 2000 and 2004, [[George W. Bush]] won the state by a wide margin while the election was much closer overall. The state has only supported a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] for president five times since 1900. In 1912, [[Woodrow Wilson]] became the first Democrat to win the state with 43% of the vote. 20 years later, [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] won the state with 55% of the vote over incumbent Republican [[Herbert Hoover]]. Roosevelt won the state again in 1936. In 1964, 56% of voters supported Democrat [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] over Republican [[Barry Goldwater]]. 44 years later, Democrat [[Barack Obama]] narrowly won the state against [[John McCain]] 50% to 49%.<ref>{{cite web | last=McPhee | first=Laura | title=Indiana's historic vote for Obama |work=[[NUVO (newspaper)|NUVO]] | url=http://www.nuvo.net/news/article/indianas-historic-vote-obama | date=November 12, 2008 | accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 10, 2009}}{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref> In the [[2012 US presidential election|following election]] Republican [[Mitt Romney]] won back the state for the Republican party with 54% of the vote over incumbent Obama who won 43%.<ref>[http://www.in.gov/apps/sos/election/general/general2012?page=office&countyID=-1&officeID=36&districtID=-1&candidate= Secretary of State : Elections Division: Election Foundation Wide]</ref>

While only five Democratic presidential nominees have carried Indiana since 1900, 11 Democrats [[List of Governors of Indiana|were elected governor]] during that time. Before [[Mitch Daniels]] became governor in 2005, Democrats had held the office for 16 consecutive years. Indiana elects two senators and nine representatives to Congress. The state has 11 electoral votes in presidential elections.<ref name="Atlas"/> Seven of the [[Indiana's congressional districts|districts]] favor the Republican Party according to the CPVI rankings; there are currently six Republicans serving as representatives and three Democrats. Historically, Republicans have been strongest in the eastern and central portions of the state, while Democrats have been strongest in the northwestern part of the state. Occasionally, certain counties in the southern part of the state will vote Democratic. Marion County, Indiana's most populous county, supported the Republican candidates from 1968 to 2000, before backing the Democrats in the 2004 and 2008 elections. Indiana's second most populous county, Lake County, strongly supports the Democratic party and has not voted for a Republican since 1972.<ref name="Atlas">{{cite web | title=Presidential General Election Map Comparison | publisher=uselectionatlas.org | url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/comparemaps.php?year=2008&fips=18&f=1&off=0&elect=0 | accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 11, 2009}}</ref> In 2005, the Bay Area Center for Voting Research rated the most liberal and conservative cities in the United States on voting statistics in the 2004 presidential election, based on 237 cities with populations of more than 100,000. Five Indiana cities were mentioned in the study. On the liberal side, Gary was ranked second and South Bend came in at 83. Among conservative cities, Fort Wayne was 44th, Evansville was 60th and Indianapolis was 82nd on the list.<ref>{{cite web | last=Modie | first=Neil | title=Where have Seattle's lefties gone? |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] | url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/236320_liberal12.html | date=August 12, 2005 | accessdate=~~2009-08-~~August 11, 2009}}</ref>

===Military installations===

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[[File:2002 IN Proof.png|thumb|150px|An Indiana [[50 State Quarters|State Quarter]].]]

In 2000, Indiana had a work force of 3,084,100.<ref>{{cite web| title =Economic Base| publisher=City of Valparaiso| url =http://www.ci.valparaiso.in.us/planning/ComprehensivePlan/CompPlan/ChapterI.pdf| accessdate =November 2, 2009~~-11-02~~ }}{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref> The total gross state product in 2010 was $275.7 billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=GDP by State|url=http://greyhill.com/gdp-by-state|publisher=Greyhill Advisors|accessdate=September 7, 2011}}</ref> A high percentage of Indiana's income is from manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web | title=Indiana Economy at a Glance | publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | url=http://stats.bls.gov/eag/eag.in.htm | accessdate=~~2007-01-~~January 11, 2007}}</ref> The Calumet region of [[northwest Indiana]] is the largest steel producing area in the U.S. Indiana's other manufactures include pharmaceuticals and medical devices, automobiles, electrical equipment, transportation equipment, chemical products, rubber, petroleum and coal products, and factory machinery.

Despite its reliance on manufacturing, Indiana has been much less affected by declines in traditional [[Rust Belt]] manufactures than many of its neighbors. The explanation appears to be certain factors in the labor market. First, much of the heavy manufacturing, such as industrial machinery and steel, requires highly skilled labor, and firms are often willing to locate where hard-to-train skills already exist. Second, Indiana's labor force is located primarily in medium-sized and smaller cities rather than in very large and expensive metropolises. This makes it possible for firms to offer somewhat lower wages for these skills than would normally be paid. Firms often see in Indiana a chance to obtain higher than average skills at lower than average wages.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Manufacturers in Indiana | publisher=Purdue University Center for Rural Development | date=July 19, 1998}}</ref>

Indiana is home to the international headquarters and research facilities of pharmaceutical company [[Eli Lilly and Company|Eli Lilly]] in Indianapolis, the state's largest corporation, as well as the world headquarters of Mead Johnson Nutritionals in Evansville.<ref>[http://wndu.com/news/112005/news_46007.php WNDU-TV: News Story: Bayer is leaving Elkhart – November 16, 2005]{{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref> Overall, Indiana ranks fifth among all U.S. states in total sales and shipments of pharmaceutical products and second highest in the number of biopharmaceutical related jobs.<ref>{{cite web | title=Economy & Demographics | publisher=Terre Haute Economic Development Co. | url=http://www.terrehauteareaedc.com/econ_industry.htm | accessdate=~~2007-01-~~January 30, 2007}}</ref>

Indiana is located within the U.S. [[Corn Belt]] and [[Grain Belt]]. The state has a feedlot-style system raising corn to fatten hogs and cattle. Along with corn, [[soybeans]] are also a major cash crop. Its proximity to large urban centers, such as [[Indianapolis]] and Chicago, assure that dairying, egg production, and specialty horticulture occur.

Other crops include melons, tomatoes, grapes, mint, popping corn, and tobacco in the southern counties.<ref>{{cite web | title=USDA Crop Profiles | publisher=United States Department of Agriculture | url=http://cipm.ncsu.edu/cropprofiles/cplist.cfm?org=state | accessdate=~~2006-11-~~November 20, 2006 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070223130933/http://cipm.ncsu.edu/cropprofiles/cplist.cfm?org=state  |archivedate = February 23, 2007}}</ref> Most of the original land was not prairie and had to be cleared of deciduous trees. Many parcels of woodland remain and support a furniture-making sector in the southern portion of the state.

In 2011 Indiana was ranked first in the Midwest and sixth in the country for best places to do business according to CEO magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chiefexecutive.net/best-worst-states-for-business |title=Best/Worst States for Business | ChiefExecutive.net | Chief Executive Magazine |publisher=ChiefExecutive.net |date=May 3, 2011 |accessdate=~~2011-12-~~December 10, 2011}}</ref>

===State budget===

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[[Property tax]]es are imposed on both real and personal property in Indiana and are administered by the Department of Local Government Finance. Property is subject to taxation by a variety of taxing units (schools, counties, townships, cities and towns, libraries), making the total tax rate the sum of the tax rates imposed by all taxing units in which a property is located. However, a "circuit breaker" law enacted on March 19, 2008 limits [[property tax]]es to one percent of assessed value for homeowners, two percent for rental properties and farmland and three percent for businesses.

In Fiscal year 2011 Indiana reported one of the largest surpluses among U.S states, with an extra $1.2 billion in its accounts. Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, authorized bonus payments of up to $1,000 for state employees on Friday, July 15, 2011. An employee who “meets expectations” will get $500, those who “exceed expectations” will receive $750 and “outstanding workers” will see an extra $1,000 in their August paychecks<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/17/many-states-celebrate-surpluses-as-congress-strugg/ |title=Many states celebrate surpluses as Congress struggles with debt |work=Washington Times |date=July 17, 2011 |accessdate=~~2011-12-~~December 10, 2011}}</ref>

===Energy===

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Indiana's power production chiefly consists of the consumption of fossil fuels, mainly coal. Indiana has 24 coal power plants, including the largest coal power plant in the United States, [[Gibson Generating Station]], located across the Wabash River from [[Mount Carmel, Illinois]]. Indiana is also home to the coal-fired plant with the highest sulfur dioxide emissions in the United States, the [[R. Gallagher Generating Station|Gallagher]] power plant just west of New Albany.<ref>[http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2007/2007-07-26-05.asp Ens-newswire.com]</ref>

The state has an estimated coal reserves of fifty-seven billion tons; state mining operations produces thirty-five million tons of coal annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://igs.indiana.edu/coal/index.cfm|title=Coal in Indiana|author=Indiana Geological Survey|publisher=[[Purdue University]]|accessdate=~~2010-10-~~October 19, 2010}}</ref> While Indiana has made commitments to increasing use of renewable resources such as wind, hydroelectric, biomass, or solar power, however, progress has been very slow, mainly because of the continued abundance of coal in Southern Indiana. Most of the new plants in the state have been [[coal gasification]] plants. Another source is hydroelectric power.

[[Wind power in Indiana|Wind power]] is now being developed. New estimates in 2006 raised the wind capacity for Indiana from 30 MW at 50 m turbine height to 40,000 MW at 70 m, and to 130,000 MW at 100 m, in 2010, the height of newer turbines.<ref>[http://www.indianacleanpower.org/renewableresources.html Indiana's Renewable Energy Resources] Retrieved August 20, 2008</ref> As of the end of 2011, Indiana has installed 1,340 MW of wind turbines.<ref>[http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_installed_capacity.asp U.S. Installed Wind Capacity]</ref>

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===Airports===

[[Indianapolis International Airport]] serves the greater Indianapolis area and has finished constructing a new passenger terminal. The new airport opened in November 2008 and offers a new midfield passenger terminal, concourses, air traffic control tower, parking garage, and airfield and apron improvements.<ref>{{cite web | title=New Indianapolis Airport | publisher=Indianapolis Airport Authority | url=http://www.newindianapolisairport.com | accessdate=January 6, 2007~~-01-06~~}}</ref>

Other major airports include [[Evansville Regional Airport]], [[Fort Wayne International Airport]] (which houses the [[122d Fighter Wing]] of the [[Air National Guard]]), and [[South Bend Regional Airport]]. A long-standing proposal to turn [[Gary Chicago International Airport]] into Chicago's third major airport received a boost in early 2006 with the approval of $48 million in federal funding over the next ten years.<ref>{{cite web | title=Gary Airpport Gets Millions in Federal Funding | publisher=CBS Channel 2 | url=http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_016180843.html | accessdate=~~2006-10-~~October 18, 2006}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

The [[Terre Haute International Airport]] has no airlines operating out of the facility but is used for private flying. Since 1954, the [[181st Fighter Wing]] of the Indiana [[Air National Guard]] has been stationed at the airport. However, the [[Base Realignment and Closure]] (BRAC) Proposal of 2005 stated that the 181st would lose its fighter mission and [[F-16]] aircraft, leaving the Terre Haute facility as a general-aviation only facility.

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===Ports===

Indiana annually ships over 70 million tons of cargo by water each year, which ranks 14th among all U.S. states. More than half of Indiana's border is water, which includes {{convert|400|mi|km|-1}} of direct access to two major freight transportation arteries: the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway (via Lake Michigan) and the Inland Waterway System (via the Ohio River). The [[Port of Indiana|Ports of Indiana]] manages three major ports which include [[Burns Harbor, Indiana|Burns Harbor]], [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]], and [[Mount Vernon, Indiana|Mount Vernon]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Ports of Indiana Website | url=http://www.portsofindiana.com | accessdate=January 7, 2007~~-01-07~~}}</ref>

In [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]] three public and several private port facilities receive year-round service from five major barge lines operating on the [[Ohio River]]. Evansville has been a [[United States Customs|U.S. Customs Port of Entry]] for more than 125 years. Because of this, it is possible to have international cargo shipped to Evansville in bond. The international cargo can then clear Customs in Evansville rather than a coastal port.

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| publisher=Northern Indiana Center for History

| url= http://www.centerforhistory.org/indiana_history_main3.html

| accessdate= ~~2009-08-~~August 26, 2009 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> However, the plan turned out to be far too idealistic for a pioneer society, as tax money was not accessible for its organization. In the 1840s, [[Caleb Mills]] pressed the need for tax-supported schools, and in 1851 his advice was included in the new state constitution.

Although the growth of the public school system was held up by legal entanglements, many public elementary schools were in use by 1870. Most children in Indiana attend public schools, but nearly 10% attend private schools and [[parochial school]]s. About one-half of all college students in Indiana are enrolled in state-supported four-year schools.

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Indiana has an extensive history with [[auto racing]]. Indianapolis hosts the [[Indianapolis 500]] mile race over [[Memorial Day]] weekend at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] every May. The name of the race is usually shortened to "Indy 500" and also goes by the nickname "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." The race attracts over 250,000 people every year making it the largest single day sporting event in the world. The track also hosts the [[Allstate 400 at the Brickyard]] ([[NASCAR]]) and the [[Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix]] ([[MotoGP]]). From 2000 to 2007, it hosted the [[United States Grand Prix]] ([[Formula One]]). Indiana features the world's largest and most prestigious drag race, the [[NHRA U.S. Nationals|NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals]], held each Labor Day weekend at [[Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis]] in [[Clermont, Indiana]]. Indiana is also host to two major [[hydroplane racing|unlimited hydroplane racing]] power boat race circuits in the major [[H1 Unlimited]] league: [[Thunder on the Ohio]] ([[Evansville, Indiana]]) and the [[Madison Regatta]] ([[Madison, Indiana]]).

{{asof|2013}} Indiana has produced more [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) players per capita than any other state. Muncie has produced the most per capita of any American city, with two other Indiana cities in the top ten.<ref name="deadspin20130617">{{cite web | url=http://deadspin.com/infographics-where-do-pro-basketball-players-come-from-513261549 | title=Infographics: Where Do Pro Basketball Players Come From? | work=Deadspin | date=~~2013-06-~~June 17, 2013 | accessdate=~~2013-06-~~June 18, 2013 | author=Fischer-Baum, Reuben}}</ref> It has a rich basketball heritage that reaches back to the formative years of the sport itself. The [[Indiana Pacers]] of the NBA play their home games at [[Bankers Life Fieldhouse]]; they began play in 1967 in the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) and joined the NBA when the leagues [[ABA-NBA merger|merged]] in 1976. Although [[James Naismith]] developed basketball in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], in 1891, Indiana is where high school basketball was born. In 1925, Naismith visited an Indiana basketball state finals game along with 15,000 screaming fans and later wrote "Basketball really had its origin in Indiana, which remains the center of the sport." The 1986 film ''[[Hoosiers]]'' is inspired by the story of the 1954 Indiana state champions [[1954 Milan High School basketball team|Milan High School]]. Professional basketball player Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana and was raised in French Lick, Indiana. He went on to lead the Boston Celtics to the NBA championship in 1981, 1984, and 1986.<ref>{{cite web|title=Larry Bird Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com|url=http://www.biography.com/people/larry-bird-9213087}}</ref>

Indianapolis is home to the [[Indianapolis Colts]]. The Colts are members of the [[AFC South|South Division]] of the [[American Football Conference]]. The Colts have roots back to 1913 as the [[Dayton Triangles]]. They became an official team after moving to [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland|MD]], in 1953. In 1984, the [[History of the Baltimore Colts|Colts]] [[Baltimore Colts relocation controversy|relocated]] to Indianapolis, leading to an eventual rivalry with the [[Baltimore Ravens]]. After calling the [[RCA Dome]] home for 25 years, the Colts currently play their home games at [[Lucas Oil Stadium]] in Indianapolis. While in Baltimore, the Colts won the [[Super Bowl V|1970 Super Bowl]]. In Indianapolis, the Colts won [[Super Bowl XLI]], bringing the franchise total to two. In recent years the Colts have regularly competed in the NFL playoffs.