Indiana is a US state located in the Midwest of the country. Indiana has a rich history of formation and development. At the moment, it is one of the most industrially developed territories in the United States of America. In everyday life, Indiana is called the "state of the Hoosiers" (big man).
Early history of the state
Many centuries before the first Europeans set foot on American soil, the territory of what is now the state of Indiana was inhabited by many different Indian tribes, among which the Indians belonging to the Mississippian culture were the most numerous. They erected high mounds, on the flat tops of which they organized their settlements. Some of these structures are still intact today.
The successors of the Indians who erected the mounds were such tribes as Miami, Shawnee, Weah. They developed these lands until the Iroquois came and drove them out in bloody skirmishes.
Europe in the struggle for American lands
The beginning of the European history of the lands of Indiana falls on the middle of the 17th century, when the explorer Rene De La Salle first set foot onAmerican lands and brought after him the French, who started selling weapons to the Indians for furs. In the 18th century, this territory was called New France, which also included the area of \u200b\u200bthe current state of Ohio. However, in 1761, Great Britain began the struggle for these territories. The British managed to win back the right to land in the northeastern part of America, and already in 1763 Indiana began to belong to them.
But the Indians, who actively supported the French, were extremely unhappy with this development of the situation and continued their resistance to the British, which resulted in a whole war initiated by the Indian leader Pontiac. The war lasted for several years, and despite the predictable defeat of the Indian tribes, the British seriously had to make room and limit their claims to these lands.
In the second half of the 18th century, a province called Quebec was created, which included Indiana and a number of lands of other future states of America. Clashes with the Indians continued and were of an increasingly threatening character. The first US president, George Washington, involved a significant number of army soldiers in the confrontation, but American troops suffered more and more serious losses. And only by the end of the century, peace was concluded between the Americans and the Indians with the recognition of American power.
After the northwestern part of the developed lands received the status of a state and the name "United States of America", the territories of the states of Ohio, Michigan and others began to stand out. This is how the state of Indiana, whichpredominantly inhabited by natives, while the European population was still in the minority. Headed by William Harrison, in the future - one of the presidents of the United States.
The state of Indiana, whose cities in turn received the status of the capital, is distinguished by a dynamic and highly controversial history of formation. The start laid by the first governor with such a big name turned out to be promising in terms of both economic and political development. Since 1985, the capital of the state of Indiana is the city of Indianapolis, located in the heart of the Hoosier lands.
The economic rise of Indiana
The next decades were marked by political disputes about the abolition of slavery in the state, the war with Great Britain and a number of Indian tribes that supported the British troops, the laying of trade routes and the railway, the civil war and other events that had a direct and indirect impact on development state. Oil and gas fields have made Indiana a center of manufacturing, in particular the automobile industry. During the First World War, it was in Indiana that the uninterrupted production of military equipment and ammunition was established, which became extremely in demand. To this day, engineering, pharmaceuticals and metallurgy remain the most serious advantages of the state of Indiana, allowing it to remain one of the leaders in industrial terms.
Currently, the state has a population of more than six and a half million people. Indianapolis remains the largest city, home toabout 1.2 million people.
Indiana Natural Features
Indiana is a state that has a favorable location. Despite its modest territory (about 95 square kilometers), the state lives in two different time zones, and also combines flat and ravine areas, and in the north it stretches along the coast of Lake Michigan, one of the largest lakes in the country. The largest river, with a length of more than eight hundred kilometers, is a tributary of the Ohio River called the Wabash. The people of Indiana are very proud of the river and consider it a symbol of the state. Rich in various representatives of flora and fauna, the Hoosier National Forest Reserve is also a source of pride and admiration for the locals. Many rightly believe that Indiana is a state of amazingly diverse nature, thousands of large and small lakes and reserves. The state has a continental climate, rather cold winters and hot summers. Distance from tornado-prone areas makes Indiana even more attractive to live in.
Lighthouses for tourists
Despite a rather ordinary, "non-tourist" climate, Indiana - the "big state" - annually attracts a huge number of guests. As the birthplace of car racing (it was here that the first largest circuit was built in 1909), Indiana every year brings together both US residents and tourists from abroad who want to join such a large-scale event at traditional rallies.
National reserves where you can see real wolves living in packs in amazing proximity to people, amazingamazing scenery along the coast of Lake Michigan - beacons for visitors.
However, the most important attraction of the state remains the cultural heritage called Aingle Mounds - ancient mounds topped with a flat surface, which were erected in the 12th century by the Mississippi Indians living in these territories. Many years ago, these mounds were recognized as historical monuments, and to this day they attract a large number of people who want to see such an ancient example of Indian life.
