Indiana, state, United States: Geography

Northern Indiana is a glaciated lake area, separated by the Wabash River from the central agricultural plain, which is rich with deep glacial drift. The southern portion of the state is a succession of bottomlands interspersed with knolls and ridges, gorges and valleys. Limestone caves, such as the big Wyandotte Cave, and mineral springs, as at French Lick and West Baden Springs, are found there. The unglaciated soil is shallow in S Indiana, and the cutting of timber has caused erosion, but there is still extensive farming.

The capital and largest city is Indianapolis, in the central part of the state. Indiana Dunes national and state parks on Lake Michigan are noted for their beautiful shifting sand dunes. The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is in S Indiana. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the site of the famous 500-mi (800-km) auto race, held annually.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Industrialization and the Labor Movement
• The Civil War and Its Aftermath
• Indiana Territory and Statehood
• From the Mound Builders to Tippecanoe
• Government, Politics, and Higher Education
• Economy
• Geography
• Facts and Figures

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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