Ohio
Ohio became a U.S. state on December 3, 1818 as the 21st state. Ohio’s name derives from the Ohio River, which in Iroquoian means “great water.” The state was first explored by the French in 1669. Ohio became British after the French and Indian Wars.
Ohio was acquired by the U.S. after the Revolution in 1783. In 1788, the first permanent settlement was established at Marietta, capital of the Northwest Territory.
During the Civil War Ohio supported the Union and more soldiers volunteered per capita than any other state.
The Largest cities in Ohio are Columbus and Cleveland.
Notable
The National Professional Football Hall of Fame is in Canton, Ohio.
The Wright brothers developed a practical aircraft in Dayton, Ohio in 1903.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cleveland, OH.
John Lambert of Ohio City made America’s first automobile in 1891.
More than half of the US population is within 500 miles (800 km) of its borders.
Location
Ohio borders Lake Erie lies on the north, Pennsylvania on the east, West Virginia and Kentucky on the southeast and south, Indiana on the west, and Michigan on the northwest. Ohio’s soils are well suited to agriculture, the fertile Central Plains soils contain glacial limestone, and phosphates.
Capital
Columbus
Population as of 2009
11,542,645 Ranked number 7 in the U.S.
Seats in the House of Representatives
18
Electoral College
20
Nick name
Buckeye state
Flower
Scarlet carnation
Bird
Cardinal
Animal
White-tailed Deer
