The corn state of the United States stretches from the banks of the Missouri in the west to the Mississippi - to the east . Its terrain seems like an endless expanse on which there are magnificent corn fields, wide flat hills, rural churches and old barns . Geographically, the state lies between the two main rivers America - Missouri and Mississippi, and smaller rivers and streams pervade its territory in huge numbers . Iowa has a total area of ​​145 thousand sq. Km . km, 88% of which are occupied by dense forests and golden fields . Iowa - a favorite place for I'm filming Hollywood movies in which the action takes place in the almost disappeared rural America today .

The capital and the largest city - Des Moines. It is actually the political, economic and cultural center of the state. Other major cities in the state are Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City, Waterloo.

How to get there

You can fly from Moscow to the main airport of Des Moines from Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo or Vnukovo. Prepare for one or two transplants and choose the most convenient transfer points for you - Berlin, Dusseldorf, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Madrid and a number of other cities. If you are ready to shell out for a flight with one transfer - you are waiting for New York or Houston, but for the comfort will have to overpay thousands of 20 blood. The cost of the ticket varies from 37 thousand rubles. up to 70 thousand, and flight time from 16 hours to two and a half days.

The most convenient way to travel around the state is to take a car for rent. The roads here are mostly straight and level, so traveling on them is a pleasure. By the way, choose and book a car you can still at home, sitting on the couch and c gratefully remembering the creators of the World Wide Web, or right at the airport. One day of travel on a rented car will cost from $ 30. Well, if you decide to take a break from the steering wheel, take the train and enjoy the comfort and views outside.

Climate

Iowa, like almost all of the Midwest, has a continental climate with hot and humid summers and cold and snowy winter. The average July temperature is +24 ° C, the average temperature in January is -7 ° C.

Precipitation falls almost uniformly throughout the state, mostly spring and summer rains. In the spring and summer Iowa is very often subjected to the impacts of elements. On average, there are about fifty lightning days in the state. Iowa is one of the states of the United States that form the so-called Tornado Alley. According to rough estimates in the state, devastating whirlwinds sweep thirty-seven times a year. Therefore, if you decide to come here, do not forget to look at the weather reports and make sure in favorable weather forecasts.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Iowa

For tourists Iowa is a very interesting place . Dozens of relevant companies offer guests a variety of stay programs and acquaintances with the landmark The staff of the state . To go there is where to eat and what to see . In the cities it is primarily museums, exhibition halls, theaters, concert halls, historical monuments and old buildings . But a special pleasure will bring travel to the state reserves and national parks, which in Iowa are many, because they value what is given by nature, and try to save it and, if possible, increase .

Reserves

DeSoto National Nature Reserve - is located in the valley of Missouri in the west of the central Iowa is a heavenly place for I am a migratory waterfowl, primarily geese and ducks. The reserve is spread over 34 square kilometers. km and became the home of more than 30 species of mammals and birds. It should be noted that bald eagles, the national symbol of the USA, winter in these places.

In DeSoto you can observe the life of deer, beavers, coyotes, opossums and other our "smaller brothers". And by special permits, you can even hunt deer, turkeys and pheasants and fish in the lake, along which several boat piers are built.

Nile Smith National Park and Prairie Training Center are motor and walking tours to the bison and moose realms, the magical world of beautiful flowers and grasses of the American prairie . The majestic oak forests surrounding the reserve will make you feel like a hero of an amazing fairy tale and will give an unforgettable impression of traveling along the prairies in the Nile Smith . In the Prairie training center you can get acquainted with the state ecosystem, life of representatives of the local flora and fauna and even to visit the role of forester or gardener and plant something . As you probably understand, such excursions are especially popular with children and those who want to return to childhood .

Park of freakish barrows Effigy Mounds National Monument

@ Effigi-Mounds - one of the largest preserved to the present day and groups of mounds in the United States. Although the prehistoric barrows created by the indigenous population of America are widely distributed in the territories from the Great Plains of the USA to the Atlantic coast, only here there are figured mounds in the form of animals, birds or reptiles

In the visitor center at the park entrance there is a museum exposition with archaeological finds and exhibits representing the local nature, as well as a conference hall and a bookstore where books can be purchased, sacred history of the state . 14 km of hiking trails are laid in the park, various educational programs are developed, you can get to them by appointment, hiking accompanied by local rangers . However, if you decide to stay overnight, you will have to use camping sites in neighboring reserves . There are no campsites in Effigi Mounds, but there are friendly staff who will help you decide on the place of accommodation .

"Monakh city"

Des Moines, originally built as a fort, grew into a big city, where history and modernity, culture and science merged together. It is curious that the name of the city does not fit in any way with its capital status. "Des Moines" in French means "Monks." Accordingly, Des Moines is a "city of monks". Perhaps, it was once, but now there are much more secular here.

Be sure to look at the Iowa State Capitol - this magnificent building built between 1871 and 1886 years, represents, both inside and outside, one of the best examples of architecture of the 19th century. This is the only 5-dome capitol in the US. Next to it is a landscaped area with several interesting monuments. The main one is a monument to soldiers and sailors

Art and science lovers will like the art museum Des Moines Art Center with a collection of paintings, sculptures, the Historical Museum of the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Science Museum of Iowa with various laser shows, models of many advanced achievements of science and technology

If you are attracted to sports, be sure to visit the arena of Wells Fargo, where there are various competitions, concerts and the auto track Iowa Speedway that is located 30 miles east of Des Moines in Newton

Well, and for those who value communication with nature, Pappajohn Sculpture Park is open, which, incidentally, in addition to the flora, fancifully decorated with the creations of "the hands of men" - dozens of original sculptures. Do not forget to feed the animals at the local Zoo Blank Park Zoo and enjoy the fragrance of flowers in the Des Moines Botanical Center.

All prices are for June 2013