Ohio is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States.
It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the east, Michigan to the northwest, Lake Erie to the north, Indiana to the west, Kentucky on the south, and West Virginia on the southeast.
As of October 2018, the population of Ohio was estimated to be about 11.7 million people. It is the 7th most populous state in the United States.
Ohio is the 34th largest state in the United States in terms of total area with 116,096 square kilometers (44,825 square miles).
Columbus is the capital of and the most populous city of Ohio. It is the 14th-most populous city in the United States and one of the fastest growing large cities in the nation. Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816.
Ohio’s topography consists of rolling plains for the most part. In the north, Ohio borders Lake Erie. The Lake Erie Plains, part of the Great Lakes Plains, extend southward from the lake into Ohio. The Allegheny Plateau is located in the east. The Central or Till Plains cover the western portion of the state.
With over 480 kilometers (300 miles) of Lake Erie shoreline [photo below] and thousands of kilometers/miles of rivers, Ohio is truly defined by these valuable, and useful waterways.
The state takes its name from the Ohio River. The name originated from the Seneca language word ohiːyo’, meaning “good river”, “great river” or “large creek”.
Campbell Hill at 470 meters (1,550 feet) above sea level, is the highest point of Ohio. The peak is the former home of the Bellefontaine Air Force Station, where the 664th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron maintained a Cold War early warning radar.
Ohio has 8 national park and 74 state parks.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a United States national park that preserves and reclaims the rural landscape along the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland in Northeast Ohio. Surrounded by urban areas, with a high degree of development that includes a dense road network, small towns, and private human-made attractions, Cuyahoga Valley National Park differs markedly from most of the other national parks.
Hocking Hills State Park is a non-contiguous state park in the Hocking Hills region of Hocking County, Ohio, United States; it is contiguous with the Hocking State Forest. Within the park are several spectacular rock formations.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 10 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of Dayton, Ohio. It is is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display. The museum draws about 1 million visitors each year, making it one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Ohio.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, recognizes and archives the history of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers, and other notable figures who have had some major influence on the development of rock and roll. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was established on April 20, 1983, by Atlantic Records founder and chairman Ahmet Ertegun. In 1986, Cleveland was chosen as the Hall of Fame’s permanent home.
Cedar Point amusement park is one of the most popular summer destinations in Ohio. Located near Sandusky on the shores of Lake Erie, Cedar Point has more than 17 world-class roller coasters, several kids’ areas, and live entertainment. Adjacent to the amusement park is the Cedar Point Shores Water Park, with equally thrilling water adventures.
A drive through the rolling landscape of Amish Country on a summer’s day is a wonderful way to escape the city and see a simpler lifestyle at work. Amish buggies ply the twisting roads, and farmers work in the fields. Small communities offer opportunities to stop and pick up everything from household goods, to locally made cheeses, candy, ice cream, produce, and much more.
The history of Ohio includes many thousands of years of human activity. What is currently Ohio was probably first settled in by Paleo-Indian people who lived in the area as early as 13,000 BC.
The first European to arrive in Ohio was French explorer Robert de La Salle in 1669.
Initially colonized by French fur traders, Ohio became a British colonial possession following the French and Indian War in 1754.
The state was admitted to the Union as the 17th state on March 1, 1803.
Ohio is historically known as the “Buckeye State” after its Ohio buckeye trees, and Ohioans are also known as “Buckeyes”.
The first civilian ambulance service in the United States was established by the Commercial Hospital in Cincinnati in 1865.
The first police car was a wagon run by electricity fielded on the streets of Akron, Ohio, in 1899.
The world’s first electric traffic signal is put into place on the corner of Euclid Avenue and East 105th Street in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 5, 1914.
Ohio is the leading producer of greenhouse and nursery plants.