The State of Indiana is a U.S. state, the 19th admitted to the Union. It is located in the Great Lakes Region, and with approximately 6.3 million residents, is ranked 16th in population and 17th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area, and is the smallest state in the continental US west of the Appalachian Mountains. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis, the largest of any state capital east of the Mississippi River.
Indiana has several metropolitan areas with populations greater than 100,000 as well as a number of smaller industrial cities and small towns. It is home to several major sports teams and athletic events including the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, the NBA's Indiana Pacers, the Indianapolis 500 motorsports race (which is the largest single-day sporting event in the world).
Residents of Indiana are known as Hoosiers, but the origin of the term is unknown. Many explanations are given, including the humorous ones of James Whitcomb Riley stating that Indiana pioneers would yell out "Who's There" in the wilderness or "Who's Ear?" after a brawl. The state's name means "Land of the Indians", or simply "Indian Land". This name dates back to at least the 1768 and was first used by Congress when the Indiana Territory was incorporated in 1800, before which it had been part of the Northwest Territory.
Prior to this, Indiana had been inhabited by varying cultures of indigenous peoples and historic Native Americans for thousands of years. Angel Mounds State Historic Site, one of the best preserved ancient earthwork mounds sites in the United States, can be found in Southwestern Indiana near Evansville.
With a total area of 36,418 square miles (94,320 km2), Indiana ranks as the 38th largest state in size.[32] The state has a maximum dimension north to south of 250 miles (400 km) and a maximum east to west dimension of 145 miles (233 km).[33] The state is bordered on the north by Michigan, on the east by Ohio and on the west by Illinois.[34] The Ohio River separates Indiana from Kentucky on the southern border.[35] Indiana is one of eight states that make up the Great Lakes region.[36] The state includes two natural regions of the United States, the Central Lowland and the Interior Low Plateau.[37] The average altitude of Indiana is about 760 feet (230 m) above sea level.[38] The highest point in the state is Hoosier Hill, which is 1,257 feet (383 m) above sea level.[39] Only 2,850 square miles (7,400 km2) have an altitude greater than 1,000 feet (300 m) and this area is enclosed within 14 counties. About 4,700 square miles (12,000 km2) have an elevation of less than 500 feet (150 m).