Iowa, like most of the Midwest, has a humid continental climate throughout the state with extremes of both heat and cold. The average annual temperature at Des Moines is 10 C; for some locations in the north the figure is under 7 C, while Keokuk, on the Mississippi River, averages 11 C. Winters are brisk and snowfall is common.

English is the most common language used in Iowa, used by 94% of the population. William Labov and colleagues, in the monumental Atlas of North American English found that the English spoken in Iowa divides into two large linguistic regions.

The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents.

http://www.united-states.visahq.com

As of 2008, Iowa has an estimated population of 3, 002, 555, which is an increase of about 19, 000 people or 0.6%, from the prior year and an increase of 76, 000 or 2.6%, since the year 2000. This is the first time the state has topped the three million mark in population.

Iowa City was the capitol when Iowa became a state in 1846. It was moved to Des Moines in 1857.