include motor vehicles and parts,
engines, steel, electronic equipment,
chemicals, and musical instruments.
Other important areas of the economy
are finance, government operations, and
service-oriented businesses. Indiana’s
farms yield corn, soybeans, hogs, and
dairy products.
History
The first people to live in the area were
prehistoric Native Americans. Archaeologists
have found remains of these
people at Angel Mounds, a site in southwestern
Indiana. The major tribes living
in the region when Europeans arrived
included the Miami, the Potawatomi,
and the Delaware (or Lenni Lenape).
In 1679 the French explorer Sieur de La
Salle became the first European to enter
the area. France later claimed the region
but in 1763 turned over the territory to
Great Britain. The United States
acquired the land at the close of the
American Revolution in 1783.
Fear of Indian attacks kept settlers from
the region for many years. After the
Indiana Territory was created in 1800,
its first governor, William Henry Harrison,
did much to open the land for
settlement. In 1811 he defeated a group
of Indians at the battle of Tippecanoe.
Indiana became a state in 1816. Industry
began to grow in the state during the
CivilWar. In the 1900s manufacturing
became more important to the economy
than agriculture. In the early 21st century,
it continued to lead Indiana’s
economy.
..More to explore
Harrison,William Henry • Indianapolis
Colorful fall foliage attracts visitors to Brown County State Park in Nashville, Indiana.
Facts About
INDIANA
Flag
Population
(2000 census),
6,080,485—
rank, 14th state;
(2008 estimate)
6,376,792—
rank, 16th state
Capital
Indianapolis
Area
36,418 sq mi
(94,321 sq km)—
rank, 38th state
Statehood
December 11,
1816
Motto
The Crossroads of
America
State bird
Cardinal
State flower
Peony
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Indiana 127
Indianapolis
Population
(2000 census),
city, 791,926;
(2007 estimate)
795,458
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S.
state of Indiana. The city lies on the
White River. It is famous for hosting a
yearly sports event—the Indianapolis
500 car race. The race brings thousands
of visitors to the city each May.
Indianapolis is a center of road, rail,
and air transportation. Farmers from
the area sell grain in the city. It is also a
center of business, banking, and
industry. Factories in Indianapolis make
medicines, machinery, cars, telephones,
and other products. There are also
several universities.
In 1820 the government of Indiana
chose a site in the center of the state to
be the new capital. Indianapolis was
built there. It became the official state
capital in 1825.
A racetrack called the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway was built in the early
1900s. The first Indianapolis 500 race
was held there in 1911. Today the city is
also home to professional basketball and
football teams.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
opened in 1925. It has become the largest
museum for children in the world.
..More to explore
Indiana
Indian Ocean
Long before the larger Atlantic and
Pacific oceans had been well explored,
the Indian Ocean was a bustling region
of travel and trade. More than 2,000
years ago, traders sailed the ocean to
exchange goods between India, Africa,
and Arabia.
Physical Features
The Indian Ocean is surrounded by
four continents: Asia to the north,
Antarctica to the south, Africa to the
west, and Australia to the east. The
Indian Ocean is the third largest of
Earth’s oceans. Its total area measures
about 28,360,000 square miles
(73,440,000 square kilometers).
The largest island in the Indian Ocean is
Madagascar, which lies off the east coast
of Africa. Madagascar and some of the
128 Indianapolis BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
other islands in the ocean were once
attached to a continent. Volcanoes
formed other islands, including Sumatra
(a part of Indonesia). Some of the
ocean’s islands, such as those in
Maldives, are coral atolls. These are ribbons
of coral reef that formed around
the tops of underwater volcanoes.
Climate
Much of the Indian Ocean lies within
the tropical and temperate zones. Temperatures
are mild to hot.Winds called
monsoons also affect the climate. Monsoons
change direction according to the
season. From October through April the
winter monsoon blows from the northeast.
It brings rain to Indonesia and Australia.
From May to September the
summer monsoon blows from the
southwest. It brings rain to South Asia.
Destructive storms known as cyclones
often form over the Indian Ocean.
Cyclones generally move toward shore in
a westward direction.
Economy
The Indian Ocean has played a significant
role in shipping and trade for many
years. The strong monsoon winds made
ancient trade routes possible. The northeast
monsoon carried traders from India
and China to Arabia and Africa. The
southwest monsoon carried traders in
the opposite direction. The Indians and
Chinese exchanged spices, silk, and
gemstones for coffee, ivory, salt, and
gold from Arabs and Africans.
Trade along the shipping lanes of the
ocean continues today. Petroleum, or
oil, and oil products now make up
much of the trade. The ocean contains
valuable reserves of oil. It also provides
