Capital Des Moines Became a State December 29,1846 (29th) Location midwestern United States Area 56,272 sq. miles (26th) Population 2,926,324 (30th) Major Cities Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Souix City Products hogs, corn, soybeans, oats, cattle, eggs, dairy products, ethanol Climate humid, continental climate, extremes of both hot and cold Yearly Precipitation averages 34 inches Professional Sports Teams no professional sports teams Major Waterways Mississippi River, Spirit Kale, West Okoboji Lake, East Okoboji Lake Most Famous Citizens Buffalo Bill (hunter, entertainer, Pony Express rider) Johnny Carson (comedian) Herbert Hoover (31st President of the United States) John Wayne (actor) Meredith Wilson (playwright and composer)