Iowa could have been named the Land Between Rivers. The Mississippi River forms all of Iowa’s eastern boundary, separating it from Wisconsin and Illinois. On the west, the Missouri River and its tributary, the Big Sioux, separate Iowa from South Dakota and Nebraska. Iowa is bordered on the north by Minnesota, on the south by Missouri.
Early Iowans found prairie grasses growing as tall as six feet. Can you imagine being lost in a prairie over your head? Today, only a few patches of native prairie grasses grow along railroads and in state preserves.
You can guess what Iowa’s most important crop is from the nicknames Corn State and Land Where the Tall Corn Grows. About 95% of Iowa is now farmed. Seen from the air, it is a patchwork of rectangular fields of corn and other crops, with occasional pastures dotted with livestock.
Squiggly lines of hills and bluffs rising from low river valleys are clothed by natural woodlands. Trees have been planted for shelter near almost all farm buildings. The highest point—1,670 feet—is in the northwestern corner of the state. From here, the land gently rolls downward to the east and south.
Every four years, Iowa holds the first presidential caucus, a gathering of voters to select delegates to the state convention. Along with the New Hampshire primary a week later, it has become the starting gun for choosing the two major-party candidates for president. Thus, Iowans can take much of the credit—or blame—for the election (or selection) of many presidents, from George W. Bush to Bill Clinton.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
