Indiana

Indiana, one of the United States of North America, situated between Lake Michigan and the Ohio river, which forms its southern boundary. Its eastern and western limits are represented pretty closely by the meridians 84° 49' and 88° 2' west longitude. The length is 276 miles, the breadth about 145 miles, and the area 33,809 square miles. The surface generally consists of an undulating table-land, having a mean elevation of 735 feet. above sea-level, and sloping slightly to south-west. There are no mountains, and the diversities of level are mainly produced by the numerous rivers, of which the Ohio, the Wabash, the two branches of the White River, and the Mauenee are the chief. Towards the north open prairies are the prevailing feature, but the southern portion of the state was originally covered with dense forests. Coal is very abundant, but not of uniformly good quality, and building-stone, fire-clay, and kaolin are also found in large quantities. As elsewhere, the carboniferous strata contain caves, that of Wyandotte being remarkable for its size. The soil is adapted to the growth of wheat and other cereals, maize, fruits, and vegetables. Immense numbers of cattle, sheep, horses, and swine are bred in the pasture-lands and forests, and honey is an important product. Manufactures and trade have developed enormously during the last fifty years, and, besides the great main lines traversing the state from east to west, a network of nearly 5,000 miles of railway spreads over the entire surface. The educational system is admirable, and more than 70 per cent. of the population under twenty-one find place in the schools. The State University is at Bloomington, and Normal School at Terre Haute, and the Agricultural College at Lafayette. Indianapolis is the capital, and other important towns are Evansville, Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, New Albany, and Lafayette.