Indiana Cities, Rivers and Lakes
According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, the geography of Indiana is quite diverse. Located in the Midwest, Indiana is bordered by Michigan to the north, Ohio to the east, and Kentucky and Illinois to the south. The state has a total area of 36,418 square miles and is divided into 92 counties. The northernmost portion of Indiana lies in the Great Lakes region, while the southernmost portion is part of the Ohio River Valley. To the west lies an area known as the Central Plains.
Indiana’s terrain is relatively flat with some rolling hills and low mountains in its southern tip near Evansville. The highest elevation point in Indiana is Hoosier Hill at 1,257 feet above sea level located in Wayne County. The state features several large bodies of water including Lake Michigan on its northern border and Lake Monroe on its southern border. Other notable lakes include Lake Wawasee, Lake Tippecanoe, and Patoka Lake.
Indiana also has many rivers running through it including Wabash River which forms part of its western border with Illinois; White River which flows through Indianapolis; and East Fork White River which runs through Columbus before entering into Ohio. Other major rivers include Maumee River, Tippecanoe River, Kankakee River, St Joseph River and Muscatatuck River among many others.
The state also features several nature preserves such as Chain O’Lakes State Park located near Albion; Brown County State Park in Nashville; Clifty Falls State Park near Madison; Harmonie State Park near New Harmony; Pokagon State Park located near Angola; Shades State Park at Waveland; Turkey Run State Park located near Marshall; Versailles State Park at Versailles and Whitewater Memorial State Park at Liberty among many others. These parks are home to several species of animals like raccoons, deer, foxes, coyotes as well as various species of birds such as bald eagles and wild turkeys among others.
Cities
Indiana is home to numerous cities, each with its own unique charm. According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, Indianapolis is the most populous city in the state and is known for its vibrant downtown area, which features a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions. The city also has a strong cultural scene, with several museums, theaters, and art galleries. Fort Wayne is another major city in Indiana and it has many family-friendly attractions such as the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. The city also has a lively nightlife scene with plenty of bars and clubs to explore. Additionally, South Bend is located in northern Indiana on the St. Joseph River. This city offers visitors plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking trails along the river and golf courses nestled around its scenic landscape. South Bend also has an abundance of cultural attractions such as its National Museum of Art and History Center.
Rivers
The Wabash River is the longest river in Indiana and is the state’s official river. It begins in western Ohio and flows through the Hoosier state for a total of 463 miles, emptying into the Ohio River near Mt. Vernon, Indiana. The Wabash is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, which it joins just south of St. Louis, Missouri. Along its course, it passes through several cities including Fort Wayne, Lafayette and Terre Haute. The Wabash also forms part of the border between Indiana and Illinois.
The White River is another major waterway in Indiana that flows for nearly 400 miles from its source in southern Indiana to the mouth at Lake Michigan near Chicago. The White River runs through Indianapolis and passes by several small towns before joining with other rivers to form the Wabash-White-Maumee triangle at Logansport. This triangle is an important habitat for aquatic life and home to a variety of fish species including bass, walleye, catfish and carp. Further downstream, it passes through Muncie before finally joining with Lake Michigan at Hammond/Gary area near Chicago.
The Kankakee River runs for about 135 miles from its source in LaPorte County to where it empties into the Illinois River near Momence, Illinois. Along its course it passes by several small towns such as North Judson and Knox before entering Illinois where it becomes part of a larger watershed system known as Grand Kankakee Marsh that includes parts of both states as well as Wisconsin. The Kankakee supports a wide variety of wildlife species including fish such as bass and bluegill along with turtles and birds like herons and egrets that frequent its banks during certain times of year.
Lakes
Indiana is known for its abundance of lakes, with more than 1,000 bodies of water across the state. From natural lakes to man-made reservoirs, each lake has its own unique characteristics. Some of the more popular lakes include Lake Michigan, Lake Wawasee, and Monroe Lake.
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes and is located along Indiana’s northern border. It is popular among boaters and fishermen due to its wide variety of fish species including walleye, salmon, and trout. It also offers a great deal of recreational activities such as swimming and sailing.
Lake Wawasee is located in Kosciusko County in northern Indiana. This lake is known for its crystal clear water and scenic shoreline dotted with cottages and resorts. The lake covers approximately 3,200 acres making it one of the largest natural lakes in Indiana. It’s also home to a variety of fish species including bass, panfish, catfish and carp which makes it a popular destination for anglers.
Monroe Lake is located in south central Indiana near Bloomington and covers 11,750 acres making it the largest lake entirely within Indiana’s boundaries. The lake has become a popular recreation area offering fishing, camping, swimming and boating opportunities. Boaters can explore more than 20 miles of shoreline while anglers can try their luck at catching largemouth bass or bluegill from Monroe Lake’s waters.