Capital: Columbus

Governor: Bob Taft, R (to Jan. 2003)

Lieut. Governor: Maureen O'Connor, R (to Jan. 2003)

Senators: Mike DeWine, R (to Jan. 2007); George V. Voinovich, R (to Jan. 2005)

Secy. of State: J. Kenneth Blackwell, R (to Jan. 2003)

Auditor: Jim Petro, R (to Jan. 2003)

Treasurer: Joseph T. Deters, R (to Jan. 2003)

Atty. General: Betty D. Montgomery, R (to Jan. 2003)

Entered Union (rank): March 1, 1803 (17)

Present constitution adopted: 1851

Motto: With God all things are possible

State Symbols:

Ohio - A Snapshot of America
George Voinovich, Senator

First explored for France by Monsieur de la Salle in 1669, the Ohio region became British property after the French and Indian Wars. Ohio was acquired by the U.S. after the Revolutionary War in 1783. In 1788, the first permanent settlement was established at Marietta, capital of the Northwest Territory.

The 1790s saw severe fighting with the Indians in Ohio; a major battle was won by Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in 1794. In the War of 1812, Commodore Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie on Sept. 10, 1813.

Ohio is one of the nation's industrial leaders, ranking third in the value of manufactured products. Important manufacturing centers are located in or near Ohio's major cities. Akron is known for rubber; Canton for roller bearings; Cincinnati for jet engines and machine tools; Cleveland for auto assembly and parts, refining, and steel; Dayton for office machines, refrigeration, and heating and auto equipment; Youngstown and Steubenville for steel; and Toledo for glass and auto parts.

The state's fertile soil produces soybeans, corn, oats, grapes, and clover. More than half of Ohio's farm receipts come from dairy farming and sheep and hog raising. Ohio is the top state in lime production and among the leaders in coal, clay, salt, sand, and gravel. Petroleum, gypsum, cement, and natural gas are also important.

Tourism is a valuable revenue producer, bringing in $9.9 billion in 1996, and ranking 7th among the 50 states. Attractions include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Indian burial grounds at Mound City Group National Monument, Perry's Victory International Peace Memorial, the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Canton, and the homes of presidents Grant, Taft, Hayes, Harding, and Garfield.

Nickname: Buckeye State

Origin of name: From an Iroquoian word meaning "great river"

10 largest cities (1999 est.): Columbus, 671,247; Cleveland, 501,662; Cincinnati, 330,914; Toledo, 307,946; Akron, 211,822; Dayton, 169,338; Youngstown, 82,757; Parma, 81,207; Canton, 78,582; Lorain, 67,377

Land area: 40,953 sq mi. (106,067 sq km)

Geographic center: In Delaware Co., 25 mi. NNE of Columbus

Number of counties: 88

Largest county by population and area: Cuyahoga, 1,371,717 (1999 est.); Ross, 688 sq mi.

State forests: 19 (172,744 ac.)

State parks: 71 (198,027 ac.)

Residents: Ohioan

1999 resident population est.: 11,256,654

1990 resident census population (rank): 10,847,115 (7). Male: 5,226,340; Female: 5,620,775. White: 9,521,756 (87.8%); Black: 1,154,826 (10.6%); American Indian: 20,358 (0.2%); Asian: 91,179 (0.8%); Other race: 58,996 (0.5%); Hispanic: 139,696 (1.3%). 1990 percent population under 18: 25.8; 65 and over: 13.0; median age: 33.3.