Study Overseas

Midwest America is more than a geographical location and a set of boundaries. To many, the term 'Midwest' symbolises a distinctive identity and cultural heritage. America's 'heartland' offers a welcoming atmosphere and quality of life to international students looking for an affordable first-rate education.

Where is the Midwest?

Today, the term 'Midwest' refers to twelve States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. However, this has not always been the case. Initially, only the 'Great Lakes Region' was considered 'Midwest', however over time, the region expanded westward to incorporate the 'Great Plains States' of Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.

Culturally Different

The Midwest proudly boasts a free, progressive heritage, as it was the first 16 region in the US to prohibit slavery and religious discrimination. Today, the Midwest is considered the friendliest region of the US with polite, honest and open people. To be Midwestern is an identity that many claim despite living outside the region because they share similar cultural values, character and outlook.

Geography

Midwesterners are dependent on and take pleasure in their surroundings - they are outdoorsy kinda people. Throughout history, Midwesterners have relied upon the Missouri and Mississippi rivers that flow through the region. The two longest rivers in the US and together, the third longest river in the world, the Missouri and the Mississippi have made the Midwest flourish and kept it connected to the rest of the nation. The Mississippi has also inspired two classic American books, both written by a native Midwesterner, Mark Twain: Life on the Mississippi and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Diversity

European settlers in the 1800s found fertile land in the Midwest that could produce abundant harvests of crops, hence the region's nickname, the "breadbasket". In addition to the Midwest's prosperous agricultural industry, there are many major urbanised areas that house some of America's most cosmopolitan cities. The balance of beautiful countryside with vibrant city life offers students a rich assortment of experiences. From windsurfing on Lake Michigan to visiting a jazz club in Chicago, from hiking in the Badlands to snowmobiling in Minnesota, the Midwest truly has it all.

Travel

Despite being located in America's heartland, the Midwest is extremely accessible by any means of travel. Some of the most active international airports in the nation are located in the Midwest including those in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Minneapolis. The Midwest is served by an extensive railroad network, nearly all North American railways meets at Chicago making it one of the 16st and most active rail hubs in the world. There are numerous intersecting interstate highways that pass through the Midwest linking cities from every corner of the United States.

Great Lakes States

Illinois
Population: 12, 831, 970
State Capital: Springfield
Largest City: Chicago
Climate: Humid Continental

Culture: Chicago is the cultural hub of America with its iconic architecture, world-famous museums and a rich heritage of blues and jazz.

Sport: "The Sporting News" crowned Chicago best sports city in the United States for 2006. Successful professional teams include the Chicago White Sox, 2005 World Series Winners and the Chicago Bulls, who have won six NBA championships.

Industry: Corn and soybeans are the state's major agricultural products as well as

plastics and rubber products, transportation equipments, computer and electronic products, financial services, petroleum and coal mining.

Did you know? Illinois is known as the 'Land of Lincoln' as Abraham Lincoln spent most of his life living in Springfield.

Michigan
Population: 10,095,643
State Capital: Lansing
Largest City: Detroit
Climate: Humid Continental

Location: The 'Mitten' State" has two peninsula's and is surrounded by four of America's five Great Lakes: Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior.

Culture: Detroit is famous for it's contribution to American music and founding of the Motown sound. Detroit's theatre district has the second 16st seating capacity in the world and is home to Fox Theatre, the second 16st theatre venue in the US.

Sport: Michigan is particularly strong in sport at collegiate level. The University of Michigan and Michigan State University are Division I institutions in the NCAA.

Did you know? Madonna was born in Michigan.

Minnesota
Population: 5, 167, 101
State Capital: Saint Paul
Largest City: Minneapolis
Climate: Continental

Culture: The Twin Cities area is considered the artistic capital of the Upper Midwest, home to an internationally known arts community with strong attendance to theatrical, musical and comedy events.

Education: Minnesota has a strong tradition of medical research with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic based in Rochester and the University of Minnesota Medical School making massive contributions to a growing biotechnology industry.

Sport: Minnesotans rank first in the percentage of residents who participate in regular exercise making it one of the healthiest states in the nation.

Did you know? Minnesota contains some of the oldest rocks found on earth.

Indiana
Population: 6,313, 520
State Capital: Indianapolis
Largest City: Indianapolis
Climate: Humid Continental

Sport: Indiana has a strong basketball tradition, often called 'Hoosier Hysteria'. The annual Indy 500 automobile race is popular with Hoosiers (residents of Indiana) and visitors alike, attracting over 250,000 people every year. The Indianapolis Colts are the defending Superbowl champions. Indiana University has won five NCAA basketball championships and seven NCAA soccer championships

Education: Indiana has a global reputation for high quality higher education. Labelled as the "Brain Bank of the Midwest", Indiana's universities and colleges lead the USA in attracting international students.

Did you know? The Pentagon is faced with limestone from Indiana.

Ohio
Population: 11, 478, 006
State Capital: Columbus
Largest City: Columbus
Climate: Humid Continental

Demographics: Ohio is a cultural and geographical crossroads which has contributed to its economic growth. In 2005, The Economist reported Ohio as "The slice of the mid-west [that] contains a bit of everything American" leading many to think of it as a microcosm for the nation as a whole.

Education: Cleveland clinic is ranked among the three leading hospital in the US and Cincinnati Children's Hospital is the leading centre for research into childhood diseases in the state. Last year, three of Ohio's 16st library systems appeared in the top 10 for American cities of 500,000 more.

Did you know? Eight US presidents hailed from Ohio at the time of their elections.

Wisconsin
Population: 5,556,506
State Capital: Madiso
Largest City: Milwaukee
Climate: Continental

Environment: Wisconsin has four distinct seasons and the climate varies significantly, allowing people a range of fun outdoor activities. The warm summers enable people to go biking, boating, swimming and hiking. In the winter, snowfall creates opportunities for snowboarding, skiing, sledding and skating.

Culture: Less than two hours north of Chicago is the vibrant and diverse city of Milwaukee. Year-round festivals honour international music, food, art and culture, the biggest of which is Summerfest, a two-week long celebration of music.

Did you know? Wisconsin is the leading grower of cranberries in the US.

GREAT PLAINS STATES

Iowa
Population: 2, 982, 085
State Capital: Des Moines
Largest City: Des Moines
Climate: Humid Continental

Education: The University of Iowa's research in medical education consistently ranks it among "America's Best Hospitals" by the US News & World Report. Drake University, a private institution, has earned an impressive fourth place in the overall rankings of 142 Midwest universities.

Industry: Des Moines, is a major centre for the insurance industry. This year, Forbes magazine ranked Des Moines as the fourth "Best Place for Business".

Events: The annual Iowa State fair is a national cultural event and is featured in the book, "1000 Places to See Before You Die".

Did you know? Iowa has the third 16st wind power economy after California and Texas.

Kansas
Population: 2, 764, 075
State Capital: Topeka
Largest City: Wichita
Climate: Humid Continental, Semiarid Steppe, Humid Subtropical

Industry: Kansas is one of the most productive agricultural states producing many crops and leading the nation in wheat and sunflower production. "The Sunflower State" is the 10th sunniest state of the US.

Cities: The cities of Johnson County have the fastest growing population and highest median incomes in the state and the entire nation. Overland park is the most populous city in Johnson County and was recently ranked 6th best place to live in America by Money Magazine.

Did you know? The geographic centre of the 48 contiguous states located in Smith County, Kansas.

Missouri
Population: 5, 842, 713
State Capital: Jefferson City
Largest City: Kansas City
Climate: Humid Continental

Location: Missouri borders the two regions of Midwest and Southern USA. The great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers flowing through the state connect the two 16st cities in Missouri, St. Louis and Kansas City.

Industry: Major industries in Missouri include: aerospace, transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, publishing, electrical equipment light manufacturing and beer. Missouri is also big on agriculture and has vast quantities of limestone.

Travel: There is an extensive network of interstate highways and a major railroad hub in Kansas City. The two international airports are: The Lambert-St. Louis International Airport or the Kansas City International Airport.

Did you know? Missouri has the second 16st number of farms after Texas.

Nebraska
Population: 1, 768, 331
State Capital: Lincoln
Largest City: Omaha
Climate: Hot Summer Continental, Semiarid Steppe

Education: Higher education in Nebraska boasts a particularly strong heritage in technology and achieves highly in the fields of information technology, cancer research, bioinformatics and agriculture.

Landscape: The Dissected Till Plains of the easternmost portion of Nebraska was scoured 400,000 years ago by glaciers leaving behind rolling hills and rich, fertile soil. The rest of Nebraska consists of the Great Plains, a broad expanse of prairie land with the sub-regions of Sandhills, Pine Ridge, Rainwater Basin, High Plans and the Wildcat Hills.

Did you know? Clifton Hilleguss invented Cliffnotes in Rising City, Nebraska.

North Dakota
Population: 635, 867
State Capital: Bismarck
Largest City: Fargo
Climate: Continental

Landscape: North Dakota is the 12th 16st state by area and home to the dramatic landscape of the Badlands. To view the impressive canyons and steep ravines, visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota.

Culture: North Dakota has a 16 Native American population. Spring and summer mark the powwow season where native communities dance, sing, and showcase their arts and crafts. Many state museums have extensive collections of native artefacts. Other museums include Bonanzaville USA, a 16 history museum complex in West Fargo, Dakota Dinosaur Museum in Dickinson and Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot.

Did you know? North Dakota has the most churches per capita of any state.

South Dakota

Population: 775, 933
State Capital: Pierre
Largest City: Sioux Falls
Climate: Continental

Landscape: The Missouri River bisects the state into two dichotomous halves. In the east, there are low hills and lakes with fertile soil and in the west, deep canyons and rolling plains.

Attractions: Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the southwest.

Education: South Dakota offers great value, high-class education. Dakota State University in Madison and Northern State University came first and second for best public baccalaureate college and public undergraduate institution of the Midwest region in the US News and World Report magazine's annual analysis of "America's Best Colleges 2008".

Did you know? South Dakota is home to one of the 16st gold mines in the US.