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Des Moines Iowa
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The state's capital city is bisected by the Des Moines
River. Start your visit at the gold-domed state capitol,
which contains elaborate wood trim and multicolored
marble. The nearby State of Iowa Historical Building
contains exhibits related to the state's development,
including a Conestoga wagon, examples of Indian beadwork
and crafts from the Amana community. One must-see is the
striking Des Moines Arts Center. Architects Eero
Saarinen, I. M. Pei and Richard Meier each designed a
section of this impressive art museum, which houses a
collection of American and European masterpieces and
modern sculpture. The Des Moines Botanical Center
displays a rich collection of exotic plants under a
75-ft/23-m dome, and the Blank Park Zoo affords visitors
an up-close-and-personal encounter with the residents in
walk-through, natural-habitat exhibits.
- Founded: 1843 (incorporated, 1851;
chartered 1857)
- Head Official: Mayor Frank Cownie (since
2004)
- City Population
- 1980: 191,000
- 1990: 193,189
- 2000: 198,682
- 2003 estimate: 196,093
- Percent change, 1990–2000: 2.8%
- U.S. rank in 1980: 74th
- U.S. rank in 1990: 80th
- U.S. rank in 2000: 106th (State rank:
1st)
- Metropolitan Area Population
- 1980: 368,000
- 1990: 392,928
- 2000: 456,022
- Percent change, 1990–2000: 16.1%
- U.S. rank in 1980: 86th
- U.S. rank in 1990: Not reported
- U.S. rank in 2000: 91st
- Area: 76 square miles (2000)
- Elevation: 838 feet above sea level
- Average Annual Temperature: 49.7° F
- Average Annual Precipitation: 33.12
inches of rain, 33.3 inches of snow
- Major Economic Sectors: Services; trade;
finance, insurance, and real estate; government;
manufacturing
- Unemployment Rate: 5.1% (March 2005)
- Per Capita Income: $19,467 (1999)
- 2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 13,776
- Major Colleges and Universities: Drake
University, Grand View College, Des Moines
University
- Daily Newspaper: The Des Moines
Register
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