Indiana, situated in the Midwest, is known as the 'Crossroads of
America', with multiple highways intersecting within its borders. This makes it easy to travel through the state's scenic stretches of rural land. In the north, Indiana borders the tip of
Lake Michigan, and the peaceful
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses sandy beaches and expanses of wildflowers. Visitors might then explore the lanes of the Amish country in the northeast, wander through the antique alleys of Wayne County, see the historic covered bridges of
Parke County or drive the picturesque
Ohio River byway in the south.
Perhaps because
of its long history of settlers and their clashes with Native Americans, or its strength in corn and soybean production, the state's name tends to conjure images of endless farmland and the pastoral lifestyle. In fact, the nickname for Indiana residents, '
Hoosiers', may derive from the pioneers' shout of 'Who's here?' when travelers knocked on remote cabin doors. The origin remains a subject of debate, but Hoosiers are quite proud of the nickname regardless.
The Hoosier state, however, is not without action. Indiana is a powerhouse in the sports world. It is home to the
Indy 500, one of the world's premier racing events, and to the
Indianapolis Colts, one of the most competitive teams in the
NFL. And, of course there is Indiana basketball, immortalized in the film 'Hoosiers', which approaches a religion. The state has a professional
NBA team, the
Indiana Pacers, but Hoosiers are equally enthusiastic about college basketball, including the
Indiana University team (called what else? The Hoosiers), as well as high school basketball. In education, too, Indiana is at the forefront. Top institutions like the
University of Notre Dame,
Purdue University and
DePauw University, and of course their sports teams, are located here.
