Ohio was the 17th U.S. state to join the Union, doing so on 19 February 1803, when the U.S. Congress accepted the notice from the territory's constitutional convention. Due to changes in practice over time, there is a common misperception that Ohio was not properly admitted to the Union until 150 years later.

The history of Ohio, however, began much earlier, with the arrival of Native Americans in the region.

Area:  44,828 square miles (Ohio is the 34th largest state in the USA)

Capitol:  Columbus

Metros:  Akron, Canton/Massillon, Cincinnati/Middletown (Greater Cincinnati), Cleveland/Elyria/Mentor (Greater Cleveland), Columbus, Dayton, Lima, Mansfield, Sandusky, Springfield, Toledo (Greater Toledo), & Youngstown/Warren/Boardman

Name Origin:  Ohio derives from the Iroquois Indian word meaning "good river" or "large river."

Regions:  Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau, Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, Glacial till plains, Lake Erie, Lake Erie Islands, Black Swamp, Miami Valley, Western Reserve, & Northwest Ohio.

Statehood:  As Ohio's population numbered 45,000 in December 1801, Congress determined that the population was growing rapidly and Ohio could begin the path to statehood with the assumption that it would exceed 60,000 residents by the time it would become a state. In 1802, Congress passed the Enabling Act of 1802 that outlined the process for Ohio to seek statehood. The residents convened a constitutional convention and submitted a constitution to Congress. In 1953 it was decided to make March 1, 1803 the official date of Ohio's admittance into the Union.

State Bird:  Cardinal

State Beverage:  Tomato Juice

State Flag:  The official state flag of Ohio, called the Ohio burgee, was adopted in 1902. John Eisemann designed this flag; it was based upon the pennant used by the Ohio cavalry between 1862 and 1865. This is the only American state flag that is not a rectangle. The 13 stars near the circle represent the original 13 states in the USA; the 4 extra stars near the peak of the triangle symbolize the fact that Ohio was the 17th state admitted to the union. The blue triangle represents Ohio's hill country. The white "O" may stand for Ohio (but it isn't certain).

State Flower:  Scarlet Carnation

State Insect:  Ladybug

State Nickname:  The Buckeye State

State Mammal:  White-tailed Deer

State Motto:  "With God, All Things Are Possible"

State Song:  Beautiful Ohio

State Tree:  Buckeye

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