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'''Ohio''' ({{IPAEng|oʊˈhaɪoʊ}}) sucks.
'''Ohio''' ({{IPAEng|oʊˈhaɪoʊ}}) is a [[Midwestern United States|Midwestern]] [[U.S. state|state]] of the [[United States]]. Part of the [[Great Lakes region (North America)|Great Lakes region]], Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads in [[North America]]. At the time of European contact and in the years that followed, [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] in today's Ohio included the [[Shawnee]], [[Iroquois]], [[Miami tribe|Miamis]], and [[Wyandot]]s. Beginning in the 1700s, the area was settled by people from [[New England]], the [[Mid-Atlantic States]], [[Appalachia]], and the upper south.

Prior to 1984, the [[United States Census Bureau]] considered Ohio part of the North Central Region.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/geo/www/geo_defn.html#CensusRegion "Geographic Definitions"]Census Region definition, United States Census Bureau, retrieved [[December 22]] [[2005]].</ref> That region was renamed "Midwest" and split into two divisions. Ohio is now in the [[East North Central States]] division.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/geo/www/geo_defn.html#AttachmentC "Geographic Definitions"] Census Region definition Attachment C, United States Census Bureau, retrieved [[December 22]] [[2005]]</ref> Ohio also has the highest population density of any state not on the [[East Coast of the United States|Eastern Seaboard]], and is the [[List of U.S. states by population|seventh-largest]] state by population in the U.S.

Ohio was the first state admitted to the Union under the [[Northwest Ordinance]]. Its [[U.S. postal abbreviation]] is '''OH'''; its old-style abbreviation was '''O.''' Natives of Ohio are known as ''Ohioans''.

==Etymology==
{{see also|List of U.S. state name etymologies|l1=U.S. state name etymologies}}
The name "Ohio" is derived from the [[Seneca language|Seneca]] word ''ohi:yo’'', meaning "beautiful river" (French mistranslation) or "large creek", which was originally the name of both the [[Ohio River]] and [[Allegheny River]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/ncaa/2007/01/on-banks-of-ohiyo.asp |title=On the Banks of the Ohi:yo |accessdate=2007-02-25 |author=Dow, Dustin |date=[[2007-01-22]] |work=NCAA Hoops Blog}}</ref><ref>Mithun, Marianne. 1999. ''Languages of Native North America''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pg. 312</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanindianstudies.osu.edu/ohio.cfm |title=Native Ohio |accessdate=2007-02-25 |work=American Indian Studies |publisher=[[Ohio State University]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://salamancaoutlet.com/?page=shop/about |title=About |accessdate=2007-02-25 |publisher=Salamanca Cigarette Outlet}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.languagegeek.com/rotinonhsonni/seneca.html |title=Seneca |accessdate=2007-02-25 |author=Harvey, Christopher |publisher=Languagegeek}}</ref>

== History ==
[[Image:DSCN3504 ohiocompany e.JPG|left|thumb|Plaque commemorating the [[Northwest Ordinance]] outside [[Federal Hall]] in lower [[Manhattan]]]]
{{main|History of Ohio}}

===Native Americans===
After the so-called [[Beaver Wars]], the powerful [[Iroquois]] confederation of the [[New York]]-area claimed much of the Ohio country as a hunting and, probably most importantly, a beaver-trapping ground. After the devastation of epidemics and war in the mid-1600s, which had largely emptied the Ohio country of indigenous people by the mid-to-late seventeenth century, the land gradually became repopulated by the mostly [[Algonquian]]-speaking descendants of its ancient inhabitants, that is, descendants of the [[Adena culture|Adena]], [[Hopewell culture|Hopewell]], and [[Mississippian culture|Mississippian]] cultures. Many of these Ohio-country nations were multi-ethnic and sometimes multi-linguistic societies born out of the earlier devastation brought about by disease, subsequent social instability, [[Iroquois]]. They subsisted on agriculture ([[maize|corn]], [[sunflower]]s, [[bean]]s, etc.) supplemented by seasonal hunts. By the 1650s they were very much part of a larger global economy brought about by fur trade.

The indigenous nations to inhabit Ohio in the historical period (most clearly after 1700), included the [[Miamis]] (a large confederation), [[Wyandots]] (made up of refugees, especially from the fractured [[Huron]] confederacy), [[Delawares]] (pushed west from their historic homeland in New Jersey), [[Shawnee]]s (also pushed west, although they may be descended from the [[Fort Ancient]] people of Ohio), [[Ottawa (tribe)|Ottawas]] (more commonly associated with the upper Great Lakes region), [[Mingo]]s (like the Wyandot, a recently-formed composite of refugees from Iroquois and other societies), and [[Eries]] (gradually absorbed into the new, multi-ethnic "republics," namely the Wyandot).

Ohio country was also the site of Indian massacres, such as the Yellow Creek Massacre ([[Chief Logan]]) and [[Gnadenhutten]].

===Colonial and Revolutionary Eras===
During the 18th century, the [[French colonisation of the Americas|French]] set up a system of trading posts to control the [[fur trade]] in the region.

In 1754, France and [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] fought a war known in the United States as the [[French and Indian War]]. As a result of the [[Treaty of Paris (1763)|Treaty of Paris]], the French ceded control of Ohio and the rest of the [[Old Northwest]] to Great Britain. [[Pontiac's Rebellion]] in the 1760s challenged British military control, which ended with the American victory in the [[American Revolution]]. In the [[Treaty of Paris (1783)|Treaty of Paris]] in 1783 Britain ceded all claims to Ohio to the United States.

===Northwest Territory: 1787-1803===
The [[United States]] created the [[Northwest Territory]] under the [[Northwest Ordinance]] of 1787. Slavery was not permitted. Settlement began with the founding of [[Marietta, Ohio|Marietta]] by the [[Ohio Company of Associates]], which had been formed by a group of American Revolutionary War veterans. Following the Ohio Company, the [[Miami Purchase|Miami Company]] (also referred to as the "[[Symmes Purchase]]") claimed the southwestern section and the [[Connecticut Land Company]] surveyed and settled the [[Connecticut Western Reserve]] in present-day [[Northeast Ohio]]. The old Northwest Territory originally included areas that had previously been known as [[Ohio Country]] and [[Illinois Country]]. As Ohio prepared for statehood, [[Indiana Territory]] was created, reducing the Northwest Territory to approximately the size of present-day Ohio plus the eastern half of the [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan]] and the eastern tip of the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsula]].

Under the [[Northwest Ordinance]], any of the states to be formed out of the Northwest Territory would be admitted as a state once the population exceeded 60,000. Although Ohio's population numbered only 45,000 in December 1801, [[United States Congress|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.

===Statehood: 1803 - present===
Eight U.S. presidents hailed from Ohio at the time of their elections, giving rise to the nickname "Mother of Presidents", a sobriquet it shares with [[Virginia]]. Seven presidents were born in Ohio, making it second to Virginia's eight, but Virginia-born [[William Henry Harrison]] and his grandson, [[Benjamin Harrison]], (who also lived part of his adult life in Indiana) settled in, led their political careers from and/or were buried in [[North Bend, Ohio]], on the family compound, founded by William's father-in-law [[John Cleves Symmes]].

In 1835, Ohio fought a mostly bloodless boundary war with [[Michigan]] over the Toledo Strip known as the [[Toledo War]]. Congress intervened and, as a condition for admittance as a state of the Union, Michigan was forced to accept the western two-thirds of the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsula]], in addition to the eastern third that was already part of the state, in exchange for giving up its claim to the Toledo Strip.

[[Image:Ohio.JPG|left|thumb|Ohio state welcome sign]]
Ohio's central position and its population gave it an important place during the Civil War, and the Ohio River was a vital artery for troop and supply movements, as were Ohio's railroads. At the end of the Civil War, three top Union generals were all from Ohio: Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan. Ohio also contributed more soldiers per-capita than any other state in the Union.

In 1912 a Constitutional Convention was held with [[Charles B. Galbreath]] as Secretary. The result reflected the concerns of the Progressive Era. It introduced the initiative and the referendum, allowed the General Assembly to put questions on the ballot for the people to ratify laws and constitutional amendments originating in the Legislature as well. Under the Jeffersonian principle that laws should be reviewed once a generation, the constitution provided for a recurring question to appear on Ohio's general election ballots every 20 years. The question asks whether a new convention is required. Although the question has appeared in 1932, 1952, 1972, and 1992, it has never been approved. Instead constitutional amendments have been proposed by petition to the legislature hundreds of times and adopted in a majority of cases.

On [[February 19]] [[1803]], [[Thomas Jefferson|President Jefferson]] signed an act of Congress that approved Ohio's boundaries and constitution. However, Congress had never passed a resolution formally admitting Ohio as the 17th state. The current custom of Congress declaring an official date of statehood did not begin until 1812, with [[Louisiana]]'s admission as the 18th state. Although no formal resolution of admission was required, when the oversight was discovered in 1953, Ohio congressman [[George H. Bender]] introduced a bill in Congress to admit Ohio to the Union retroactive to [[March 1]] [[1803]]. At a special session at the old state capital in [[Chillicothe, Ohio|Chillicothe]], the Ohio state legislature approved a new petition for statehood that was delivered to Washington, D.C. on horseback. On [[August 7]] [[1953]] (the year of Ohio's 150th anniversary), [[Dwight D. Eisenhower|President Eisenhower]] signed an act that officially declared [[March 1]] [[1803]] the date of Ohio's admittance into the Union.<ref>[http://www2.uakron.edu/OAH/newsletter/newsletter/Autumn2002/features.html "The Date of Ohio Statehood"], Frederick J. Blue, Ph.D., ''Ohio Academy of History Newsletter', Volume 23, Autumn 2002</ref>
{{see also|Category:History of Ohio}}

==Law and government==
{{Main article|Government of Ohio}}

Ohio's [[capital]] is [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], located close to the center of the state. The executive branch is made up of six officers: [[Governor of Ohio|Governor]] and [[Lieutenant Governor of Ohio|lieutenant governor]], [[Ohio Secretary of State|Secretary of state]], [[Ohio Attorney General|Attorney general]], [[Ohio State Auditor|Auditor]], and [[Ohio State Treasurer|Treasurer]]. [[List of Governors of Ohio|Governor]] [[Ted Strickland]] took office as governor in January 2007. The legislative branch of Ohio government, the [[Ohio General Assembly]], is made up of two houses--the [[Ohio State Senate|senate]], which has 33 members, and the [[Ohio House of Representatives|house of representatives]], which has 99 members.The judicial branch is headed by the [[Ohio Supreme Court|supreme court]], which has one chief justice and six associate justices.

In the United States federal government, Ohio has 18 seats [[List of United States congressional districts#Ohio|(''see congressional districts map'')]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]].

==Geography==
[[Image:DSCN4516 portconneautflag e.jpg|right|thumb|The Ohio coast of [[Lake Erie]].]]
[[Image:Map of Ohio NA.png|thumb|right|Map of Ohio.]]
[[Image:Geographic regions ohio.svg|thumb|right|Physical geography of Ohio.]]
{{see|List of Ohio counties|List of cities in Ohio|List of villages in Ohio|List of Ohio townships|Ohio public lands|List of lakes in Ohio}}
Ohio's geographic location has proved to be an asset for economic growth and expansion. Because Ohio links the Northeast to the Midwest, much cargo and business traffic passes through its borders on its well-developed highways. Ohio has the nation's 10th largest highway network, and is within a one-day drive of 50% of North America's population and 70% of North America's manufacturing capacity.<ref>[http://www.dot.state.oh.us/budget/Feb12-03/TransDelivers2-12.asp "Transportation delivers for Ohio"], Ohio Department of Transportation, retrieved [[December 22]] [[2005]]</ref> To the North, [[Lake Erie]] gives Ohio 312 miles (502&nbsp;km) of coastline,<ref>[http://www.ohiodnr.com/coastal/gis/coastalatlasmaps.htm "Ohio Coastal Atlas"] Page 1 of "County Profiles" subsection, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, retrieved [[December 22]] [[2005]].</ref> which allows for numerous seaports. Ohio's southern border is defined by the [[Ohio River]] (with the border being at the 1793 low-water mark on the north side of the river), and much of the northern border is defined by Lake Erie. Ohio's neighbors are [[Pennsylvania]] to the east, [[Michigan]] to the northwest, [[Ontario]] Canada,to the north, [[Indiana]] to the west, [[Kentucky]] on the south, and [[West Virginia]] on the southeast.

Ohio's borders were defined by [[metes and bounds]] in the [[Enabling Act of 1802]] as follows:

{{cquote|Bounded on the east by the Pennsylvania line, on the south by the Ohio River, to the mouth of the [[Great Miami River]], on the west by the line drawn due north from the mouth of the Great Miami aforesaid, and on the north by an east and west line drawn through the southerly extreme of [[Lake Michigan]], running east after intersecting the due north line aforesaid, from the mouth of the Great Miami until it shall intersect Lake Erie or the territorial line, and thence with the same through Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania line aforesaid.}}

Note that Ohio is bounded by the Ohio River, but nearly all of the river itself belongs to Kentucky and West Virginia. In 1980, the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] held that, based on the wording of the cessation of territory by [[Virginia]] (which, at that time included what is now Kentucky and West Virginia), the boundary between Ohio and Kentucky (and by implication, West Virginia) is the northern low-water mark of the river as it existed in 1792.<ref>[http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=444&invol=335 ''Ohio v. Kentucky,''] 444 U.S. 335 (1980)</ref> Ohio has only that portion of the river between the river's 1792 low-water mark and the present high-water mark.

The border with Michigan has also changed, as a result of the Toledo War, to angle slightly northeast to the north shore of the mouth of the Maumee River.

Much of Ohio features glaciated plains, with an exceptionally flat area in the northwest being known as the [[Great Black Swamp]]. This glaciated region in the northwest and central state is bordered to the east and southeast first by a belt known as the [[glaciated Allegheny Plateau]], and then by another belt known as the [[unglaciated Allegheny Plateau]]. Most of Ohio is of low relief, but the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau features rugged hills and forests.

The rugged southeastern quadrant of Ohio, stretching in an outward bow-like arc along the Ohio River from the West Virginia Panhandle to the outskirts of Cincinnati, forms a distinct socio-economic unit. Geologically similar to parts of West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania, this area's [[coal]] mining legacy, dependence on small pockets of old manufacturing establishments, and distinctive regional dialect set this section off from the rest of the state and, unfortunately, create a limited opportunity to participate in the generally high economic standards of Ohio. In 1965 the [[United States Congress]] passed the Appalachian Regional Development Act, at attempt to "address the persistent poverty and growing economic despair of the Appalachian Region."<ref>[http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=7 "History of the Appalachian Regional Commission"], Appalachian Regional Commission, retrieved [[January 3]] [[2006]].</ref> This act defines 29 Ohio counties as part of Appalachia.<ref>[http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=27 "Counties in Appalachia"], Appalachian Regional Commission, retrieved [[January 3]] [[2006]]</ref> While 1/3 of Ohio's land mass is part of the federally defined Appalachian region, only 12.8% of Ohioans live there (1.476 million people.)<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US39&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-T1&-ds_name=PEP_2005_EST&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=ST-2&-mt_name=PEP_2005_EST_GCTT1_ST2&-_sse=on "GCT-T1 Ohio County Population Estimates--2005"], The United States Census Bureau, retrieved [[January 3]] [[2006]]. True summation of Ohio Appalachia counties population (1,476,384) obtained by adding the 29 individual county populations together ([[July 1]] [[2005]] data). Percentage obtained by dividing that number into that table's estimate of Ohio population as of [[July 1]] [[2005]] (11,464,042)</ref>

Significant [[List of lakes in Ohio|rivers]] within the state include the [[Cuyahoga River]], [[Great Miami River]], [[Maumee River]], [[Muskingum River]], and [[Scioto River]]. The rivers in the northern part of the state drain into the northern [[Atlantic Ocean]] via [[Lake Erie]] and the [[St. Lawrence River]], and the rivers in the southern part of the state drain into the [[Gulf of Mexico]] via the [[Ohio River|Ohio]] and then the [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]]. The worst weather disaster in Ohio history occurred along the Great Miami River in 1913. Known as the [[Great Dayton Flood]], the entire Miami River watershed flooded, including the downtown business district of [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]]. As a result, the [[Miami Conservancy District]] was created as the first major flood plain engineering project in Ohio and the United States.<ref name="MCDAct">{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiconservancy.org/about/conservancy.asp|title=The History of the MCD: The Conservancy Act |accessdate=January 13 |accessyear=2007 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Miami Conservancy District|pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref>

[[Grand Lake St. Marys]] in the west central part of the state was constructed as a supply of water for [[canal]]s in the canal-building era of 1820&ndash;1850. For many years this body of water, over 20 square miles (52&nbsp;km²), was the largest artificial lake in the world. It should be noted that [[:Category:Canals in Ohio|Ohio's canal-building projects]] were not the economic fiasco that similar efforts were in other states. Some cities, such as Dayton, owe their industrial emergence to location on canals, and as late as 1910 interior canals carried much of the bulk freight of the state.

===Climate===
The climate of Ohio is a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Koppen climate classification]] ''Dfa'') throughout most of the state except in the extreme southern counties of Ohio's [[Bluegrass region]] section which are located on the northern periphery of the [[humid subtropical climate]] and [[Upland South]] region of the United States. Summers are typically hot and humid throughout the State, while winters generally range from cool to cold. Precipitation in Ohio is moderate year-round. Severe weather is not uncommon in the state, although there are typically fewer [[tornado]]es in Ohio than in states located in the so-called [[Tornado Alley]]. Severe [[lake effect snow]]storms are also not uncommon on the southeast shore of [[Lake Erie]], which is located in an area designated as the [[Snowbelt]].

Although predominantly not in a subtropical climate, some warmer-climate flora and fauna does reach well into Ohio. For instance, a number of trees with more southern ranges, such as the [[blackjack oak]], ''Quercus marilandica'', are found at their northernmost in Ohio just north of the Ohio River. Also evidencing this climatic transition from a [[subtropical]] to [[continental climate]], several plants such as the Southern magnolia ''([[Magnolia grandiflora]])'', [[Albizia julibrissin]] (mimosa), [[Crape Myrtle]], and even the occasional [[Needle Palm]] are hardy landscape materials regularly used as street, yard, and garden plantings in the [[Bluegrass region]] of Ohio; but these same plants will simply not thrive in much of the rest of the State. This interesting change may be observed while traveling through Ohio on Interstate 75 from [[Cincinnati]] to [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]]; the observant traveler of this diverse state may even catch a glimpse of Cincinnati's common [[wall lizard]], one of the few examples of permanent "subtropical" fauna in Ohio.

====Records====
The highest recorded temperature was 113&nbsp;°F (45&nbsp;°C), near [[Gallipolis, Ohio|Gallipolis]] on [[July 21]] [[1934]].<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/maxtemps.pdf
| title = All-Time Temperature Maximums By State (2003)
| accessmonthday = [[November 7]]
| accessyear = [[2006]]
| format = PDF
| work =
| publisher = [[National Climatic Data Center]]
}}</ref>
The lowest recorded temperature was -39&nbsp;°F (-39&nbsp;°C), at [[Milligan, Ohio|Milligan]] on [[February 10]] [[1899]].<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/mintemps.pdf
| title = All-Time Temperature Minimums By State (2003)
| accessmonthday = [[November 7]]
| accessyear = [[2006]]
| format = PDF
| work =
| publisher = [[National Climatic Data Center]]
}}</ref>

===Earthquakes===
[[Earthquake]]s are rare, but not unheard of, in Ohio. More than 30 earthquakes occurred in Ohio in the period 2002-2007, and more than 200 quakes with a [[Richter magnitude scale|magnitude]] of 2.0 or higher have occurred since 1776.<ref>[http://ohiodnr.com/Default.aspx?tabid=18276&EntryID=74 ODNR Updates Ohio Earthquake Map to Reflect Statewide Seismic Activity Since 2002 (news release)], Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey ([[September 18]], [[2007]])</ref>

The most substantial known earthquake in Ohio history was the Anna (Shelby County) earthquake,<ref>Ohio Seismic Network, [http://www.ohiodnr.com/geosurvey/faq/biggest/tabid/8315/Default.aspx ''What was the biggest earthquake in Ohio?'']</ref> which occurred on [[March 9]], [[1937]]. It was centered in western Ohio, and had a magnitude of 5.4, and was of [[Mercalli intensity scale|intensity]] VIII.<ref>[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1937_03_09.php Historic Earthquakes: Western Ohio], U.S. Geological Survey.</ref>

Other significant earthquakes in Ohio include:<ref>[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/historical_state.php#ohio Historic United States Earthquakes: Ohio], U.S. Geological Survey.</ref> one of magnitude 4.8 near [[Lima, Ohio|Lima]] on [[September 19]], [[1884]];<ref>[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1884_09_19.php Historic Earthquakes: Near Lima, Ohio], U.S. Geological Survey.</ref> one of magnitude 4.2 near [[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]] on [[May 17]], [[1901]];<ref>[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1986_01_31.php Historic Earthquakes: Near Portsmouth, Ohio], U.S. Geological Survey.</ref> and one of 5.0 in northeast Ohio on [[January 31]], [[1986]], which continued to trigger 13 aftershocks of magnitude 0.5 to 2.4 for two months.<ref>[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1986_01_31.php Historic Earthquakes: Northeast Ohio], U.S. Geological Survey.</ref>

The most recent earthquake in Ohio of any appreciable magnitude occurred on [[January 8]], [[2008]], at 8:34:46 PM local time. It had a magnitude of 3.1, and its epicenter was under [[Lake Erie]], northeast of [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]], approximately {{convert|9.7|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} west of [[Mentor-on-the-Lake]].<ref>[http://www.ohiodnr.com/ohioseis/earthquakes/080109/tabid/19653/Default.aspx Small earthquake beneath Central Lake Erie], Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey.</ref>

The Ohio Seismic Network (OhioSeis), a group of seismograph stations at several colleges, universities, and other institutions, and coordinated by the Division of Geological Survey of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources,<ref>[http://www.ohiodnr.com/ohioseis/default/tabid/8144/Default.aspx The Ohio Seismic Network]</ref> maintains an extensive catalog of Ohio earthquakes from 1776 to the present day, as well as earthquakes located in other states whose effects were felt in Ohio.<ref>[http://www.ohiodnr.com/geosurvey/html/eqcatlog/tabid/8302/Default.aspx Catalog of Ohio Earthquakes], at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources web site</ref>.

===Major cities===
{{see also|List of cities in Ohio}}

City and metropolitan data are from the US Census Bureau's 2006 estimates:
<div style="float:right; padding-left:12px;">
{| class="wikitable"
!Rank
!City
!2006 Population<ref name="city">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006-04-39.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Ohio, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006|accessdate=2007-06-28|author=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
!2006 Metro Population<ref name="metro">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006|accessdate=2007-04-05|author=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|1
|align=left|[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]
|733,203
|1,725,570
|-
|align=left|2
|align=left|[[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]]
|444,313
|2,114,155
|-
|align=left|3
|align=left|[[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]
|332,252
|2,104,218
|-
|align=left|4
|align=left|[[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]]
|298,446
|653,695
|-
|align=left|5
|align=left|[[Akron, Ohio|Akron]]
|209,704
|700,943
|-
|align=left|6
|align=left|[[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]]
|156,771
|838,940
|-
|align=left|7
|align=left|[[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown]]
|81,520
|586,939
|-
|align=left|8
|align=left|[[Parma, Ohio|Parma]]
|80,009
|*
|-
|align=left|9
|align=left|[[Canton, Ohio|Canton]]
|78,924
|409,764
|-
|align=left|10
|align=left|[[Lorain, Ohio|Lorain]]
|70,592
|*
|-
|align=left|11
|align=left|[[Springfield, Ohio|Springfield]]
|62,844
|141,872
|-
|align=left|12
|align=left|[[Hamilton, Ohio|Hamilton]]
|62,130
|**
|-
|align=left|13
|align=left|[[Elyria, Ohio|Elyria]]
|55,745
|*
|-
|align=left|14
|align=left|[[Kettering, Ohio|Kettering]]
|54,666
|***
|-
|align=left|15
|align=left|[[Lakewood, Ohio|Lakewood]]
|52,194
|*
|-
|align=left|16
|align=left|[[Mentor, Ohio|Mentor]]
|51,593
|*
|-
|align=left|17
|align=left|[[Middletown, Ohio|Middletown]]
|51,290
|**
|-
|align=left|18
|align=left|[[Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio|Cuyahoga Falls]]
|50,398
|*
|-
|align=left|19
|align=left|[[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]]
|50,212
|127,010
|-
|align=left|20
|align=left|[[Euclid, Ohio|Euclid]]
|48,717
|*
|-
|
|
|
|''*[[Greater Cleveland]]''
|-
|
|
|
|''**[[Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area|Cincinnati Metro]]''
|-
|
|
|
|''***[[Miami Valley|Dayton Metro]]''
|}
</div>

[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]] (home of [[Ohio State University]], [[Franklin University]], and [[Ohio Dominican University]]) is the capital of Ohio, near the geographic center of the state. Other Ohio cities functioning as centers of [[United States metropolitan area]]s include [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]] (home of [[University of Akron]] and [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company]]), [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]] (home of [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], [[Malone College (Ohio)|Malone College]], and [[The Timken Company]]), [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]] (home of [[University of Cincinnati]]), [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] (home of [[Cleveland State University]], [[Case Western Reserve University]], [[The Cleveland Clinic]], and [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]), [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] (home of [[University of Dayton]]), [[Lima, Ohio|Lima]] (home of [[University of Northwestern Ohio]]), [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]] (home of [[North Central State College]] and [[Mansfield Motorsports Park]]), [[Sandusky, Ohio|Sandusky]] (home of [[Cedar Point]]), [[Springfield, Ohio|Springfield]] (home of [[Wittenberg University]]), [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]] (home of [[University of Toledo]]), and [[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown]] (home of [[Youngstown State University]]).

Note: The Cincinnati metropolitan area extends into Kentucky and Indiana, and the Youngstown metropolitan area extends into Pennsylvania.

Ohio cities that function as centers of [[United States micropolitan area]]s include [[Ashland, Ohio|Ashland]] (home of [[Ashland University]]), [[Ashtabula, Ohio|Ashtabula]], [[Athens, Ohio|Athens]] (home of [[Ohio University]]), [[Bellefontaine, Ohio|Bellefontaine]], [[Bucyrus, Ohio|Bucyrus]], [[Cambridge, Ohio|Cambridge]], [[Celina, Ohio|Celina]], [[Chillicothe, Ohio|Chillicothe]] (home of [[Ohio University-Chillicothe]]), [[Coshocton, Ohio|Coshocton]], [[Defiance, Ohio|Defiance]] (home of [[Defiance College]]), [[East Liverpool, Ohio|East Liverpool]]-[[Salem, Ohio|Salem]], [[Findlay, Ohio|Findlay]] (home of [[University of Findlay]]), [[Fremont, Ohio|Fremont]], [[Greenville, Ohio|Greenville]], [[Marion, Ohio|Marion]] (home of [[Marion Popcorn Festival]]), [[Mount Vernon, Ohio|Mount Vernon]] (home of [[Mount Vernon Nazarene University]]), [[New Philadelphia, Ohio|New Philadelphia]]-[[Dover, Ohio|Dover]], [[Norwalk, Ohio|Norwalk]], [[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]] (home of [[Shawnee State University]]), [[Sidney, Ohio|Sidney]], [[Tiffin, Ohio|Tiffin]] (home of [[Heidelberg College]] and [[Tiffin University]]), [[Urbana, Ohio|Urbana]] (home of [[Urbana University]]), [[Van Wert, Ohio|Van Wert]], [[Wapakoneta, Ohio|Wapakoneta]], [[Washington Court House, Ohio|Washington Court House]], [[Wilmington, Ohio|Wilmington]] (home of [[Wilmington College (Ohio)|Wilmington College]]), [[Wooster, Ohio|Wooster]] (home of [[The College of Wooster]]), and [[Zanesville, Ohio|Zanesville]] (home of [[Zane State College]]).

<center><gallery>
Image:Columbus-ohio-skyline-panorama.jpg|Skyline of [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]].
Image:Cleveland-Panorama-JasonRene.jpg|View of [[downtown Cleveland]].
Image:Cincinnati oh skyline.jpg|View of downtown [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]].
Image:Skyline of Toledo, Ohio.jpg|View of downtown [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]].
Image:Downtown Akron Ohio.jpg|View of downtown [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]].
Image:Dayton Skyline.jpg|View of downtown [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]].
Image:Youngstown2 036.jpg|View of downtown [[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown]].
</gallery></center>

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Ohio}}

[[Image:Ohio quarter, reverse side, 2002.jpg|left|50px]]
Ohio is a major producer of machines, [[tire]]s and [[rubber]] products, [[steel]], processed foods, tools, and other [[manufacturing|manufactured goods]]. This is not immediately obvious because Ohio specializes in capital goods (goods used to make other goods, such as [[machine tool]]s, automobile parts, industrial chemicals, and [[molding (process)|plastic moldings]]). Nevertheless, there are well known Ohio consumer items including some [[Procter & Gamble]] products, [[The J.M. Smucker Co.|Smuckers]] [[jam]]s and [[Jelly (fruit preserves)|jellies]], and [[Day-Glo]] paints.

There are also numerous automobile plants in Ohio that manufacture cars, most notably the [[Jeep]] plant in [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]], where the vehicles have been made since their initial release in [[World War II]]. [[Honda]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], and [[General Motors]] also have or had automobile plants in Ohio; in the case of the latter, one of their plants in Ohio ([[Lordstown Assembly]], near [[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown]]) is located right off the [[Ohio Turnpike]] with its own exit.

Ohio is the site of the invention of the [[fixed-wing aircraft|airplane]], resulting from the experiments of the [[Wright brothers]] in Dayton. ([[Wright State University]] located in Dayton is named in their honor.) Production of aircraft in the USA is now centered elsewhere, but a large experimental and design facility, [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] has been located near Dayton and serves in the co-ordination of production of US military aircraft. On the base are located [[Wright Hill]] and [[Huffman Prairie]], where many of the earliest aerodynamic experiments of the Wright brothers were performed. Ohio today also has many aerospace, defense, and [[NASA]] parts and systems suppliers scattered throughout the state.

As part of the [[Corn Belt]], agriculture also plays an important role in the state's economy. There is also a small [[fishing industry|commercial fishing]] sector on Lake Erie, and the principal catch is [[yellow perch]]. In addition, Ohio's historical attractions, varying landscapes, and recreational opportunities are the basis for a thriving [[tourism|tourist industry]]. Over 2,500 lakes and 43,000 [[mile]]s (70,000&nbsp;[[kilometer|km]]) of river landscapes are a paradise for boaters, fishermen, and swimmers. Of special historical interest are the [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] archaeological sites&mdash;including [[Mound builder (people)|grave mounds]]<ref>[http://www.ibsgwatch.imagedjinn.com/learn/ohio.htm Indian Mounds-Ohio<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and other sites. According to the [[Ohio Department of Agriculture]] Ohio in 2001 ranked as 1st in Swiss cheese, 2nd in eggs,3rd in tomatoes, 5th in milk, 6th in corn, 6th in soybean, 8th in grapes, 9th in hogs, 9th in floriculture, and 11th in apples.

Two major amusement parks, [[Cedar Point]], and [[Kings Island]], are also important to the tourism industry. Ohio's Amish country is also a major pull for the State's tourism industry. Though still forming itself, tourism is becoming a major industry in Cleveland, especially medical tourism.

The [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] estimates that Ohio's gross state product in 2004 was $419 billion[http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrel/gspnewsrelease.htm]. In 2006 the [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] estimates that Ohio's gross state product was $461.3 billion ranking it 7th in the nation [http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/gsp/action.cfm]. If Ohio was its own nation in would be ranked 17th in GDP ranked behind the Netherlands and above Belgium. Per capita personal income in 2003 was $30,129, 25th in the nation. Ohio's agricultural outputs are [[soybean]]s, [[dairy]] products, [[maize|corn]], [[tomato]]es, [[domestic pig|hogs]], [[cattle]], [[poultry]], and [[egg (food)|egg]]s. Its industrial outputs are transportation equipment, fabricated metal products, machinery, food processing, and [[electricity]] equipment. According to the [[2007 Fortune list]] Ohio had 28 Fortune 500 companies (ranked 5th nationally) and 60 Fortune 1000 companies (also ranked 5th nationally). 3 Ohio cities (Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland) have 5 or more Fortune 500 Companies (ranked 2nd behind Texas among the states.

Ohio's budget could face a [[deficit]] as high as $1.9 billion in fiscal year 2009.<ref>[http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/01/21/daily34.html?surround=lfn Recession could trigger bigger Ohio budget deficit], Business Courier of Cincinnati</ref><ref>[http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/12014481649980.xml&coll=2 Missed forecasts, bad economy blamed for Ohio budget deficit], cleveland.com</ref>

Ohio is recognized for its health care, due to several flagship hospitals that operate in the northeast region of the state. The [[Cleveland Clinic]], ranked among the three leading hospitals in the U.S., has its world headquarters and main campus in Cleveland. Its partner, the [[University Hospitals of Cleveland]] health system, includes the Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, ranked among the top ten children's hospitals in the country. Cincinnati Children's Hospital is the leading center for research into childhood diseases in the state.

== Demographics ==
{{USCensusPop
|1800 = 45365
|1810 = 230760
|1820 = 581434
|1830 = 937903
|1840 = 1519467
|1850 = 1980329
|1860 = 2339511
|1870 = 2665260
|1880 = 3198062
|1890 = 3672329
|1900 = 4157545
|1910 = 4767121
|1920 = 5759394
|1930 = 6646697
|1940 = 6907612
|1950 = 7946627
|1960 = 9706397
|1970 = 10652017
|1980 = 10797630
|1990 = 10847115
|2000 = 11353140
|estyear = 2006
|estimate = 11478006
}}

[[As of 2006]], Ohio has an estimated population of 11,478,006,<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2006/statepopest_table1.xls
| title = Table 1: Estimates of Population Change for the United States and States, and for Puerto Rico and State Rankings: [[July 1]] [[2005]] to [[July 1]] [[2006]]
| accessmonthday = [[December 22]]
| accessyear = [[2006]]
| date = 2006-12-22
| publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]
}}</ref>
which is an increase of 7,321 from the prior year and an increase of 124,861 since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 263,004 people (that is 938,169 births minus 675,165 deaths) and a decrease from net migration of -145,718. [[Immigration to the United States|Immigration]] from outside the United States contributed to a growth of 92,101 people, most coming from southeast and south Asia, yet net migration within the country resulted in a decrease of 237,819 people. Ohio has witnessed an increase in the [[Laotian American]] and [[Thai American]] populations, as well as [[Indian American|Asian Indians]] and [[Hispanics in the United States|Latin Americans]].

The [[center of population]] of Ohio is also located in [[Morrow County, Ohio|Morrow County]], in the county seat of [[Mount Gilead, Ohio|Mount Gilead]] [http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt].
{{US Demographics}}
As of 2004, Ohio's population included about 390,000 foreign-born (3.4%).

The largest ancestry groups in Ohio are [[German American|German]] (25.2%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (12.7%), [[African American]] (11.5%), [[English American|English]] (9.2%), [[American ancestry|American]] (8.5%), and [[Italian American|Italian]] (6.0%).

German is the largest reported ancestry in most of the counties in Ohio, especially in the northwest, central, and the extreme southwest. Ohioans who cited [[American ancestry|American]] and [[British American|British ancestry]] are present throughout the state as well, particularly in the south-central part of the state. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton have large [[African American]] communities. Cleveland and Toledo have sizable [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] populations, while the Cleveland and Columbus areas have the largest [[Asian American|Asian]] populations. Greater Cleveland is home to a notably large [[Jewish American|Jewish]] community. Other Ohio cities, such as Cincinnati, also have sizable Hungarian and Jewish populations.

6.6% of Ohio's population were reported as under 5, 25.4% under 18, and 13.3% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 51.4% of the population.

===Religion in Ohio===
The first [[Mission (Christian)|religious settlement]] in Ohio was founded in 1751 among the Huron Indians in what is now the Sandusky area. Shortly afterward, [[Moravia]]n missionaries converted some Delaware Indians to Christianity; the first Protestant church was founded by Congregationalist ministers at Marietta in 1788. Dissident religious sects such as the [[Shakers]], [[Amish]], and [[Quakers]] moved into Ohio from the early 18th century onward,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://omp.ohiolink.edu/OMP/religion.pdf|title=Religion in Ohio|pages=1-2|accessdate=2008-03-04}}</ref> but the majority of settlers in the early 19th century were [[Presbyterians]], [[Methodists]], [[Baptists]], [[Disciples of Christ]], and [[Episcopalians]].{{Fact|date=March 2008}}

According to the [[2000 United States Census|2000 Census]], Ohio's reported [[Roman Catholic]] population was 2,231,832, and state's [[Judaism|Jewish]] population was 142,255, with the largest [[Jew|Jewish communities]] being in the Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus metro areas. Muslims in Ohio accounted for 41,281 people, while Ohio's communities of Amish and Mennonites -- among the largest in the nation -- tallied over 24,000 Amish and over 20,000 Mennonites respectively, located primarily in central Ohio.{{Fact|date=March 2008}}

The largest [[Protestant]] denominations and their adherents in 2000 were the [[United Methodist Church]], 566,084; the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], 301,749; the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], 200,232; the [[Presbyterian Church USA]], 160,800; the [[United Church of Christ]], 157,180; [[Christian Churches and Churches of Christ]], 142,571; and the [[American Baptist Churches USA]], 117,757. About 6.2 million people (55.1% of the population) declined to be counted as members of any religious organization.{{Fact|date=March 2008}}

{| align=left
|-
|[[Image:Ohio population map.png|thumb|200px|Ohio Population Density Map]]
|[[Image:Population Growth Ohio.png|thumb|200px|Population Growth in Ohio]]
|}

==Political demographics and history==
{{see also|U.S. Electoral College|Politics of Ohio|Ohio Democratic Party|Ohio Republican Party}}
Politically, Ohio is considered a [[swing state]]. ''[[The Economist]]'' notes that, "This slice of the mid-west contains a bit of everything American—part north-eastern and part southern, part urban and part rural, part hardscrabble poverty and part booming
suburb,"<ref>[http://www.economist.com/World/na/displayStory.cfm?story_id=5327576" A grain of sand for your thoughts"], ''The Economist'', [[December 20]] [[2005]], retrieved [[December 23]] [[2005]].</ref>

The mixture of urban and rural areas, and the presence of both large blue-collar industries and significant white-collar commercial districts leads to a balance of [[American conservatism|conservative]] and [[American liberalism|liberal]] population that (together with the state's 20 electoral votes, more than most swing states) makes the state very important to the outcome of national elections. Ohio was a deciding state in the [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004 presidential election]] between [[George W. Bush]] and [[John Kerry]]. Bush narrowly won the state's 20 electoral votes by a margin of 2 percentage points and 50.8% of the vote [http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/OH/P/00/]. The state supported [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Bill Clinton]] in [[United States presidential election, 1992|1992]] and [[United States presidential election, 1996|1996]], but supported [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] George W. Bush in [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]] and 2004. Ohio was also a deciding factor in the [[United States presidential election, 1948|1948 presidential election]] when Democrat [[Harry S. Truman]] defeated Republican [[Thomas Dewey]] (who had won the state four years earlier) and in the [[United States presidential election, 1976|1976 presidential election]] when Democrat [[Jimmy Carter]] defeated Republican [[Gerald Ford]] by a slim margin in Ohio and took the election.

Ohio's demographics cause many to consider the state as a microcosm of the nation as a whole. A Republican presidential candidate has never won the White House without winning Ohio, and Ohio has gone to the winner of the election in all but two contests since 1892, backing only losers [[Thomas E. Dewey]] in [[United States presidential election, 1944|1944]] (Ohio's [[John Bricker]] was his running mate) and [[Richard M. Nixon]] in [[United States presidential election, 1960|1960]]. Consequently, the state is very important to the campaigns of both major [[political party|parties]]. Ohio had 20 electoral votes in the [[United States Electoral College|Electoral College]] in 2004.<ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4141463 NPR: All Eyes on Ohio's 20 Electoral Votes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Many political analysts divide the state into five distinct regions: a central region and one in each corner. These regions are as different from each other as most states, and the largest (northeast) is only twice the size of the smallest (southeast). The northeast, including Cleveland, Youngstown, Lorain/Elyria, and other industrial areas, votes solidly Democrat largely due to its traditionally strong unions. The northwest is largely farmland with a few small manufacturing cities such as Toledo and Lima, and leans slightly Republican. The southwest is the most heavily Republican part of the state, especially in the suburbs in between Dayton and Cincinnati. Libertarian candidates also run surprisingly strongly in this area. The Appalachian regions in the Southeast are a swing bloc, tending to favor the candidates who have strong economic agendas. The central part of the state, consisting of Columbus and its suburbs, is typical of many newly large cities: a poor urban Democratic core surrounded by a rich suburban Republican ring.

Ohio is known as the "Modern Mother of Presidents", having sent eight of its native sons to the White House. Seven of them were Republicans, and the other was a member of the [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig Party]].<ref>[http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/07/01/loc_wwwloc2aprez1.html 'State of Eight' exhibit brings Ohio's presidential legacy home<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

"Ohio has excelled as a recruiting-ground for national political leaders. Between the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and 1920, seven Ohioans were elected to the presidency, ending with [[Warren G. Harding|Harding]]'s election in 1920. At the same time, six Ohioans sat on the [[Supreme Court of the United States|US Supreme Court]] and two served as [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justices]]....'Not since the [[Virginia]] dynasty dominated national government during the early years of the Republic' notes historian R. Douglas Hurt, 'had a state made such a mark on national political affairs.'

Ohioans dominated national politics for seventy years, because Ohio was to a large extent a microcosm of the nation. Hurt writes that the elements of that microcosm were 'the diversity of the people, the strength of the industrial and agricultural economy, and the balance between rural and urban populations.' He continues: 'The individuals who played major roles in national affairs appealed to broad national constituencies because they learned their skills in Ohio, where political success required candidates to reconcile wide differences among the voters. Ohioans were northerners and southerners as well as easterners and westerners. Consequently, Ohio's politicians addressed constituencies that were the same as those across the nation.' Finally, the pragmatic and centrist character of Ohio politics, Hurt asserts, has made it 'job-oriented rather than issue oriented.'"<ref>The American Mayor, Melvin G. Holli, Pennsylvania State University Press, 1999, Page 162. ISBN 0-271-01876-3.</ref>

==Education==
Ohio's system of [[public education]] is outlined in Article VI of the [[Ohio Constitution|state constitution]], and in Title XXXIII of the [[Ohio Revised Code]]. Substantively, Ohio's system is similar to those found in [[Education in the United States|other states]]. At the State level, the Ohio Department of Education, which is overseen by the [[Ohio State Board of Education]], governs primary and secondary educational institutions. At the municipal level, there are approximately 700 school districts statewide. The [[Ohio Board of Regents]] coordinates and assists with Ohio's institutions of [[higher education]] which have recently been reorganized into the [[University System of Ohio]] under Governor Strickland. The system averages an annual enrollment of over 400,000 students thus making it one of the five largest state university systems in the U.S.

===Colleges and universities===
{{main|List of colleges and universities in Ohio}}
* 13 state [[university|universities]]
**[[University of Akron]], [[Akron, Ohio]]
**[[Bowling Green State University]], [[Bowling Green, Ohio]]
**[[Central State University]], [[Wilberforce, Ohio]]
**[[University of Cincinnati]], [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]
**[[Cleveland State University]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]]
**[[Kent State University]], [[Kent, Ohio]]
**[[Miami University]], [[Oxford, Ohio]]
**[[Ohio University]], [[Athens, Ohio]]
**[[The Ohio State University]], [[Columbus, Ohio]]
**[[Shawnee State University]], [[Portsmouth, Ohio]]
**[[University of Toledo]], [[Toledo, Ohio]]
**[[Wright State University]], [[Dayton, Ohio]] ([[Fairborn, Ohio]])
**[[Youngstown State University]], [[Youngstown, Ohio]]
* 24 state university branch and regional campuses
* 46 private [[college]]s and universities <sup>a</sup> <sup>b</sup>
* 6 free-standing state-assisted [[medical school]]s
**[[Medical University of Ohio|University of Toledo College of Medicine]] (formerly Medical University of Ohio)
**[[Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine]]
**[[OSU College of Medicine and Public Health|The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health]]
**[[Ohio University|Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine]]
**[[University of Cincinnati|University of Cincinnati College of Medicine]]
**[[Wright State University|Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine]]
* 15 community colleges
* 8 technical colleges
* 24 independent [[non-profit]] colleges

:<sup>a</sup> Included among these is the [[University of Dayton]], which is a private, [[Roman Catholic]] university run by the [[Society of Mary (Marianists)|Society of Mary]].

:<sup>b</sup> Two of these institutions are ranked among the top 40 in the nation: [[Case Western Reserve University]], and [[Oberlin College]].

==Libraries==
Ohio is home to some of the nation's highest-ranking public libraries.<ref>[http://www.haplr-index.com/ALProofHAPLR_2006.pdf Thomas J. Hennen's American Public Library Ratings for 2006]</ref> The 2006 study by Thomas J. Hennen Jr. ranked Ohio as number one in a state-by-state comparison. For 2006, Ohio's three largest library systems were all ranked in the top ten for American cities of 500,000 or more:<ref>[http://www.haplr-index.com/HAPLR100.htm Library Name<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[Cuyahoga County Public Library]] (first)
*[[Columbus Metropolitan Library]] (third)
*The [[Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County]] (eighth)

The [[Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)]] is an organization that provides Ohio residents with [[internet]] access to their 251 public libraries. OPLIN also provides Ohioans with free home access to high-quality, subscription research databases.

Ohio also offers the [[OhioLINK]] program, allowing Ohio's libraries (particularly those from colleges and universities) access to materials in other libraries. The program is largely successful in allowing researchers access to books and other media that might not otherwise be available.

==Sports==
===Professional===
The first openly all-professional sports team called Ohio home: The [[Cincinnati Red Stockings]] of [[Major League Baseball]] formed in [[1869]]. Today, Ohio is home to several professional sports teams, including seven [[major professional sports league]] franchises.

Ohio is currently the only state to have teams in each of the major leagues without one city or metro area that can lay claim to the "[[U.S. cities with teams from four major sports|Grand Slam]]," though Cleveland briefly held this status from 1976 to 1978. Major professional sporting teams in Ohio include:

*[[Major League Baseball]]
**[[Cincinnati Reds]] - [[National League|NL]]
**[[Cleveland Indians]] - [[American League|AL]]

*[[National Football League]]
**[[Cincinnati Bengals]]
**[[Cleveland Browns]]

*[[National Basketball Association]]
**[[Cleveland Cavaliers]]

*[[National Hockey League]]
**[[Columbus Blue Jackets]]

*[[Major League Soccer]]
**[[Columbus Crew]]

Former major league teams:

*[[Akron Pros]] (NFL) ([[1920]]-[[1925]])
*[[Canton Bulldogs]] (NFL) ([[1920]]-[[1923]] and [[1925]]-[[1926]])
*[[Cincinnati Red Stockings]] (NL)([[1876]]-[[1880]])
*[[Cleveland Blues (NL)|Cleveland Blues]] (NL) ([[1879]]-[[1884]])
*[[Cleveland Spiders]] ([[American Association (19th century)|AA]]-NL) ([[1887]]-[[1899]])
*[[St. Louis Rams|Cleveland Rams]] (NFL) ([[1936]]-[[1945]])
*[[Sacramento Kings|Cincinnati Royals]] (NBA) ([[1957]]-[[1972]])
*[[Cleveland Barons (NHL)|Cleveland Barons]] (NHL) ([[1976]]-[[1978]])
*The rival [[World Hockey Association]], considered by some a major professional sports league, had two Ohio teams, the [[Cleveland Crusaders]] ([[1972]]-[[1976]]) and the [[Cincinnati Stingers]] ([[1975]]-[[1979]]).
*[[Dayton Triangles]] (NFL) ([[1920]]-[[1929]])

====Other Ohio professional sports teams====
{|
|valign="top"|
*[[Baseball]]
**[[minor league baseball|Minor League Baseball]]
***[[Akron Aeros]]
***[[Chillicothe Paints]]
***[[Columbus Clippers]]
***[[Dayton Dragons]]
***[[Lake County Captains]]
***[[Mahoning Valley Scrappers]]
***[[Toledo Mud Hens]]

*[[Softball]]
**[[National Pro Fastpitch]]
***[[Akron Racers]]

*[[Basketball]]
**[[International Basketball League]]
***[[Dayton Jets]]
***[[Marysville Meteors]]
|valign="top"|
*[[American football|Football]]
**[[Arena Football League]]
***[[Columbus Destroyers]]
***[[Cleveland Gladiators]]
**[[AF2|Arena Football 2 (AF2) League]]
***[[Mahoning Valley Thunder]]
**[[National Indoor Football League]]
***[[Cincinnati Marshals]]
**[[Continental Indoor Football League]]
***[[Marion Mayhem]]
***[[Miami Valley Silverbacks]]
<!-- FOLDED: ***[[Wayne County Rumble]] -->
<!-- FOLDED: ***[[Steubenville Stampede]] -->
**[[American Indoor Football Association]]
***[[Canton Legends]]
**[[National Women's Football Association]]
***[[Cleveland Fusion]]
***[[Columbus Comets]]
***[[Cincinnati Sizzle]]
**[[United States Australian Football League]]
***[[Cincinnati Dockers]]

|valign="top"|
*[[Hockey]]
<!-- Stop adding "Lake Erie Monsters". They will be AHL, not NHL, and are in the list already, see below. -->
**[[American Hockey League]]
***Cleveland [[Lake Erie Monsters]]
**[[Central Hockey League]]
***[[Youngstown Steelhounds]]
**[[East Coast Hockey League]]
***[[Cincinnati Cyclones]]
***[[Dayton Bombers]]
***[[Toledo Walleye]] (beginning 2009)
<!-- ***[[Toledo Storm]] Storm folded, see their article at [[Toledo Storm]] -->
**[[North American Hockey League]]
***[[Mahoning Valley Phantoms]]
**[[Mid-Atlantic Hockey League]]
***[[Wooster Warriors]]

*[[Football (soccer)|Soccer]]
**[[United Soccer Leagues]]
***[[Cincinnati Kings]]
***[[Cleveland City Stars]]

|}

===College and high school===
Ohio is also known for being full of rabid fans of college and high school football. [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] is the 5th winningest program in [[NCAA]] history and has 7 National Championships and 7 [[Heisman Trophy]] winners. [[University of Cincinnati|Cincinnati]], [[University of Akron|Akron]], [[Ohio University|Ohio]], [[Miami University]], [[Bowling Green State University|Bowling Green]], [[University of Toledo|Toledo]] and [[Kent State University|Kent State]] all also compete in Division I-A [[Football (American)|Football]] Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of College Football. Toledo holds one of the nation's longest Division I football winning streaks, winning 35 consecutive games from 1969 to 1971 under quarterback Chuck Ealey. [[Youngstown State]] is a perennial power in Division I-AA Football Championship Subdivision having won 4 I-AA Championships under current Ohio State Coach [[Jim Tressel]]. [[Mount Union College]] is the dynasty of Division III college football with 11 National Championships and a record 62 game winning streak at one point.

[[Massillon Washington High School]] in Massillon has won 9 high school football national championship polls and 31 state championships. [[Cincinnati Colerain]] is rising to be a dynasty in its own right, and is scheduled to face Massillon at Cleveland Browns Stadium in 2008.

Cincinnati's [[Greater Catholic League]], consisting of boy's Catholic high schools from the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas, is one of the most competitive leagues in the state and the country. Not including its all-girls counterpart, the GGCL, the GCL has laid claim to over 110 state titles and more than 315 individual state titles, as well as numerous national championships. In particular, the GCL South Division has achieved a great deal of success. Consisting of the four, large all-male schools of [[Elder High School|Elder]], [[La Salle High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)|LaSalle]], [[Archbishop Moeller High School|Moeller]] and [[St. Xavier High School (Cincinnati)|St. Xavier]], four of the last six Division I State Football Championships have come from this division.

Recent Team State Championships for the GCL South:
:*'''Elder Panthers:''' Football (2002, 2003), Baseball (2004)
:*'''LaSalle Lancers:''' Cross Country (2005, 2006)
:*'''Moeller Crusaders:''' Baseball (2004), Basketball (2003, 2007), Volleyball (2004, 2007)
:*'''St. Xavier Bombers:''' Baseball (2003), Cross Country (2003), Football (2005, 2007), Tennis 2006, 2007), Swimming (2002-2004, 2006, 2007), Volleyball (2006)

Ohio High School's Federal League, including the McKinley Bulldogs, Perry Panthers, Jackson Polar Bears, North Canton
Hoover Vikings, Lake Blue Streaks, GlenOak Eagles, Austintown Fitch Falcons, and the Boardman Spartans, have one of the most competitive leagues in Ohio when it comes to sports.

Recent Championships for Federal League:
Jackson Polar Bears- State Finalist-Mens Soccer- 2007 Jackson Polar Bears-State Runner-ups-Womens Cross Country-2005 Hoover Vikings- State Finalist- Softball- 2007- D1- Beat by Hudson.
Hoover Vikings- State Champs- Softball- 2006- WP- Jessica Simpson- D1.
Lake Blue Streaks- State Champs- Softball- 2005 WP- Julie Boyes- D1.
Lake Blue Streaks- State Finalist- Softball- 2004- D1- Beat by St. Ursala.
Lake Blue Streaks- Mike Miller, three-time Ohio Wrestling State Champion 2003, 2004, 2005
Canton Mckinley Bulldogs - State Champs - Basketball - 2005/2006. First team to win the title back to back.

The Suburban League is another competitive league along side the Federal League. This leagues includes The Barberton Magics, Green Bulldogs, Revere Minutemen, Cloverleaf Colts, Highland Hornets, Wadsworth Grizzlies, Copley Indians,and the Tallmadge Blue Devils.

==Transportation==
Many major east-west transportation corridors go through Ohio. One of those pioneer routes, known in the early 1900s as "Main Market Route 3", was chosen in 1913 to become part of the historic [[Lincoln Highway]] which was the first road across [[United States|America]], connecting [[New York City]] to [[San Francisco]]. In Ohio, the Lincoln Highway linked many towns and cities together, including [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]], [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]], [[Lima, Ohio|Lima]], and [[Van Wert, Ohio|Van Wert]]. The arrival of the Lincoln Highway to Ohio was a major influence on the development of the state. Upon the advent of the federal numbered highway system in 1926, the Lincoln Highway through Ohio became [[U.S. Highway 30]].

Ohio also is home to {{convert|228|mi|km|0}} of the Historic [[National Road]], now [[U.S. Route 40]].

Ohio has a highly developed network of roads and interstate highways. Major east-west through routes include the [[Ohio Turnpike]] ([[Interstate 80|I-80]]/[[Interstate 90|I-90]]) in the north, [[Interstate 76 (east)|I-76]] through [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]] to [[Pennsylvania]], [[U.S. Highway 30|U.S. 30]] (the [[Lincoln Highway]]) a bit further south through [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]], [[Mansfield, Ohio|Mansfield]], [[Lima, Ohio|Lima]], and [[Van Wert, Ohio|Van Wert]], [[Interstate 70|I-70]] through [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]] and [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]], and the [[Appalachian Highway (Ohio)|Appalachian Highway]] (Ohio 32) running from [[West Virginia]] to [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]. Major north-south routes include [[Interstate 75|I-75]] in the west through [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]], [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]], and Cincinnati, [[Interstate 71|I-71]] through the middle of the state from [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] through [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]] and [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]] into [[Kentucky]], and [[Interstate 77|I-77]] in the eastern part of the state from Cleveland through [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]], [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]], [[New Philadelphia, Ohio|New Philadelphia]] and [[Marietta, Ohio|Marietta]] down into West Virginia. Interstate 75 between Cincinnati and Dayton is one of the heaviest section of traveled interstate in Ohio.

Air travel includes [[Cleveland Hopkins International Airport]], which is a major hub for [[Continental Airlines]], as well as [[Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport]] (located in the state of Kentucky), which is a major hub for [[Delta Air Lines]]. Other major airports are located in [[James M. Cox Dayton International Airport|Dayton]], [[Toledo Express Airport|Toledo]], [[Port Columbus International Airport|Columbus]], and [[Akron-Canton Regional Airport|Akron-Canton]].
{{seealso|List of airports in Ohio}}

===Transportation Lists===
* [[List of Ohio state highways]]
* [[List of Ohio train stations]]
* [[List of Ohio railroads]]
* [[List of Ohio rivers]]
* [[Historic Ohio Canals]]

==State symbols==
{{main|List of Ohio state symbols}}

[[Image:2002 OH Proof.png|right|thumb|Ohio quarter showing the "Birthplace of aviation pioneers" slogan.]]
[[Image:Aesculus glabra nuts.jpg|right|thumb|Ohio buckeyes, the seed from the [[Ohio buckeye| Ohio buckeye]] tree.]]
*[[State animal]]: [[White-tailed Deer]] (1987)
*[[List of U.S. state birds|State bird]]: [[Northern Cardinal|Cardinal]] (1933)
*[[State capital]]: [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]
*[[State flower]]: Scarlet [[Carnation]] (1904)
*[[State wildflower]]: Large white trillium ([[Trillium grandiflorum]]) (1986)
*[[State insect]]: [[Ladybug]] [[Beetle]] (1975)
*[[State song]]: "[[Beautiful Ohio]]" (1969)
*[[State rock song]]: "[[Hang On Sloopy]]" (1985)
*[[State tree]]: [[Ohio Buckeye|Buckeye]] (1953)
*[[State fossil]]: [[Trilobite]] [[genus]] [[Isotelus]] (1985)
*[[State beverage]]: [[Tomato juice]] (1965)
*[[State reptile]]: [[Racer (snake)|Black racer snake]] (1995)
*[[State stone]]: Ohio [[Flint]] (1965)
*[[State motto]]: "With God all things are possible." (1959)
*State herb capital: [[Gahanna, Ohio|Gahanna]] (1972)
*Slogans
**"Ohio, the heart of it all!" Used on Ohio's license plates and welcome signs between the years 1985-2001 (license plates) and 1991-2005 (welcome signs).The connotation being that the state's shape resembles a heart symbol -- and also that most people consider Ohio the beginning of the US Heartland.<ref>[http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=1882 Ohio's State Tourism Slogans - Ohio History Central - A product of the Ohio Historical Society<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The town of [[North Baltimore, Ohio]] in [[Wood County]] makes the claim of being "The Cross Roads of The Heartland" in yet another claim of Ohio being the Heart of it all and the start of the Heartland.<ref>[http://www.conway.com/oh/9708/ Ohio: America's Crossroads, Site Selection magazine, Aug/Sep 1997<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
**"Ohio, so much to discover." Adopted as part of state bicentennial campaign. Also used on welcome signs since 2001, although the signs on I-75 still were the blue "The Heart of It All Signs" until August of 2005)
**"Birthplace Of Aviation" Used on Ohio license plates and welcome signs since 2001. It also appears similarly in Ohio's design for the [[50 State Quarters]] program with the addition of the word "Pioneers".
**"The Buckeye State" Common state nickname <ref>[http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=1869 Ohio's State Nickname - Ohio History Central - A product of the Ohio Historical Society<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> (Ohio residents are often called Buckeyes)
*The [[Ohio class submarine|''Ohio''-class]] SSBN program and the first ship of the program, the [[USS Ohio (SSGN-726)|USS ''Ohio'']] (SSBN-726), were named after Ohio.

There has been an attempt to make the [[pawpaw]] the [[List of U.S. state foods|state fruit]], but this has been blocked by others who wish to make the [[apple]] the state fruit. This has resulted in a bumper sticker that may often be seen in southeastern Ohio saying "I'm pro-pawpaw - and I vote!"<ref>http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16311422.htm</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Ohio|Flag of Ohio.svg}}
*[[Appalachia]]
*[[List of people from Ohio]]
*[[Ohio census statistical areas]]
*[[Ohio Constitution]]
*[[Ohio in the Civil War]]
*[[Ohio State Highway Patrol]]
*[[Scouting in Ohio]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Ohio}}
*[http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/ Ohio History Central]
*[http://www.ohio.gov/ State of Ohio Official Website]
*[http://www.discoverohio.com/ State of Ohio Official Travel and Tourism Website]
*[http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=OH USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Ohio]
*[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39000.html U.S. Census Bureau]
*[http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/OH.htm Ohio State Facts]
*[http://ohio.wikia.com State of Ohio wiki]
*[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states.php?region=Ohio Ohio Earthquake Information]
<br clear="all"/>
{{Ohio|expand}}
{{US Midwest|expand}}
{{United States}}

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[[Category:Ohio| ]]
[[Category:States of the United States]]
[[Category:1803 establishments]]

{{Link FA|es}}

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Revision as of 20:41, 23 March 2008

For other uses, see the U.S. State.
Ohio
State
CountryUnited States
Admitted to the UnionMarch 1, 1803 (17th,
declared retroactively on
August 7 1953)
CapitalColumbus
Largest cityColumbus
Largest metro and urban areasGreater Cleveland
Government
 • GovernorTed Strickland (D)
 • Lieutenant GovernorLee Fisher (D)
 • Upper house{{{Upperhouse}}}
 • Lower house{{{Lowerhouse}}}
U.S. senatorsGeorge V. Voinovich (R)
Sherrod Brown (D)
Population
 • Total11,353,140
 • Density277.26/sq mi (107.05/km2)
Language
 • Official languageEnglish de facto
Latitude38° 24′ N to 41° 59′ N
Longitude80° 31′ W to 84° 49′ W

Ohio (/oʊˈhaɪoʊ/) sucks.

  1. ^ a b "Elevations and Distances in the United States". U.S Geological Survey. 29 April 2005. Retrieved November 7. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |year= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
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