Geography & Climate
Industry
Snapshot | Economy/Cost of
Living
Education
| Recreation
& Entertainment | Transportation
History | Suggested
Reading List
Ohio is located in the Middle West, bordered by Lake Erie and Michigan to the north, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to the east, Kentucky to the south, and Indiana to the west. Ohio ranks 35th in size among the states with a total area of 44,828 sq mi (116,104 sq km) which includes 376 sq mi (974 sq km) of inland water and 3499 sq mi (9062 sq km) of Lake Erie. According to the 2000 census, Ohio ranked 7th for population in the U.S. with 11.4 millioin people and a population density of 277.3 persons per square mile, much higher than the national average of 77 persons per square mile. The four largest cities in Ohio according to the 2000 census, are Cleveland (pop 2,250,871), Cincinnati (pop 1,556,755 - excluding the Kentucky and Indian portions of the region), Columbus (pop 1,540,157), and Dayton (pop 950,558) with Columbus as the capital.
Ohio's topography is determined by two major geologic zones of the U.S., the Appalacian Plateau in the east and the Central Plains in the west. The line between the two regions practically runs down the middle of the state, dividing the state in half. The Appalacian Plateau begins in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and reaches westward into eastern Ohio, and is marked by winding rivers and steep hills, some reaching 1300 feet. West of the plateau is the Central Lowlands which can be further divided into the Lake Plains which stretches from Lake Erie to the Michigan border and the Central, or Till, Plains which cover the western and southwestern parts of the state. The Lake Plains which used to be underwater are characterized by level to slightly rolling lands and swampiness in the northwest. The Central Plains are known for their deep fertile soil and extend westward toward the Mississippi River. This region also holds the highest and lowest elevations in the state - the highest is Campbell Hill at 1550 feet (472 m) and the lowest is located at the confluence of the Miami and Ohio rivers near Cincinnati at 433 feet (132 m). The approximate mean elevation of the state is 850 feet (260 m).
Two major drainages exist in Ohio. Roughly 1/5th of the state drains into Lake Erie via the Maumee and Cuyahoga rivers while the remainder of the state drains into the Ohio-Mississippi river system via the Miami, Scioto, and Muskingum. Floods, which were once common in the area, are now controlled by dams and other conservation measures. Lake Erie, with a mean depth of 62 feet (18.9 m), is the shallowest of the Great Lakes. It is known for its rough water, generally caused by frontal storms from Canada, and also has a history of severe pollution.
The climate of Ohio is similar to other states across the north central and easter United States and is characterized by warm to hot summers and mild to cold winters. The climate is usually determined by cold dry polar air from Canada in winter and warm humid air from the Gulf of Mexico in summer. Often these two fronts converge causing storms and precipation, which totals 38 inches (965 mm) annually. Some of the precipitation arrives as snow, but rarely stays longer than one or two weeks. Temperatures range from 100°F (38°C) in the summer to -20°F (-29°C) in the winter.
Related Resources:
Back to Destination Ohio
|
