<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Released in 2004 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Lists of United States state symbols </Td> </Tr> <P> Iowa (/ ˈaɪ. əwə / (listen)) is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States, bordered by the Mississippi River on the east and the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River on the west . Surrounding states include Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the east, Missouri to the south, Nebraska to the west, South Dakota to the northwest, and Minnesota to the north . </P> <P> In colonial times, Iowa was a part of French Louisiana and Spanish Louisiana; its state flag is patterned after the flag of France . After the Louisiana Purchase, people laid the foundation for an agriculture - based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt . </P>

Where is iowa located in the united states
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