Attending college in Texas has made me realize how little people really know about the great state of Indiana. When I asked my roommate to point out where Indiana was located on a map, she pointed to Pennsylvania? (disheartening, I know!) So, here are the answers to all your inquiries about the beautiful Hoosier state:

1. Where is the state located?

If anyone remembers Ben Higgins’ season of the bachelor, you’ll remember the frightening moment when Becca and JoJo were tasked with placing the state of Indiana on the map. Unfortunately, too many Americans seem to struggle with locating our “fly over state”. So just remember, we’re located just below Michigan (ya know, the one shaped like a mitten)!

2. What do you call the native people?

For the seventeenth time, inhabitants of the great state of Indiana are not referred to as Indians or Indianans. We are Hoosiers. Now, what on God’s green earth is a Hoosier you may ask? Well, there are many theories as to how the nickname came about. My personal favorite being the theory that when a visitor would knock upon the door of a settler living in Indiana, the homeowner would call out “Who’s yere?” which then gave birth to the name Hoosier. Silly, I know, but our nickname nevertheless.

3. Is Pawnee a real town?

For all of you Parks & Recreation fans out there, I have some bad news. Although the show claims the town is located 90 miles from Indianapolis and 35 miles from Bloomington, the town isn’t actually real. The show does happen to include some actual sites of Indiana though, as the characters spend a day in the Colts Stadium and at dinner at St. Elmo’s Steak House!

4. What is the Indy 500?

As the Indy 500 tops the list of America’s most-attended sporting events, you can expect to see 300,000+ people in attendance each, rain or shine. Whether you want to sit in the stands, hang out in the infield, or party in the snake pit, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway entertains all. Just beware, race fans are truly a special breed.

5. Do people really drive tractors to school?

Alright, so it may not be an everyday occurrence, but many Indiana schools still have a “drive your tractor to school day”. Although it may take an extra hour to get to school on these days, the event is often one of the highlights of the school year!

6. Are there any fun mascots?

Whether you are talking about the Speedyway Sparkplugs, the Northwest Space Pioneers, or the Logansport Berries, Indiana high schools definitely have some unique mascots. The winner though has to be Frankfort High School’s mascot as they are home of the mighty Hot Dogs!

7. Are there any corn fields?

All right, so there may be more than just a few corn fields in the state. Actually, 83% of the land in Indiana is either devoted to farms or forests.You wont believe how many corn and bean fields you can pass while driving through the state. But don’t worry, there will be plenty of corn mazes to bring hours of entertainment during the fall. And there is even something to be said for picturesque views that these lands bring.

8. What is the weather like?

From tornadoes, to ice storms, to blazing heat, Indiana really does have some of the most drastic weather. The crazy part is that some of these events will even take place within the same day. It is a running joke that if you don’t like the weather in Indiana, all you have to do

is wait 10 minutes and it will change. Most people even stop listening to the weathermen as the weather is often so unpredictable!

9. What is so special about the Indiana State Fair?

I’m not even sure if the Indiana State Fair can be put into words as it’s really just a unique experience full of a wide variety of people. But, whether you want to attend a demolition derby, eat 3,500 calories in one meal, or ride sketchy fair rides, the state fair really has it all.

10. What are the people like?

At the end of the day, the people of Indiana are some of the most genuine, kind-hearted people you will find in this world. Many are true to their small-town roots and stand firm in what they believe in. Ultimately, we’re all just Hoosiers!