You can find the twelve Midwestern states. Here are their capitals.
Key idea
The Midwest's capitals: Columbus (Ohio), Indianapolis (Indiana), Springfield (Illinois), Lansing (Michigan), Madison (Wisconsin), Saint Paul (Minnesota), Des Moines (Iowa), Jefferson City (Missouri), Bismarck (North Dakota), Pierre (South Dakota), Lincoln (Nebraska) and Topeka (Kansas).
Why it works
A capital is the city where a state's government meets: the governor works there and the legislature writes laws there. Many capitals were chosen long ago because they were near the middle of the state, easy for lawmakers to reach by horse or riverboat. The biggest cities often grew later, around ports and railroads. That is why the capital is so often not the biggest city.
| State | Capital | A well-known city that is not the capital |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Columbus | Cleveland |
| Indiana | Indianapolis | Fort Wayne |
| Illinois | Springfield | Chicago |
| Michigan | Lansing | Detroit |
| Wisconsin | Madison | Milwaukee |
| Minnesota | Saint Paul | Minneapolis |
| Iowa | Des Moines | Cedar Rapids |
| Missouri | Jefferson City | St. Louis |
| North Dakota | Bismarck | Fargo |
| South Dakota | Pierre | Sioux Falls |
| Nebraska | Lincoln | Omaha |
| Kansas | Topeka | Wichita |
Worked example: The Twin Cities
Minneapolis and Saint Paul sit side by side on the Mississippi. Which one is Minnesota's capital?
- Minneapolis is the larger of the two.
- The state capitol building is across the river, in Saint Paul.
- So Saint Paul is the capital.
Answer: Saint Paul.
Common mistake
Students pick the biggest city: Illinois's capital is Springfield, not Chicago; Michigan's is Lansing, not Detroit; Missouri's is Jefferson City, not Kansas City or St. Louis; Wisconsin's is Madison, not Milwaukee.
Memory help. Pierre, South Dakota, is said "peer." Two Midwest capitals are named for presidents: Lincoln (Nebraska) and Jefferson City (Missouri). Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana, are both near the middle of their states.