Okay, maybe not EVERYTHING, but it's a pretty good start! There is a heck of a lot to pack into twenty six fun facts about Iowa, so strap in, this is Iowa A to Z, the following 26 facts, figures, and other fun info will give you a pretty good understanding of what Iowa is all about:

Atanasoff-Berry Computer

The first automatic electronic digital computer, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, was invented at Iowa State College in 1942.

Bridges of Madison County

The charming, covered Bridges of Madison County were so beautiful, they inspired a movie which starred Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep!

Cy-Hawk Trophy

Since 1894, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State University Cyclones have battled it out on the football field in their over-century old rivalry. At the end of the game, the winner goes home with the coveted Cy-Hawk trophy.

Des Moines

Life is Iowa is pretty sweet, and it is extra sweet in the capital, Des Moines , is also the largest city in the state, and a growing hub of business and culture. Recently, Des Moines was ranked as the richest capital city in the nation, and it was named the number one city for young professionals by Forbes.

Ethanol

Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production, creating nearly 30% of all ethanol, or 3.9 billion gallons per year, according to the Iowa Promotion Board.

Field of Dreams

If you have never seen Field of Dreams, you're not a very good Iowan. And if you have actually visited the filming site in Dyersville, then you get bonus points!

Grant Wood

One of the most iconic American artists, Grant Wood, was born and raised right here in Iowa. He is most well known for his "American Gothic" painting, which is shown reproduced on this barn in Jones County.

Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, was born in West Branch, Iowa. The Herbert Hoover Birthplace and childhood home is now a National Historic Landmark.

Iowa Cubs

Iowa's professional baseball team, the Iowa Cubs, play at Principal Park in Des Moines. If you want to be considered a true Iowan, you should probably go to at least one of their games, even if you don't like baseball!

John Wayne

Western film star John Wayne was born Marion Morrison in a little house in Winterset, Iowa. The Duke's childhood home is now open as the John Wayne Museum.

Keosauqua

Keosauqua is one of the Villages of Van Buren, a cluster of tiny towns known for their historic charm and simple way of life.

Loess Hills

The Loess Hills of western Iowa are formed by a clay-like substance called loess soil, and they run for 200 miles along the Missouri River. They are truly one of the most remarkable sights that you will ever see. In fact, the only other place you can see anything like this is in Shaanxi, China.

Maid Rites

These favorite loose meat sandwiches got their start in Muscatine, Iowa, when Fred Angell opened the first Maid Rite restaurant in 1926.

National Balloon Classic

The National Balloon Classic, which is held in Indianola each year, is a 9-day festival of hot air ballooning, fireworks, live music, and other fun.

Okoboji

One of the "Iowa Great Lakes," Okoboji is a favorite vacation spot for many Iowans, and is well-known for its gorgeous beaches and bright blue water.

Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park is a gorgeous area overlooking the Mississippi River, and it happens to be one of the most photographed places in Iowa.

Quilts

Barn quilts, more specifically. No matter where you drive, you're sure to encounter one of these beauties on almost any barn you pass.

Red Rock Reservoir

Located in Marion County, you can get the best view of Red Rock Reservoir from the nearby Cordova Observation Tower.

Surf Ballroom

Surf Ballroom and Museum in Clear Lake is a Historic Rock and Roll Landmark that has seen many famous performers, most notably Buddy Holly, who played his last performance here before the tragic plane crash that killed him.

Tenderloins

There's nothing in the world like an Iowa pork tenderloin.

Upper Iowa River

The Upper Iowa River is one of the most beautiful places in the state, marked by the towering bluffs that sit on the river's edge. The 156-mile long river runs through the cities of Chester, Lime Springs, Florenceville, Kendallville, Bluffton, and Decorah.

Vesterheim

The Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum in Decorah is an absolutely amazing, premiere museum for anything Norwegian American. They were recently named one of the "15 Best Small Town Museums in the U.S" by Fodor's.

Wind farms

Iowa is one of the states leading the nation in wind energy. In 2014, Iowa produced 28% of its electricity from wind power, which was the first in the nation, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

Xanthium strumarium

Or, as normal people call them, cockleburs! These are those annoying little plants that get stuck to you when you go out hiking or hunting in Iowa.

Yellow River State Forest

Located in Allamakee County, Yellow River State Forest is a great place to do a little hiking, or maybe some camping, in one of Iowa's gorgeous state forests.

Zwingle

Zwingle is a tiny town in Dubuque and Jackson counties that has a population of around 91. We're not quite sure how they came up with the town name, but for the purpose of this list, we're glad they picked something with a Z.

Obviously this Iowa A-z list just barely scratches the surface, (there are only 26 letters, after all) but it's a good start! What are some things that you would add? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! And definitely take a look at these extra fun facts about Iowa.

If this article has you wondering "what is living in Iowa like?" You might want to check out our list of reasons that you should want to live in Iowa. There is so much wonderful stuff about our state, and these ten reasons are just the tip of the iceberg.