Indiana is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th state on December 11, 1816. Abbreviation: IN Capital: Indianapolis Temperature: 54 degrees, sunny Time: 2:00pm (EST) As of April 2, 2006, most of Indiana is in the Eastern time zone, except 18 counties* in northwest and southwest Indiana that have remained or changed to the  Central time zone . Nickname: The Hoosier State Population: 6.8 million (PA 12.8) Size: 36,418 sq mi (PA 46,000) Cost of Living: $42,697 (PA $49,040) Minimum Wage: $7.25 (PA $7.25) Statehood: December 11, 1816 State Flag:  The torch stands for liberty and enlightenment; the rays represent their far-reaching influence. The thirteen stars in a circle represent the original thirteen states; the five stars in the circle represent the next five states; the large star is ...

Illinois is a midwestern state bordering Indiana in the east and the Mississippi River in the west. Nicknamed "the Prairie State," it's marked by farmland, forests, rolling hills and wetlands. Chicago, one of the largest cities in the U.S, is in the northeast on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s famous for its skyscrapers, such as sleek, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower.   Abbreviation: IL Capital: Springfield Temperature: 58 degrees, rain showers Time: 1:00pm (1 hour behind us) Nickname: The Prairie State This nickname was given to Illinois by the first settlers to arrive here  due to the vast expanses of prairie . Population: 12.67 million (PA 12.8) Size: 57,915 sq mi (PA 46,000) Statehood: December 3, 1818 State Flag:  State Motto:  State Sovereignty, National Union. The state motto means that  Illinois governs itself under the government of the United States . In the eagle's claws is a shield with thirteen bars and thirteen stars, this...