The State of Indiana (IPAc-enen-us-Indiana.ogg?ndi?�n?) is a U.S. state, the 19th admitted to the Union (United States). It is located in the Great Lakes Region (Great Lakes region (North America)), and with approximately 6.3 million residents, is ranked 16th in population and 17th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area, and is the smallest state in the continental US (Continental United States) west of the Appalachian Mountains. Its capital (Capital (political)) and largest city is Indianapolis, the largest of any state capital east of the Mississippi River.

Indiana has several metropolitan areas with populations greater than 100,000 as well as a number of smaller industrial cities and small towns. It is home to several major sports teams and athletic events including the NFLs (National Football League) Indianapolis Colts, the NBAs (National Basketball Association) Indiana Pacers, the Indianapolis 500 motorsports race (auto racing) (which is the largest single-day sporting event in the world).

Residents of Indiana are known as Hoosiers, but the origin of the term is unknown. Many explanations are given, including the humorous ones of James Whitcomb Riley stating that Indiana pioneers would yell out "Whos there?" in the wilderness or "Whose ear?" after a brawl. The states name means "Land of the Indians (Native Americans in the United States)", or simply "Indian Land". This name dates back to at least the 1768 and was first used by Congress when the Indiana Territory was incorporated in 1800, before which it had been part of the Northwest Territory.

Prior to this, Indiana had been inhabited by varying cultures of indigenous peoples and historic American Indians for thousands of years. Angel Mounds State Historic Site (Angel Mounds), one of the best preserved ancient earthwork mounds sites in the United States, can be found in Southwestern Indiana near Evansville (Evansville, Indiana).