Situated in the Midwestern and Great Lakes regions of North America. Indiana is the 19th state to join the Union (on December 11, 1816 ) and with a population of 6,616,895 is today the 16th most populous state. Known as the The Hoosier State, Lincoln's Boyhood Home. State Abbreviation: IN Capital City:Indianapolis Largest City:Indianapolis Number of Counties: 92 Area: 36,418 square miles Major Rivers: Ohio River, Wabash River, White River, Tippecanoe River Major Lakes: Mississinewa Lake, Lake Michigan Highest Point:Hoosier Hill 1,257 feet above sea level State Motto: The Crossroads of America State Bird: Northern cardinal State Fish: Largemouth Bass' State Tree: Tulip Tree State Flower: Peony State Gemstone: Salem Limestone