Living in Ohio

The Buckeye State is rich in mammals. White-tailed deer, badger, mink, raccoon, red and gray foxes, coyote, beaver, eastern cottontail, woodchuck, least shrew, and opossum are found throughout the state's five wildlife districts; the bobcat, woodland jumping mouse, and red-backed mole are among many species with more restricted habitats. Common birds include the eastern great blue heron, green-winged teal, mourning dove, eastern belted kingfisher, eastern horned lark, blue-gray gnatcatcher, eastern cowbird, and a great variety of ducks, woodpeckers, and warblers; the cardinal is the state bird, and the ruffed grouse, mostly confined to the Allegheny Plateau, is a favorite game species. Bass, pickerel, perch, carp, pike, trout, catfish, sucker, and darter thrive in Ohio's lakes and streams. The snapping, midland painted, and spiny soft-shelled turtles, five-lined skink, northern water snake, midland brown snake, eastern hognose, and eastern milk snake appear throughout Ohio. The northern copperhead, eastern massasauga (swamp rattler), and timber rattlesnake are Ohio's only poisonous reptiles. Fowler's toad, bullfrog, green pickerel frog, and marbled and red-backed salamanders are common native amphibians.

Acting on the premise that the largest problem facing wildlife is the destruction of their habitat, the Division of Wildlife of the Department of Natural Resources has instituted an ambitious endangered species program. The US Fish and Wildlife Service listed 20 Ohio animal species as threatened or endangered in 2003, including the bald eagle, Indiana bat, Scioto madtom, and piping plover.

Government

Officials elected statewide are the governor and lieutenant governor (elected jointly), secretary of state, attorney general, auditor, and treasurer, all of whom serve four-year terms. (The 19 members of the state Board of Education, who serve six-year terms, are also elected by voters.) Effective in 1959, a constitutional amendment changed the governor's term from two to four years and forbade a governor from serving more than two successive terms. The governor appoints the heads of executive departments, as well as the adjutant general and members of most statutory boards. Candidates for governor must be 18 years old, US citizens, qualified voters, and state residents. .

To vote in Ohio, one must be a US citizen, at least 18 years old, and have been a state resident for at least 30 days prior to election day. Restrictions apply to convicted felons and those declared mentally incompetent by the court.

Attractions

Fairport Breakwall Lighthouse

Focal height and coordinates are taken from the 1907 United States Coast Guard Light List, while location and dates of activation, automation, and deactivation are taken from the United States Coast Guard Historical information site for lighthouses.

Amusement Parks

The Beach at Adventure Landing is a 35-acre water park 24 miles northeast of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio. Previously known as The Beach Waterpark, it features 10 water attractions, several children's areas, sand volleyball and basketball courts, pool-side beverage service and other special events

Cedar Point is a 364-acre amusement park located on a Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio. Opened in 1870, it is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the United States behind Lake Compounce. Cedar Point is owned and operated by Cedar Fair and is considered the flagship of the amusement park chain. Known as "America's Roller Coast", the park features a world-record 71 rides, including 17 roller coasters

Coney Island is a small amusement park and waterpark located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Anderson Township, on the banks of the Ohio River 10 miles east of Downtown Cincinnati.

Jungle Jack's Landing is a small amusement park attached to and owned by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio. The park was originally part of Wyandot Lake before the zoo purchased the property in 2006, splitting it into two separate sections. The water park became known as Zoombezi Bay while the dry ride area became Jungle Jack's Landing. The amusement park was named after zoo director emeritus Jack Hanna and opened on May 26, 2008. It debuted with 16 rides and attractions.

Kings Island is a 364-acre amusement park located 24 miles northeast of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio. Owned and operated by Cedar Fair, the park first opened in 1972 by the Taft Broadcasting Company. The park features over 100 attractions including fifteen roller coasters and a 33-acre water park.

Memphis Kiddie Park is an 11-ride amusement park located in Brooklyn, Ohio, designed specifically for children and families. The park is home to the "Little Dipper" roller coaster—the oldest operating steel roller coaster in North America.

Stricker's Grove is a family owned amusement park located in Ross, Ohio. Unlike other amusement parks, Stricker's Grove is closed to the public for most of the year. Instead, it is rented out for private functions, such as weddings. The park is open to the public for 8 days of every year, on July 4, 4 days in mid July for the Hamilton County 4-H Community Fair, the second Sunday in August (Family Day), Labor Day, and a Sunday in October called "Customer Appreciation Day".

Tuscora Park is a municipal park that features a carousel, Ferris wheel, train and other rides, along with miniature golf and batting cages. Tuscora Park was originally built as a project of the Works Progress Administration; original stone work gates, paths and retaining walls still adorn the park. The park is now the home of the Park Place Teen Center, a facility for high school students that provides entertainment of all types. Events at the park include a Summer Showcase and the annual First Town Days festival.

National Parks

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discovery for visitors. The winding Cuyahoga River gives way to deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. Walk or ride the Towpath Trail to follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Three exceptional men from Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar, found their creative outlet here through accomplishments and failures, and finally success. However, these men offered the world something far greater, they offered the world hope, and the ability to take a dream and make it a reality.

Earthen mounds and embankments forming huge geometric enclosures grace the landscape of the Ohio River Valley. These monumental structures were built by Native American hands almost 2,000 years ago. Hopewellian people gathered at these earthworks for feasts, funerals and rites of passage. Come learn about these sacred spaces and reflect upon the lives of these American Indians.

Aviation is chock-full of tradition & history and nowhere will you find a richer collection of aviation than here, the birthplace of aviation. From the straightforward bicycle shops that fostered the Wright brothers' flying ambitions to the complex spacecraft that carried man to the moon, the National Aviation Heritage Area has everything you need to learn about this country’s aviation legacy.

Come to the North Country. Trek the hills and valleys. Lakes and streams remain from glaciers 10,000 years before. Here you’ll find clear-flowing water, the red and gold of autumn, a fairyland of snow, wide open prairies, and distant horizons. Historic sites along the way tell the story of how America settled and grew as a nation. From New York to North Dakota, you're never far from adventure.

Wayne National Forest

National Forest

Ohio's only National Forest, Wayne is located in the Appalachian foothills and has over 300 miles of trails. The North Country Trail passes through several sections of the forest.

Sports

Ohio played a central role in the development of both Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Baseball's first fully professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869, were organized in Ohio. An informal early 20th century American football association, the Ohio League, was the direct predecessor of the NFL, although neither of Ohio's modern NFL franchises trace their roots to an Ohio League club. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton.

On a smaller scale, Ohio hosts minor league baseball, arena football, indoor football, mid-level hockey, and lower division soccer.

Taxes

• Income tax: 0.495% - 4.997%
• Local income tax: 0% - 3%
• Sales tax: 6.5% - 8%
• Property tax: 1.56% effective rate
• Gas tax: 28.01 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and diesel

Transportation

Aviation

The Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport serves nearly 12 million passengers every year. The airport has many shops and restaurants, ATMs, a chapel, currency exchange, business and convention centers, lounges. The airport also offers special assistance for people with disabilities. It has TTY phones, wheelchair assistance, wheelchair accessible toilets, handicapped accessible lifts and parking for people with disabilities.

Ports

• Ohio truly is a Maritime State with 716 miles of navigable waterways surrounding the state on three sides.
• Ohio is 8th in the Nation for total water tonnage moved
• Ohio’s maritime ports and river terminals handle over 103 million tons of commodities valued at $11 Billion worth of cargo per year.
• Ohio’s Lake Erie and Ohio River ferry boat lines move over one and a half million passengers along with hundreds of thousands of freight tons of cargo per year

Rail

Roads

Ohio Housing

Ohio Cities & Villages

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Ohio - Birthplace of Aviation History, Geography, Homes, and State Resources of Ohio Ohio USA Map Since 1803 when Ohio was admitted to the Union, it's geographic central location has proven to be an essential link between the states in the Northeast and the balance of the southern and western expanses of the country. With a strong diverse population, a mixed economy based upon both industrial manufacturing and agriculture, with affordable housing and a mixture of urban and rural populations - Ohio continues to be the true American crossroads Ohio's biggest employment sector continues to be transportation and trade followed by education and health care, federal employment, hi-tech and professional services, and manufacturing. Ohio is typically ranked in the lists of top 10 for the best business climates and largest economies and of all 50 states, with practically 60 major corporations calling the the state home including Abercrombie & Fitch in New Albany, Goodyear in Akron, Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, AK Steel in West Chester Township, and Wendy's in Columbus. First explored for France by Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, in 1669, the Ohio region became British property after the French and Indian Wars. Ohio was acquired by the U.S. after the Revolutionary War in 1783. In 1788, the first permanent settlement was established at Marietta, capital of the Northwest Territory. The 1790s saw severe fighting with the Indians in Ohio; a major battle was won by Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne at Fallen Timbers in 1794. In the War of 1812, Commodore Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie on Sept. 10, 1813 Climate Ohio is located in the humid continental zone and has a generally temperate climate. Winters are cold and summers mild in the eastern highlands. The southern region has the warmest temperatures and longest growing season—198 days on the average, compared with 150 to 178 days in the remainder of the state. Demography Ohio Geography, Facts and History Ohio Facts & Trivia Ohio Flags Famous People from Ohio Ohio Timeline Ohio Official Song Economy Ohio is most often noted as the Nation's Industrial Capital, dating to its roots in the Rust Belt and Ohio's present-day intelligence and scientific dominance. Ohio was one of four states in the U.S. to have areas make the Intelligent Community Forum's list of global Smart 21 Communities for 2014, with Columbus, Ohio receiving the honors. Ohio has 5 of the top 115 colleges in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2010 rankings, Education Ohio Colleges. Ohio University, the first university in the Northwest Territory, was also the first public institution in Ohio. Substantially, the system in Ohio is similar to that in other states. At the state level, the Ohio Department of Education, overseen by the Ohio State Board of Education, is responsible for the administration of primary and secondary schools. At the municipal level, there are around 700 school districts nationwide. The Ohio Board of Regents coordinates and assists with Ohio's higher education institutions, which were recently reorganized into the University System of Ohio under Governor Strickland. The system has an average annual enrollment of over 400,000 students, making it one of the top five state university systems in the United States. Flora and Fauna Ohio State Flower - Scarlet carnation Ohio State Tree Ohio Buckeye