Des Moines is the capital of Iowa, and is located in the central part of the state.  The population of Des Moines in 2000 was 198,682 people.

            Des Moines is located at the juncture of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers.  Fort Des Moines was first established in the area in 1843 to protect the Sauk and Fox Indians.  The area was opened to white settlers two years later in 1845.

            East Des Moines developed eleven years later in 1856, and had soon connected with Fort Des Moines, which formed the present day city.  Des Moines became Iowas capital in 1857 (Iowa City was the old capital).  Des Moines, which is Iowa's largest city, is a communications hub and a major commercial manufacturing, governmental, and publishing center (especially for farm journals). Des Moines is the site of Drake University (established in 1881) and home to the KRNT Theatre, one of the nations largest!