Indiana Local Business Directory

Residents of Indiana are known as Hoosiers; while the exact derivation of this nickname is not known, it has become a point of pride for many Indiana natives. The state's name has its roots in the numerous American Indian tribes who called this fertile inland area home. At various times, Indiana was inhabited by Miami, Illini, Shawnee and Iroquois tribes. With the expansion of the U.S. westward, Indiana became first a part of the Northwest Territory and then achieved statehood in 1816.

Indiana suffered significant economic losses during the Great Depression. The state's economy rebounded due to increased production demands created by U.S. involvement in World War II. After the war's conclusion, Indiana continued to expand its industrial base and became a leading force in steel production, automotive manufacturing and the pharmaceuticals development field. Today, Indiana's economy is highly diversified and includes manufacturing concerns, large-scale agricultural businesses and the research, development and production of pharmaceuticals for the national and global marketplace.

More than 75 percent of Indiana's population resides within the state's metropolitan areas. Sporting events are an important element of everyday life in the cities, especially Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts are frequent playoff contenders for the National Football League, and the Indiana Pacers deliver excitement for professional basketball fans in the state. The Indianapolis 500 is an annual auto race that draws an audience of a quarter-million people each year. College and high school sporting events are also popular with the residents of this state.