Ohio is a state in the Midwest and the thirty-fourth largest state in the U.S. Additionally, the Buckeye state is the tenth most densely populated and seventh most populous state. Columbus is the state’s capital and the largest city in Ohio. Additionally, it is bordered by West Virginia to the southeast, Pennsylvania to the east, Lake Erie to the North, Indiana to the west, Kentucky to the southwest, and Michigan to the northwest. But just how big is Ohio?
How Big is Ohio in Acres, Kilometers, and Miles?
Ever wonder how big Ohio is in square miles, kilometers, or acres? For example, the Buckeye State spans over 44,825 square miles. Below is a table of the size of the state in the various measurements.
Measurement | Area |
---|---|
Square miles | 44,825.58 |
Square kilometers | 116,098 |
Acres | 28,688,976.78 |
How Big is Ohio Compared to the Largest State?
Alaska is 15 times bigger than Ohio! To put things into perspective, Montana, Texas, and California combined can fit into Alaska. Furthermore, Alaska is 5.7 times taller and 10.9 times wider than the Buckeye State. However, Ohio has more people, 258 times per square mile more than Alaska.
How Big is Ohio Compared to the Smallest State?
Ohio is approximately 39 times bigger than Rhode Island. The smallest state in the U.S. is only 1,214 square miles. Furthermore, it has a population of 1.1 million, while the Buckeye State has a population of approximately 11.8 million people.
Wildlife in Ohio
Ohio has four types of natural surroundings, grasslands, backwoods, Lakes, and wetlands, offering a diverse environment for many animals. For example, the state hosts 45 species of snakes, 67 types of vertebrates, 219 bird species, and 39 types of mammals and aquatic animals. This includes the white-tailed deer, American bullfrog, snapping turtle, and coyote.
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer is the most well-known species in Ohio, often called whitetail. This deer occurs throughout the state in nature preserves, wildlife areas, and even backyards of suburban and rural areas. The white-tailed deer is the only big game animal in the state, so it has provided the state’s inhabitants with food and pelts for centuries, including the Native Americans who lived in the area.
American Bullfrog
The American bullfrog is the largest frog in the USA. Their calls are deep and reverberate from Ohio’s marshes, ponds, and streams throughout the warmer months. Additionally, their calls can be heard from up to a mile away. Bullfrogs are true frogs, as they belong to the Ranidae family. Other members of this family include:
- Green frogs
- Northern leopard frogs
- Southern leopard frogs
- Wood frogs
- Pickerel frogs
Other frogs, like chorus, tree, and cricket frogs, belong to the Hylidae family. However, true frogs have relatively smooth and moist skin and leap.
Snapping Turtle
Ohio is home to the common snapping turtle. However, they are rarely seen throughout the year because they seldom bask in the sun, except during spring. So, while they have large populations in the state, they are not seen as often as other turtles. Snapping turtles inhabit brackish or fresh water with abundant vegetation and muddy bottoms. In addition, their diet consists of aquatic plants, invertebrates, fish, carrion, small mammals, and birds.
Coyote
In 1878, the last of the wolves, black bears, and pumas were driven out of Ohio by deforestation and hunting. About 40 years later, the coyotes from western regions of the USA arrived in the state and were welcomed by vast farmlands where the forests once stood. This was the perfect environment for them as there were no larger predators to compete with and many small animals to hunt. So, they decided to stay, and the population thrived.
Popular Attractions in Ohio
Ohio is a fantastic state to visit if you want an escape to nature, a small-town retreat, or a cosmopolitan getaway. Many of the state’s best cultural attractions are located in Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati.
Popular Attractions in Ohio
Ohio is a fantastic state to visit if you want an escape to nature, a small-town retreat, or a cosmopolitan getaway. Many of the state’s best cultural attractions are located in Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati.
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Cedar Point amusement park is one of the most popular summer destinations in the Buckeye State. The park sits on the shores of Lake Erie near Sandusky and offers 17 roller coasters, live entertainment, and several kiddies areas. Furthermore, Cedar Point Shores Water Park is adjacent to the amusement park and offers thrilling water rides and adventures. The water park has a lazy river, a wave pool, kiddies pools, and a 60-story aqua drop water slide. Needless to say, you will never get bored while visiting the area. Additionally, the resort provides various types of accommodation, including hotels, cabins, and camping. Lastly, the park sits on Cedar Point Beach, so guests can enjoy water sports on the lake, like parasailing, jet skiing, and kayaking.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
For all those music lovers, visiting Ohio means taking a tour of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which lies on Cleveland’s waterfront. The museum offers guests a comprehensive look at rock and roll history, featuring all the greats from different periods, like the Beatles, Marvin Gaye, and the Jackson 5. Additionally, the seven floors of the building hold unique musical instruments, interactive exhibits, and costumes. The building was designed by an architect named I.M. Pei, and it is one of the most recognized structures in the United States.
Hocking Hills State Park
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the natural ruggedness of the Hocking Hills State Park, situated near Logan, Ohio. The park offers caves, hiking trails, cottages, and camping facilities. This park is ranked one of the best weekend getaways in the state, especially in the fall when the leaves change colors. Regular events are hosted in the park throughout the year, and thousands of tourists descend to the area for hiking, bird watching, caves, and photography. Other outdoor activities include:
- Ziplining
- Canoeing
- Rock climbing
But, the most popular areas to visit in Hocking Hills State Park include Cantwell Cliffs, Old Man’s Cave, Rock House, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave.
Amish Country
If you really want to escape life’s hustle and bustle, why not drive through Amish Country on a summer’s day? The simplicity of the Amish lifestyle is a great way to unwind. Enjoy shopping in the small communities, which offer everything from locally made cheeses to household goods, ice cream, candy, produce, and more. While these communities span over five counties, the best area to visit is along the Amish Country Byway in Holmes County. Visitors will need the whole day to drive through the villages of Charm, Walnut, Creek, and Berlin if they want to stop at the numerous cheese factories and bakeries or for coffee. Furthermore, many people visit the communities to buy Amish-made furniture, gifts, and antiques. But, if you choose to visit the Amish on a Sunday, you will be sorely disappointed, as this is their holy day, and everything is closed.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.