Indiana became the 19th state in the United States on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States, with a total area of 36,418 square miles (94,321 square kilometers). It is bordered by Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the south and southeast, and the Wabash River and Illinois to the west.
The state of Indiana has a population of 6,785,528, which makes it the 17th-most populous U.S. state.
The main counties are: Marion County, Lake County, Allen County, Hamilton County and St. Joseph County. Indianapolis is its capital and largest city. Other well known cities, in order of population, are Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and Fishers.
Vital records in Indiana are held at the Indiana State Department of Health. Birth and death records have been kept since October 1907.