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Des Moines is the capital of and the most populous city in the State of Iowa, United States. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, owing its name to the Des Moines River (French: Rivière Des Moines, meaning "River of the Monks"), until it was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857. It is also the county seat of Polk County. The five-county metropolitan area is ranked 92nd in terms of population in the United States according to 2006 estimates with 534,230 residents according to United States Census Bureau.
Des Moines is a major center for the insurance industry and also has a sizeable financial services and publishing business base. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group, the Meredith Corporation, and Ruan Transportation. Other major corporations such as Wells Fargo, ING Group, Marsh, and Pioneer Hi-Bred have large operations in or near the metro area. Forbes Magazine ranked Des Moines as the fourth "Best Place for Business" in 2007.
Recently, Des Moines has been experiencing rapid growth in the western and southern suburbs and is quickly becoming a large metropolitan area and national center for financial business.

Of Interest

News from The Des Moines Register

Study: Higher ethanol blends don’t boost emissions

Oct 7, 2008 6:53 pm

Ethanol fuels don’t increase tailpipe emissions, but mileage drops when gas contains as much as 20 percent alcohol, a new study finds.

Congress eases way for Midwest pipeline

Oct 7, 2008 6:06 pm

A provision that received little notice in the federal bailout package in Congress could have a significant impact on Iowa’s burgeoning ethanol industry.

Greenwald: Renewable energy is Iowa’s future

Oct 7, 2008 6:04 pm

Iowa must focus even more upon renewable fuels as a key way to grow the economy and halt the diminishing size of rural schools, 4th Congressional District candidate Becky Greenwald said today.

Charges filed in ISU student’s falling injury

Oct 7, 2008 2:43 pm

Charges have been filed in connection with an accidental fall from the FarmHouse fraternity in Ames on Sept. 7.

Today’s Inbox: Panic isn’t what you want to see in presidential candidate

Oct 7, 2008 12:55 pm

With less than 30 days left before the election and McCain-Palin falling in the polls, it’s obvious the panic has set in.

Ky. deputy, wanted in slaying, captured in Iowa

Oct 7, 2008 12:10 pm

SMITHS GROVE, Ky. - Iowa authorities say they’ve captured a Kentucky sheriff’s deputy accused of killing his ex-girlfriend.

Man with cast on foot ’ran from scene’ in Des Moines

Oct 7, 2008 12:05 pm

Des Moines police say they arrested a man who wears a cast on his foot and walks with a cane.

Replay today’s chat: Marianenette Miller-Meeks (R), 2nd district congressional candidate

Oct 7, 2008 11:21 am

Marianenette Miller-Meeks, a Republican running to represent Iowa’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives, chatted online with DesMoinesRegister.com viewers today. She is challeng...

Des Moines man treated for bullet wounds

Oct 7, 2008 11:01 am

A Des Moines man was treated for bullet wounds at a local hospital Monday night following a botched robbery attempt.

Metro Communities

Oct 7, 2008 5:15 am

Roundup of news from across the Des Moines area

Greg Norman's Southern Cross Developments Selects River Rim Ranch

Greg Norman’s Southern Cross Developments, proprietor of the exclusive “Norman Estates” real estate brand, is pleased to announce that River Rim Ranch in Teton Valley, Idaho will be the location for its newest project, the “Norman Ranch Estates. [Read More]

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