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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

State leaders approve U of I investigation bill

Oct 13, 2008 7:10 pm

The Iowa Executive Council unanimously approved today the final installment of a $247,588 bill to a St. Louis law firm that investigated how the University of Iowa handled an alleged sexual assault.

Principal exec discusses health survey results

Oct 13, 2008 7:08 pm

More Americans are changing their behavior when it comes to taking care of their health, a new EBRI Health Confidence Survey, which is underwritten by Des Moines-based Principal Financial Group, shows...

Boswell: Bailout may not be enough

Oct 13, 2008 5:25 pm

Congressman Leonard Boswell said today he was unsure if the financial package he supported last month would restore confidence in the credit market.

2nd out-of-state teen dropped at Omaha hospital

Oct 13, 2008 4:47 pm

OMAHA, Neb. - A second teenager from outside Nebraska has been left at an Omaha hospital under the state’s unique safe-haven law, apparently after his parent flew to the city specifically to ...

Latham pushes back against challenger

Oct 13, 2008 3:51 pm

Rep. Tom Latham’s campaign is pushing back at Democratic challenger Becky Greenwald, accusing her of supporting “reckless and greedy Wall Street” executives.

Principal expects earnings to fall, stock rises

Oct 13, 2008 2:33 pm

The Des Moines company says its preliminary results for the third quarter were "very solid" and says its capital position is strong.

What’s open, what’s closed for Columbus Day

Oct 13, 2008 2:22 pm

In observance of Columbus Day today, post offices will be closed and there will be no home deliveries except for express mail.

School bus accident injures driver near Prairie City

Oct 13, 2008 2:19 pm

PRAIRIE CITY - Jasper County sheriff’s officials say a school bus driver has been injured in an accident five miles west of Prairie City.

Owner of malls, including 3 in Iowa, may face takeover

Oct 13, 2008 1:43 pm

The financial situation has deteriorated quickly at General Growth, which has three Iowa locations.

Today’s Inbox: McCain helped deregulate banks

Oct 13, 2008 1:15 pm

As one member of the Keating Five in 1989, Sen. John McCain provided insider favors for close friend and owner of bankrupt Lincoln Savings & Loan, Charles Keating, by pressuring federal regulators...

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