scubish.com: Scuba diving Des Moines - Washington - USA

Understand

Des Moines is the capital of Iowa, which rests in the midwestern region of the United States of America. Des Moines is located in Polk County. Iowa touches the Mississippi River on its eastern edge and Missouri River on its western side. Des Moines is approximately 500 miles south of the Canada/US border and the city is in the south-central portion of the state. Des Moines and all of Iowa sit in the Central Standard Time zone (CST) which is six hours behind GMT.

The meaning of 'Des Moines' itself is not clear as local Native Americans, the Moingona, had already been using a term which meant 'river of the mounds' due to the number of burial mounds which were popular in the area. French Trappist Monks (Moines de la Trappe) called their settlement areas at the mouth of the Des Moines river 'La Riviere des Moines' which, in English, translates to 'the river of the monks.' "De Moyn," which means "middle," may have been used on the map of French explorer Jacques Marquette to help others locate the Des Moines River-area which is equidistant between the larger Mississippi and Missouri rivers. "Des Moines," today pronounced "Duh Moyne," also benefits from the Raccoon River.

In 1843, the War Department set up a military garrison, to be known as Fort Des Moines, following the advice from an Indian Agent named John Dougherty who was serving in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Dougherty's recommendation was to create a military fort at the mouth of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. The intent of this military post was to provide troops to protect the Sac (Sak) and Fox tribes from abusive settlers, traders, and the prowling Sioux. Fort Des Moines was settled in May of 1843 by a group of dragoons from the Sac and Fox Agency (Fort Sanford) led by Captain James Allen. Originally, Allen was going to name the area Fort Raccoon but was instructed by the War Department to use the name Fort Des Moines. It was in 1846, after the Fort had dissolved that same year, the city of Des Moines was officially created.

In 2003, US Census Bureau data estimated the population of Des Moines proper to be at 196,093. Polk County, according to 2005 estimates, had a population of 401,006. The Des Moines metro area is estimated at over 600,000 persons. Des Moines covers 76 square miles with a population density of 2,621.3 persons per square mile. Des Moines has a 82.3% makeup of white persons, according to the Census.

Weather
The climate of Des Moines is as varied as the inhabitants who live here. In the summer, temperatures can reach more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit; in the winter, meanwhile, temperatures often plunge below zero degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill factors several degrees less. The spring is varied, with times of cold (low 40s), hard rains or moments of abnormal warmth (mid-70s). Fall is probably the most sustained time of year, as temperatures in the day are typically 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. September...