The term 'The Hawkeye State' is a nickname for the U.S. state of Iowa. The state's name is often abbreviated to four letters, IOWA. Iowa is located in the Midwestern United States and is bordered by six states. It is known for its agricultural production, particularly corn and soybeans, and its manufacturing industry. The state is also home to the University of Iowa, which is the state's flagship public university. The nickname 'The Hawkeye State' is derived from the character of Hawkeye in James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Last of the Mohicans.