The Ohio Territory was a region established in 1787 as part of the Northwest Ordinance, which organized the land northwest of the Ohio River. It was created to facilitate the settlement and governance of this area, which would eventually become several states, including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The territory was significant for its role in westward expansion and the development of new communities. The first capital was located in Chillicothe, and the territory was governed by a series of appointed officials until it achieved statehood in 1803, becoming the first state formed from the Northwest Territory.