Missouri

Missouri is a state in the Midwestern part of the United States. It touches Iowa on the north, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee on the east, Arkansas on the south, and Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska on the west. Many people live there, and the biggest cities are St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia. The capital city is Jefferson City.

People have lived in Missouri for thousands of years. The Mississippian culture built cities with special dirt mounds. Later, the Osage and Missouria nations lived there. The French built towns such as Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis. The United States bought Missouri as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Today, Missouri is called the "Gateway to the West" and the "Show Me State." It has a mix of Midwestern and Southern culture. It is where musical styles like ragtime, Kansas City jazz, and St. Louis blues began. Missouri is famous for its barbecue and is a big place for making beer, home to Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest beer company. Popular places to visit include the Lake of the Ozarks and Branson. Well-known universities such as the University of Missouri and Washington University in St. Louis help make the state important for learning and business.

Etymology and pronunciation

Missouri is named after the Missouri River. The river was named for the indigenous Missouria tribe. French colonists changed their name, which means 'one who has dugout canoes'.

Missouri has many ways people say its name. Two common ways are mih-ZUR-ee and mih-ZUR-uh. People in Missouri say it differently, and there is no single "right" way.

Nicknames

Missouri is often called the "Show Me State". You can see this name on its license plates. This nickname comes from a speech by Congressman Willard Vandiver in 1899. It means people from Missouri want to see proof before they believe something. Missouri also has other nicknames like "The Cave State" because it has many caves—more than any state except Tennessee. The state's official motto is "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law."

History

Main article: History of Missouri

Early history

People lived in river valleys as early as 9000 BCE. Before the year 1000, groups called the Mississippian culture built big cities with large homes and earthwork mounds. One of their main cities, Cahokia, was near present-day Collinsville, Illinois. It was a center for trade, reaching north to the Great Lakes and south to the Gulf of Mexico. This civilization slowly declined by 1400 CE, and most people left before Europeans arrived.

The land that is now Missouri was part of many territories with changing borders. In the 1700s, French traders explored the area and named it Louisiana. French settlers from Canada created villages on both sides of the Mississippi River. The first European settlement in Missouri was Ste. Genevieve, founded around 1750. Early settlements included enslaved Africans and Native Americans, and farming was very important.

St. Louis was founded on February 14, 1764, by French fur traders. It became a key center for trading with Native American tribes. The invention of the steamboat helped St. Louis grow.

19th century

Missouri became part of the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. It was called the “Gateway to the West” because many settlers started their journeys to the western United States from here. St. Charles was where the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition began in 1804.

Missouri was historically part of the Southern United States. Many early settlers came from states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The state shook during the powerful 1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes, but few people were hurt.

Admission as a state in 1821

In 1821, Missouri joined the United States as a slave state under the Missouri Compromise. The capital was first in St. Charles and later moved to Jefferson City in 1826.

In the 1830s, people called Mormons began settling near Independence. Problems arose between them and earlier settlers, leading to conflict. By 1839, the Mormons were forced to leave Missouri.

Tensions over slavery grew, causing problems between Missouri and nearby states. Population grew quickly in the 1800s, with many new settlers from the North and South, as well as immigrants from Ireland and Germany.

Many farmers grew food for their families before the Civil War. Some larger farms were mostly in the “Little Dixie” area.

American Civil War

After Southern states began leaving the United States in 1861, Missouri’s legislature voted not to leave but wanted to support the Union. However, some leaders in Missouri wanted to join the Confederacy. This caused big disagreements in the state.

Union forces fought against Confederate supporters and local groups. The fighting caused trouble for families and communities.

Reconstruction and later 19th century

After the Civil War, Missouri stayed competitive in elections. However, racial segregation laws were put in place.

20th century

During the Progressive Era, leaders from Missouri worked to end corruption and improve government. Railroads helped Kansas City grow into a major transportation hub, and it also became an important place for meatpacking.

In the 1950s and 1960s, St. Louis and Kansas City lost jobs as factories closed. New highways allowed people to move to the suburbs. Both cities have been working to rebuild and attract new businesses.

21st century

In 2014, Missouri gained attention for protests that happened after an incident involving a police officer in Ferguson. In 2015, students at the University of Missouri protested against what they felt was poor handling of racist incidents on campus.

In 2018, plans were announced to move some government offices to Kansas City, and both Kansas City and St. Louis have been working to renew their downtown areas with new buildings and projects.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Missouri

Missouri touches eight different states, sharing its border with Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee to the east across the Mississippi River, Arkansas to the south, and Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska to the west. The northern and southern borders are straight lines, but the Missouri Bootheel stretches south between the St. Francis and Mississippi rivers. The two biggest rivers are the Mississippi River, which forms the eastern border, and the Missouri River, which runs from west to east through the state, linking the major cities of Kansas City and St. Louis.

Although Missouri is usually considered part of the Midwest today, it was once seen as a border state because of people from the South settling there.

Topography

North of the Missouri River, you’ll find the Northern Plains, which stretch into Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. These areas have gentle rolling hills left from ancient glaciation. Missouri has tall river bluffs along the Mississippi, Missouri, and Meramec Rivers. The southern part of the state rises into the Ozark Mountains, a high area with many hills and caves. The southeastern part, called the Missouri Bootheel, is flat, warm, and wet.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Missouri

Missouri has cool to cold winters and hot, humid summers. In the southern part, especially the Bootheel, summers can get even hotter and more humid. Because Missouri is far from big mountains or oceans, the weather can change a lot. Missouri is in Tornado Alley, so it often gets strong storms and tornadoes.

Flora and fauna

Main article: Wildlife of Missouri

Missouri has many different plants and animals. There is plenty of fresh water from the Mississippi River, Missouri River, Table Rock Lake, and Lake of the Ozarks, plus many smaller rivers and lakes. North of the Missouri River, the land is mostly rolling hills, while south of the river, there are lots of forests.

Counties

See also: List of counties in Missouri

Missouri has 114 counties and one special city, St. Louis. The biggest counties are St. Louis, Jackson, and St. Charles. Worth County is the smallest.

Cities and towns

See also: List of cities in Missouri and List of towns and villages in Missouri

Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri. The biggest cities are Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, and Independence.

St. Louis is the main city of the biggest area in Missouri, with 17 counties and the city of St. Louis itself; eight of these counties are in Illinois. Other big cities in this area include O'Fallon, St. Charles, St. Peters, Florissant, Chesterfield, Wentzville, Wildwood, University City, Ballwin, and Kirkwood.

Kansas City is Missouri’s largest city and the main city of the Kansas City area, which includes fourteen counties and five counties in Kansas. Other big cities here are Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Liberty, Raytown, Gladstone, Grandview, and Belton.

Springfield is Missouri’s third-largest city and the main city of the Springfield-Branson area. Branson is a popular tourist spot in the Ozarks. Other cities in this area are Nixa, Ozark, and Republic.

Demographics

Missouri has more than six million people, making it the 19th-most populous state in the United States. In 2019, the population was about 6.1 million, a small increase since 2010.

Most people in Missouri live in St. Louis and Kansas City. The state has people from many backgrounds, including German, Irish, English, and French. There are also communities from Mexico, China, India, Vietnam, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Missouri has many different religions. Many people are Protestant or Roman Catholic, but there are also people with other religions or none at all. The state has many industries, including agriculture, aerospace, and manufacturing. Missouri is known for producing soybeans, pork, and wine. The state also has important resources like limestone and lead.

Culture

Music

Main article: Music of Missouri

Missouri has been home to many famous musicians. Some well-known names include rock pioneer Chuck Berry, singer Josephine Baker, and pop artist Sheryl Crow. The state also has strong ties to country music with artists like Sara Evans and Rhonda Vincent. Famous rap artists such as Eminem were born or lived in Missouri, and the state has many music theaters, especially in Branson.

Literature

Missouri is the birthplace of famous author Mark Twain, who wrote classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Other notable writers from Missouri include Kate Chopin and Tennessee Williams. Writer William Least Heat-Moon is known for his book Blue Highways, which tells stories about small towns across America.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Missouri

Missouri has a rich sports history. The state hosted the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, the first time the Olympic Games were held in the United States. Today, Missouri is home to several professional sports teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals in baseball, and the Kansas City Chiefs in football.

Heritage

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park protects the history of Missouri's oldest European settlement. The park features historic buildings, including examples of special French Colonial architecture.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Missouri and List of governors of Missouri

Missouri’s government has three parts: laws, courts, and leaders. Laws are made by two groups: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The courts include the Supreme Court and other lower courts. Leaders are led by the Governor, who works with other elected leaders.

Missouri has had important leaders in the past, like Harry S Truman, who became the 33rd President of the United States. The state has also changed how people vote for leaders over time.

Former status as a political bellwether

Further information: Political party strength in Missouri

For many years, Missouri often chose the same leaders as the rest of the country in big elections. But now, it more often chooses leaders from one group of people.

Alcohol and tobacco laws

Main articles: Alcohol laws of Missouri and List of smoking bans in the United States § Missouri

Missouri has relaxed rules about alcohol and tobacco. It is easy to buy alcohol in many places, and there are few limits on where and how tobacco can be used. This is because many people in Missouri prefer fewer rules.

Cannabis laws

See also: Cannabis in Missouri

In recent years, Missouri has changed its rules about a certain plant. Voters approved rules that allow doctors to recommend a special type of this plant for health reasons.

Education

Main article: Education in Missouri

The Missouri State Board of Education takes care of public schools in the state. It has eight members picked by the governor and approved by the Missouri Senate.

Children in Missouri must go to school from age seven to seventeen. They can go to public, private, or home schools. Kids aged five to seven can go to school if their parents want them to, but it is not required. Missouri schools are usually divided into three levels: elementary, middle (or junior high), and high school. Sports and competitions in high schools are managed by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

Homeschooling is allowed in Missouri and does not need special approval from the state.

Missouri has many colleges and universities. The University of Missouri System includes schools in Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Rolla. Other schools include Truman State University, University of Central Missouri, and Southeast Missouri State University. Private schools like Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University are also well known.

Transportation

Missouri has two big airports: St. Louis Lambert International Airport and Kansas City International Airport. In the south, Springfield–Branson National Airport has many flights, and people in the middle of Missouri use Columbia Regional Airport to visit cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Denver.

The state is important for trains. Kansas City and St. Louis are busy places for freight trains, and Amtrak passenger trains stop in many cities. St. Louis has a large light rail system called MetroLink, and Kansas City has its own streetcar system that began in 2016.

Many cities and towns have bus services, and companies like Greyhound and Trailways offer trips between cities. The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers are important for shipping, with St. Louis being a key place for boats.

Missouri has many roads, and after a program started in 2004, the state worked to improve highways. This helped make travel safer.