Motto:Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto (“The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law”)
Abbreviation: MO
Population: ~6.2 million (2023 estimate) — 19th most populous state
Area: 69,715 sq mi (180,560 km²) — 21st largest state
Geography
Location: Missouri is in the Midwest, bordered by Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas to the south, and Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska to the west.
Major Landforms:
Ozark Mountains: Cover southern Missouri with forests, caves, and rivers.
Missouri River: Runs across the state, vital for trade and transportation.
Mississippi River: Forms the state’s eastern border.
Great Plains: Characterize the northern and western parts of the state.
Climate: Missouri has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Southern areas have a subtropical feel, while northern areas experience more severe winters.
Economy
GDP (2023): ~$430 billion — 20th largest state economy in the U.S.
Major Industries:
Agriculture: Key products include soybeans, corn, cattle, poultry, and hogs.
Manufacturing: The state produces cars, aerospace components, and food products.
Healthcare: St. Louis and Kansas City are hubs for medical research and health services.
Tourism: Attractions like the Gateway Arch, Branson, and Mark Twain’s hometown draw millions.
Technology: Emerging tech and biosciences industries are growing rapidly.
Major Companies: Anheuser-Busch, Enterprise Holdings, Edward Jones, Emerson Electric, and Monsanto (now Bayer) have significant operations in Missouri.
Demographics
Diversity: Missouri’s population is primarily of European descent, with African American and Hispanic communities concentrated in urban areas.
Ethnic Breakdown:
White: 82%
Black/African American: 12%
Hispanic/Latino: 5%
Asian: 2%
Native American: <1%
Languages: English is the predominant language, with Spanish spoken in some communities.
Religions: Predominantly Christian, especially Protestant, with growing secular and non-Christian populations.
History
Indigenous Peoples: The Osage, Missouria, and other Native American tribes originally inhabited the region.
European Settlement: French explorers arrived in the late 1600s, followed by Spanish rule before the U.S. acquired the land in the Louisiana Purchase (1803).
Statehood: Missouri entered the Union as a slave state under the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
Civil War: The state was deeply divided, with battles and guerrilla warfare between Union and Confederate forces.
Westward Expansion: St. Louis became known as the “Gateway to the West” due to its role in westward migration and trade.
Culture and Landmarks
Gateway Arch: An iconic symbol of St. Louis and the western expansion of the U.S.
Branson: A family-friendly entertainment hub with live shows, theme parks, and outdoor activities.
Mark Twain’s Birthplace: Located in Hannibal, it celebrates the life of the famous author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Lake of the Ozarks: A popular destination for boating, fishing, and vacationing.
Kansas City: Known for jazz, barbecue, and fountains, it’s a cultural and culinary hotspot.
St. Louis: Offers attractions like the Missouri Botanical Garden, City Museum, and Forest Park.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield: Preserves a key Civil War site.
Famous People from Missouri
Mark Twain: Author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, born in Florida, MO.
Harry S. Truman: 33rd President of the United States, from Independence.
Maya Angelou: Renowned poet and civil rights activist, born in St. Louis.
Chuck Berry: Pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll, from St. Louis.
Brad Pitt: Hollywood actor, born in Springfield.
Walter Cronkite: Legendary journalist, born in St. Joseph.
Sheryl Crow: Grammy-winning musician, born in Kennett.
Fun Facts
The Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the U.S. at 630 feet.
Missouri is home to the Pony Express, which began in St. Joseph in 1860.
Kansas City has more fountains than any city in the world except Rome, earning it the nickname “City of Fountains.”
St. Louis hosted the first Olympics in the U.S. in 1904.
Missouri is a top producer of lead and has numerous caves, earning it the nickname “The Cave State.”
State Symbols
State Bird: Eastern Bluebird
State Flower: Hawthorn Blossom
State Tree: Flowering Dogwood
State Animal: Missouri Mule
State Dessert: Ice Cream Cone (introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis)
State Song:Missouri Waltz
Outdoor Activities
Hiking and Camping: Explore the Ozark Trail, Elephant Rocks State Park, and Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Fishing and Boating: Enjoy watersports on the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and Lake of the Ozarks.
Caving: Marvel at the state’s extensive cave systems, including Meramec Caverns.
Hunting: Deer and turkey hunting are popular.
Winter Sports: Activities like skiing and snowmobiling are common in the Ozarks during winter.
