The Mississippi Portal
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Mississippi(/ˌmɪsəˈsɪpi/MISS-ə-SIP-ee) is astatein theSoutheasternregion of theUnited States.It bordersTennesseeto the north,Alabamato the east, theGulf of Mexicoto the south,Louisianato the southwest, andArkansasto the northwest. Mississippi's western boundary is largely defined by theMississippi River,or its historical course. Mississippi is the32nd largestby area and35th-most populousof the 50 U.S. states and has the lowest per-capita income.Jacksonis both the state'scapitaland largest city.Greater Jacksonis the state's most populousmetropolitan area,with a population of 591,978 in2020.Other major cities includeGulfport,Southaven,Hattiesburg,Biloxi,Olive Branch,Tupelo,Meridian,andGreenville.
The state's history traces back to around 9500 BC with the arrival ofPaleo-Indians,evolving through periods marked by the development of agricultural societies, rise of theMound Builders,and flourishing of theMississippian culture.European exploration began with the Spanish in the 16th century, followed by French colonization in the 17th century. Mississippi's strategic location along the Mississippi River made it a site of significant economic and strategic importance, especially during the era of cotton plantation agriculture, which led to its wealth pre-Civil War, but entrenched slavery and racial segregation. On December 10, 1817, Mississippi became the20th stateadmitted to the Union. By 1860, Mississippi was the nation's topcotton-producing state andslavesaccounted for 55% of the state population. Mississippi declared itssecessionfromthe Unionon January 9, 1861, and was one of the seven originalConfederate States,which constituted the largest slaveholding states in the nation. Following theCivil War,it was restored to the Union on February 23, 1870. Mississippi's political and social landscape was dramatically shaped by the Civil War,Reconstruction era,andcivil rights movement,with the state playing a pivotal role in the struggle for civil rights. From the end of the Civil War to the 1960s, Mississippi was dominated bysocially conservativeandsegregationistSouthern Democratsdedicated to upholdingwhite supremacy.
Despite progress, Mississippi continues to grapple with challenges related to health, education, and economic development, often ranking among the lowest in the United States in national metrics for wealth, health care quality, and educational attainment. Economically, it relies onagriculture,manufacturing, and an increasing focus on tourism, highlighted by its casinos and historical sites. Mississippi produces more than half of the country'sfarm-raised catfish,and is a top producer ofsweet potatoes,cotton andpulpwood.Others include advanced manufacturing,utilities,transportation,andhealth services.Mississippi is almost entirely within the eastGulf Coastal Plain,and generally consists oflowlandplainsand low hills. The northwest remainder of the state consists of theMississippi Delta.Mississippi's highest point isWoodall Mountainat 807 feet (246 m) above sea level adjacent to theCumberland Plateau;the lowest is the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi has ahumid subtropical climateclassification.
Mississippi is known for its deep religious roots, which play a central role in its residents' lives. The state ranks among the highest ofU.S. statesinreligiosity.Mississippi is also known for being the state with the highest proportion ofAfrican-Americanresidents. The state's governance structure is based on the traditional separation of powers, with political trends showing a strong alignment with conservative values. Mississippi boasts a rich cultural heritage, especially in music, being the birthplace of thebluesand contributing significantly to the development of themusic of the United Statesas a whole. (Full article...)
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Magnolia Way,officially designated asMississippi Highway 780(MS 780), is a shortunsignedstate highwayin northeasternMississippi.The road starts at County Road 203 (CR 203), and travels southeastward as afrontage roadof theconcurrenceofInterstate 22(I-22) andU.S. Route 78(US 78). It intersects the entrance of theToyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi(TMMMS), located nearBlue Springs.Magnolia Way ends at its intersection withMS 9south ofSherman.Construction of the road began in 2007 to serve TMMMS, and it opened on August 24, 2009, two years before the manufacturing plant opened. (Full article...)
Did you know?
- ... thatRubel Phillipswas the firstRepublicanto run in theMississippigubernatorial election since1947when he ran in1963?
- ... that the area of responsibility of the6th Military Police Groupincludes all of the United States west of theMississippi River?
- ... thatBdóte,an area of sacred significance to theDakota people,centered on the confluence of theMinnesotaandMississippirivers, was also the site of their forced exile fromMinnesota?
- ... that the only functioning secondary school in Mississippi during theAmerican Civil Warwas founded byThomas S. Gathright?
- ... thatCarey Wrightimplemented literacy reforms that led to the "Mississippi Miracle"?
- ... thatKamala,Percy Pringleand theFabulous Freebirdsgot their first "big break" inInternational Championship Wrestling?
- ... thatRodney, Mississippi,became aghost townafter the Mississippi River shifted about two miles (3.2 km) away?
- ... that theEnterprise,a black newspaper inOmaha,supported a separate African American department at the 1898Trans-Mississippi Exposition?
Related portals
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Before 1945, times were good when the price of cotton was above 20 cents. (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Location of Mississippi Choctaw Indian Reservation (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
A poster showing the members of the 1890 Mississippian state constitutional convention. The members were overwhelmingly white Democrats; the only black member was a man who was allowed into the convention for his willingness to support black disenfranchisement. (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
From left to right, Chief Wesley Johnson, Thomas B. Sullivan, Culberson Davis, James E. Arnold, and Emil John. (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Confederate lines,Vicksburg,May 19, 1863. Shows assault by US 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
The legislature of the State of Mississippi in 1890 (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Battle of Brice's Crossroads (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
A proposed route for the de Soto Expedition, based onCharles M. Hudsonmap of 1997 (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Newton Knight,Unionistleader of "The Free State of Jones" inJones County, Mississippi(fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Memorial "commemorating the service of the 1st and 3rd Mississippi infantry regiments, and all Mississippians of African Descent who participated in the Vicksburg Campaign" (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
A Choctaw family in traditional clothing, 1908 (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Map of Old Choctaw country in Mississippi before removal. (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Biloxi streetcar, early 20th century (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
Mississippi map fromIndian Land Cessions in the United States(1899) by Charles C. Royce (fromHistory of Mississippi) -
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Group of Mississippi Choctaw males in the late 50s or early 60s. Photograph by Bob Ferguson. (fromMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) -
Mt. Zion Church state history marker near Philadelphia, Mississippi (fromFreedom Summer)
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A tow entering the downstream side of theJamie Whitten Lock and Damon theTennessee–Tombigbee WaterwayinTishomingo County, Mississippi.When the tow exits the lock on the upstream side, it will be inBay Springs Lake
WikiProjects
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Hello! As a past or current member ofWikiProject Mississippi,a WikiProject dedicated to developing and improving articles aboutMississippi,you are cordially invited to edit, assess, and improve our coverage of all things Mississippi on Wikipedia! |
Mississippi topics
Topics:Constitution-Supreme Court-History-Music
Regions:Golden Triangle-Mississippi Plain-Mississippi Delta-Mississippi Gulf Coast-Natchez District-Pine Belt-Tennessee Valley
Cities:Biloxi-Clarksdale-Clinton-Columbus-Greenville-Gulfport-Hattiesburg-Jackson-Meridian-Olive Branch-Pascagoula-Pearl-Ridgeland-Southaven-Starkville-Tupelo-Vicksburg
Geography:Rivers-Lakes-Mountains-National forests-Islands-Wilderness areas-Natural disasters-Parks-State Parks
Industries:Agriculture-Oil
Statistics:Population
Categories
State symbols
| Nickname | The Magnolia State |
|---|---|
| Motto | Virtute et armis(Latin) transl. By Valor and Arms |
| Flower | Magnolia |
| Rock | Petrified wood |
| Toy | Teddy bear |
| Other | Mississippi Symbolsfor more |
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Web resources
| Official State of Mississippi website |
- Mississippi Governor
- Mississippi Lieutenant Governor
- Mississippi Attorney General
- Mississippi Secretary of State
- Mississippi State Auditor
- Mississippi State Treasurer
- Mississippi State Insurance Commissioner
- Mississippi State Supreme Court
- Mississippi State Legislature
- U.S. Census Bureau Mississippi Data
- USDA Mississippi Statistical Facts
- USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Mississippi
