Mississippi
Mississippi is a state in the southern United States.
Mississippi is a state in the southern United States. It became the 20th state in 1817, and its capital and largest city is Jackson. The state is named after the Mississippi River and is commonly called the Magnolia State.
History
Mississippi was organized as a U.S. territory in 1798 and admitted to the Union in 1817. Its history includes Indigenous communities, European colonization, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and later civil rights activism.
Geography
Mississippi lies in the southeastern United States. Its western border is defined by the Mississippi River, and the state also borders the Gulf of Mexico along its southern edge. Mississippi is bordered by Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
Government and administration
Mississippi is one of the 50 U.S. states and has Jackson as its capital. It uses the postal abbreviation MS and operates under a constitution adopted in 1890.
Culture and economy
Mississippi is widely associated with the Magnolia State nickname and with the Mississippi Delta’s musical heritage, especially blues. Agriculture, forestry, and related industries have long been important parts of the state economy.
Key facts
- Mississippi is bordered by Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas, and has a Gulf of Mexico coastline.
- The Mississippi River forms the state’s western border.
- Jackson is the capital and the largest city.
- Mississippi became the 20th U.S. state on December 10, 1817.
- The state name comes from a Native American word meaning “great river” or “great waters.”
Frequently asked questions
What is Mississippi?
What is the capital of Mississippi?
When did Mississippi become a state?
Why is Mississippi called the Magnolia State?
What borders Mississippi?
References
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Mississippi-stateSupports: State identity, capital, borders, area, population, and admission to the Union.
- National Geographic Kids — https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/states/article/mississippiSupports: State nickname, name origin, and geographic borders.
- Fact Monster — https://www.factmonster.com/us/states/mississippiSupports: Territorial organization date, statehood date, constitution adoption, nickname, abbreviation, and motto.