MISSISSIPPI THE MAGNOLIA STATE Mississippi Mississippi is part of the Deep South region of the United States It is named for the mighty Mississippi River which meanders along most of the state’s western border Mississippi is a land filled with history southern cooking riverboats and misty farm fields In the countryside the pace of life slows down on sweltering summer days perfect weather for growing rows of corn soybeans and cotton In recent years Mississippi has worked hard to find new opportunities Today the state’s farms share the spotlight with growing cities Busy factories produce everything from automobiles to aircraft parts Some of the most celebrated authors in history came from Mississippi The state is also the home of the blues the toe-tapping music that expresses so many hopes and dreams Mississippi is called The Magnolia State because of the many beautiful and fragrant magnolia trees that grow in its soil The Queen of the Mississippi riverboat cruises down the Mississippi River 4 MISSISSIPPI
The University of Mississippi is nicknamed Ole Miss
MISSISSIPPI QUICK FACTS Name Mississippi is named after the Mississippi River which flows down the western border of the state Mississippi is an Ojibwe Native American word that means great river or father of waters State Capital Jackson population 171,155 Date of Statehood December 10 1817 20th state Population 2,992,333 32nd-most populous state Area Total Land and Water 48,432 square miles 125,438 sq km 32nd-largest state Largest City Jackson population 171,155 Nickname The Magnolia State or The Hospitality State Motto Virtute et armis By Valor and Arms State Bird Mockingbird 6 MISSISSIPPI
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA State Flower Magnolia State Rock Petrified Wood State Tree Magnolia State Song Go Mississippi Petrified Wood Magnolia Tree Highest Point Woodall Mountain 806 feet 246 m Lowest Point Gulf of Mexico 0 feet 0 m Average July High Temperature 91 F 33 C Record High Temperature 115 F 46 C in Holly Springs on July 29 1930 Average January Low Temperature 34 F 1 C Record Low Temperature 19 F 28 C in Corinth on January 30 1966 Woodall Mountain Average Annual Precipitation 58 inches 147 cm Gulf of Mexico Number of U S Senators 2 Number of U S Representatives 4 U S Postal Service Abbreviation MS QUICK FACTS 7
