Kansas

Basic Information

Kansas, located in the Midwestern United States, is known for its vast prairies, agricultural productivity, and rich history.

Capital

• Topeka

Largest City

• Wichita

Area

• 82,278 sq mi

Population

• 2.91 million (2020)

Demographics

Kansas has a predominantly white population with growing minority communities, reflecting increasing diversity.

Ethnic Composition

• White:84.3%
• Hispanic:12.1%
• African American:6.1%
• Asian:3.1%

Languages

• English:90.7%
• Spanish:7.6%
• Other Languages:1.7%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:24.5%
• 18-64:60.2%
• 65+:15.3%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.2%
• Natural Increase:8,000
• Migration:2,000

Economy

Kansas's economy is driven by agriculture and aerospace, with growing sectors in manufacturing and energy.

GDP

• $182 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Agriculture
• Aerospace
• Manufacturing
• Energy

Employment Rate

• Employed:95.8%
• Unemployment:4.2%

Major Companies

• Spirit AeroSystems
• Koch Industries
• Garmin
• Tyson Foods

Climate

Kansas has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, and experiences significant seasonal variations.

Summer

• Avg. Summer:90°F
• Avg. Winter:25°F
• Rainfall:35 inches/year

Winter

• Avg. Summer:90°F
• Avg. Winter:25°F
• Snowfall:20 inches/year

Spring/Fall

• Avg. Temp Range:45-75°F
• Variable weather conditions

Visiting Kansas

Kansas offers a variety of attractions, from historical sites to natural landmarks, and is known for its friendly communities.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring/Fall:Mild weather, outdoor activities
• Summer:Festivals and events
• Peak Season:Summer (June-August)

Transportation

• Major Airports:Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
• Train Routes:Amtrak Southwest Chief
• Highway System:Interstate 70, Interstate 35

Accommodation

• Hotels:Varied options in major cities
• Camping Sites:State parks and private campgrounds
• Average Hotel Rate:$90/night

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:Kansas Tourism
• Tourism Website:Travel Kansas
• Info Hotline:1-800-2KANSAS

Popular Attractions

Kansas's attractions include natural landmarks, historical sites, and cultural venues.

Natural Landmarks

• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
• Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark
• Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
• Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

Historical Sites

• Boot Hill Museum
• Fort Larned National Historic Site
• Kansas State Capitol
• Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

Cultural Sites

• Wichita Art Museum
• Kansas Museum of History
• Exploration Place
• Cosmosphere Space Museum and STEM Center

Entertainment Venues

• Old Cowtown Museum
• Kansas State Fair
• Various local festivals

History

Kansas's history spans from Native American settlements to French exploration, territorial status, and statehood, evolving into a leading agricultural and aviation state.

Early History

• Native Peoples:Thousands of years
• French Exploration:1724
• Louisiana Purchase:1803

19th Century

• Territorial Status:1854
• Bleeding Kansas:1854-1861
• Statehood:1861

20th Century

• Agricultural Development
• Aviation Industry Growth
• Dust Bowl Impact

Recent History

• Diversification of Economy
• Renewable Energy Development
• Continued Agricultural Leadership

State Symbols

Kansas has adopted various official state symbols that represent its natural beauty and cultural heritage.

State Animals

• State Bird:

  Western Meadowlark
• State Animal:

  American Bison
• State Insect:

  Honeybee
• State Reptile:

  Ornate Box Turtle

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Wild Sunflower
• State Tree:

  Cottonwood

Cultural Symbols

• State Colors:

  Blue and Gold
• State Song:

  "Home on the Range"
• State Motto:

  "Ad Astra per Aspera" (To the stars through difficulties)

Other Symbols

• State Rock:

  Limestone
• State Soil:

  Harney Silt Loam

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Kansas that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Mount Sunflower (4,039 ft)
• Longest River:

  Arkansas River
• Largest Lake:

  Tuttle Creek Lake

Records & Rankings

• Major wheat producer
• Significant aviation industry
• Historically significant during Bleeding Kansas

Notable Firsts

• First Pizza Hut restaurant
• Home to the first woman mayor in the US (Susanna M. Salter)

Unique Features

• Vast prairies
• Extensive wind energy production

Government & Politics

Kansas has a representative government with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

• Laura Kelly (as of 2021)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and State House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Historically Republican, with recent shifts

Key Political Issues

• Agriculture
• Education
• Healthcare
• Economic Development

Time Zones

Kansas observes Central Time Zone (CT), with daylight saving time.

Standard Time

• Central Standard Time (CST, UTC -6)

Daylight Saving

• Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC -5)

Education

Kansas has a strong public education system, including K-12 schools and universities.

Major Public Systems

• University of Kansas
• Kansas State University
• Wichita State University
• Community Colleges

Notable Private Institutions

• Washburn University
• Benedictine College

K-12 System

• High graduation rates

Key Educational Initiatives

• STEM education
• Early childhood education
• College readiness programs

Culture & Festivals

Kansas's culture is rooted in its agricultural heritage, with various festivals celebrating local traditions.

Major Festivals

• Kansas State Fair
• Wichita Riverfest
• Dodge City Days
• National Festival of Breads

Music & Arts

• Various music venues in Wichita and Kansas City
• Local art galleries and museums

Regional Traditions

• Agricultural fairs and shows
• Community celebrations

Sports & Teams

Kansas has a strong college sports culture, with significant support for university teams.

College Sports

• University of Kansas Jayhawks
• Kansas State University Wildcats
• Wichita State Shockers

Minor League Teams

• Wichita Wind Surge (baseball)

Notable Sporting Events

• NASCAR races at Kansas Speedway

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Kansas's cuisine highlights its agricultural products, with wheat, beef, and barbecue featuring prominently.

Signature Dishes

• Kansas City-style barbecue
• Wheat products (breads, pastries)
• Beef dishes
• Sunflower seeds

Agricultural Products

• Wheat
• Beef
• Soybeans
• Corn

Local Markets

• Farmers' markets in Wichita and Kansas City
• Local breweries and wineries

Infrastructure

Kansas's infrastructure supports its agricultural and industrial sectors, with extensive road networks and rail lines.

Highway System

• Interstate 70, Interstate 35, and other major highways

Public Transportation

• Limited public transit in smaller cities
• Amtrak service

Major Airports

• Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
• Regional airports

Energy & Utilities

• Significant wind energy production
• Reliable electricity and natural gas services

Notable Historical Figures

Kansas has produced notable figures in various fields, from politics to entertainment.

Political Figures

• Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th U.S. President)
• Bob Dole (U.S. Senator)

Entertainment Icons

• Hattie McDaniel (actress)
• Martina McBride (singer)

Authors & Artists

• William Inge (playwright)
• Gordon Parks (photographer)

State Government Services

Kansas provides various public services through its state agencies and departments.

Health Services

• Medicaid, Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Social Services

• Department for Children and Families programs

Environmental Agencies

• Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Transportation

• Kansas Department of Transportation

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Kansas's history is preserved in its state archives and historical sites.

State Constitution

• Original 1861 Constitution

Historical Sites

• Kansas State Capitol
• Fort Larned

Archival Repositories

• Kansas Historical Society

Environmental Initiatives

Kansas is increasingly focused on renewable energy and environmental conservation.

Renewable Energy

• Significant wind energy production

Conservation Programs

• State parks and wildlife management

Water Management

• Efforts to protect water quality

Agricultural Sustainability

• Practices to reduce environmental impact

Major Events & Conferences

Kansas hosts various events and conferences, including agricultural and cultural festivals.

Agricultural Events

• Kansas State Fair
• Farm Progress Show

Cultural Events

• Wichita Riverfest
• Dodge City Days

Sports Events

• NASCAR races at Kansas Speedway

Business Conferences

• Various industry-specific events