Mississippi

Basic Information

Mississippi, located in the southeastern United States, is known for its rich history, distinct culture, and natural beauty.

Capital

• Jackson

Largest City

• Jackson

Area

• 48,430 sq mi

Population

• 2.96 million (2020)

Demographics

Mississippi's population is characterized by a significant African American population and a rich cultural heritage.

Ethnic Composition

• African American:38.0%
• White:56.9%
• Hispanic:3.4%
• Asian:1.1%

Languages

• English:95.8%
• Spanish:2.9%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:24.1%
• 18-64:60.5%
• 65+:15.4%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:-0.2%
• Natural Increase:8,000
• Migration:-14,000

Economy

Mississippi's economy is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and increasing sectors like gaming and tourism.

GDP

• $125 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Agriculture
• Manufacturing
• Gaming
• Tourism

Employment Rate

• Employed:94.6%
• Unemployment:5.4%

Major Companies

• Nissan
• Ingalls Shipbuilding
• Sanderson Farms
• Entergy Mississippi

Climate

Mississippi has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.

Summer

• Avg. Temperature:90°F
• High Humidity
• Frequent Thunderstorms

Winter

• Avg. Temperature:50°F
• Occasional Freezes
• Rare Snowfall

Rainfall

• Annual:55 inches

Hurricane Season

• June to November
• Coastal Regions at Risk

Visiting Mississippi

Mississippi offers a blend of historical sites, cultural attractions, and natural beauty for visitors.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring:March-May
• Fall:September-November
• Avoid Summer Heat:June-August

Transportation

• Major Airports:3
• Highway System:Interstates and State Routes
• Limited Amtrak service

Accommodation

• Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfasts
• Campgrounds & RV Parks

Tourist Information

• Mississippi Tourism Website
• Visitor Centers throughout the state

Popular Attractions

Mississippi's attractions highlight its musical heritage, Civil Rights history, and natural landscapes.

Historical Sites

• Vicksburg National Military Park
• Medgar Evers Home Museum
• Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
• Natchez Antebellum Mansions

Musical Landmarks

• Birthplace of Elvis Presley (Tupelo)
• Mississippi Blues Trail
• B.B. King Museum (Indianola)
• Ground Zero Blues Club (Clarksdale)

Natural Attractions

• Gulf Coast Beaches
• Natchez Trace Parkway
• Mississippi River
• Tishomingo State Park

Cultural Festivals

• Jubilee Jam (Jackson)
• Natchez Balloon Festival
• Mississippi State Fair

History

Mississippi's history includes Native American settlements, French and Spanish colonization, the antebellum period, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Early History

• Native American Tribes:Choctaw, Chickasaw, Natchez
• French Settlement:1699
• Spanish Control:1763-1798

19th Century

• Mississippi Territory:1798
• Statehood:1817
• Antebellum Period & Slavery
• Civil War:1861-1865

20th Century

• Jim Crow Laws & Segregation
• Great Migration
• Civil Rights Movement

Recent History

• Economic Diversification
• Recovery from Hurricane Katrina
• Continued Cultural Preservation

State Symbols

Mississippi's symbols reflect its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance.

State Animals

• State Bird:

  Mockingbird
• State Fish:

  Largemouth Bass
• State Insect:

  Honeybee
• State Waterfowl:

  Wood Duck
• State Land Mammal:

  White-tailed Deer

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Magnolia
• State Tree:

  Magnolia Tree
• State Wildflower:

  Coreopsis
• State Fossil:

  Prehistoric Whale

Cultural Symbols

• State Song:

  "Go, Mississippi!"
• State Beverage:

  Milk
• State Waterway:

  Mississippi River

Other Symbols

• State Stone:

  Petrified Wood

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Mississippi that highlight its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Woodall Mountain (807 ft)
• Longest River:

  Mississippi River
• Extensive Delta Region
• Gulf Coast Shoreline

Records & Rankings

• High Percentage of African American Population
• Rich Musical Heritage (Blues, Gospel, Rock & Roll)
• Significant Agricultural Producer

Notable Firsts

• First Human Heart Transplant (Dr. James Hardy)
• Significant Contributions to Blues Music

Unique Features

• Home to the Mississippi Delta
• Numerous Antebellum Mansions
• Important Civil Rights Landmarks
• Strong Literary Tradition (William Faulkner, Eudora Welty)

Government & Politics

Mississippi has a state government with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

• Current Governor (as of 2023)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Historically Democratic, shifting Republican in recent decades

Key Political Issues

• Education
• Healthcare
• Economic Development
• Social Issues

Time Zones

Mississippi observes Central Time Zone (CT).

Standard Time

• Central Standard Time (CST, UTC -6)

Daylight Saving

• Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC -5)

Education

Mississippi's education system includes public schools, community colleges, and universities.

Major Public Universities

• University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
• Mississippi State University
• University of Southern Mississippi
• Jackson State University

Community Colleges

• Numerous community colleges across the state

K-12 System

• Public school districts throughout Mississippi

Key Educational Initiatives

• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Teacher Development Programs
• Efforts to improve statewide academic performance

Culture & Festivals

Mississippi's culture is rich in music, literature, and historical traditions, celebrated through various festivals and events.

Major Festivals

• Mississippi Delta Blues Festival
• Natchez Trace Festival
• Jubilee Jam (Jackson)
• Blessing of the Fleet (Biloxi)

Musical Heritage

• Home of the Blues
• Gospel Music Traditions
• Influence on Rock & Roll

Literary Culture

• Home to notable authors (William Faulkner, Eudora Welty)
• Mississippi Book Festival

Regional Traditions

• Mardi Gras Celebrations (Gulf Coast)
• Cultural events celebrating Native American heritage

Sports & Teams

Mississippi has a strong college sports culture, particularly football, and various minor league teams.

College Sports

• Ole Miss Rebels
• Mississippi State Bulldogs
• Southern Miss Golden Eagles
• Jackson State Tigers

Minor League Teams

• Mississippi Braves (baseball)
• Mississippi Sea Wolves (hockey)

Notable Sporting Events

• Egg Bowl (Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State)
• College World Series appearances

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Mississippi's cuisine features Southern comfort food, seafood from the Gulf Coast, and unique regional dishes.

Signature Dishes

• Catfish
• Shrimp and Grits
• Fried Chicken
• Pecan Pie
• Tamales (Delta region)

Regional Specialties

• Gulf Coast Seafood
• Delta Cuisine
• Soul Food

Agricultural Products

• Cotton, Soybeans, Poultry, Sweet Potatoes

Local Restaurants

• Numerous family-owned restaurants
• Barbecue joints

Infrastructure

Mississippi's infrastructure includes highways, ports, and transportation networks supporting its economy.

Highway System

• Interstate Highways and State Routes

Ports

• Port of Pascagoula
• Port of Gulfport

Railways

• Freight rail lines

Airports

• Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport

Notable Historical Figures

Mississippi has produced numerous influential figures in music, literature, civil rights, and politics.

Musical Legends

• Elvis Presley
• B.B. King
• Muddy Waters
• Robert Johnson

Literary Icons

• William Faulkner
• Eudora Welty
• Tennessee Williams
• Richard Wright

Civil Rights Leaders

• Medgar Evers
• Fannie Lou Hamer
• James Meredith

Political Figures

• Jefferson Davis (Confederate President)
• John C. Stennis (U.S. Senator)

State Government Services

Mississippi provides various services to its residents through state agencies and departments.

Health Services

• Mississippi Medicaid, Department of Health

Social Services

• Department of Human Services

Environmental Agencies

• Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality

Parks & Recreation

• Mississippi State Parks

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Mississippi's history is preserved in various documents and landmarks.

State Constitution

• Mississippi Constitution

Historical Sites

• Vicksburg National Military Park
• Antebellum Mansions

Archival Repositories

• Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Environmental Initiatives

Mississippi is involved in various environmental conservation and protection efforts.

Coastal Preservation

• Efforts to protect Gulf Coast ecosystems

Conservation Programs

• Wildlife management, state park preservation

Water Management

• Mississippi River management, water quality protection

Major Events & Conferences

Mississippi hosts various events and conferences that highlight its culture, industry, and heritage.

Musical Events

• Mississippi Delta Blues Festival
• Jubilee Jam

Cultural Festivals

• Natchez Balloon Festival
• Mardi Gras (Gulf Coast)

Agricultural Shows

• Mississippi State Fair

Industry Conferences

• Meetings related to shipbuilding, agriculture, and tourism