Missouri

Basic Information

Missouri, located in the Midwestern United States, is known for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and cultural significance.

Capital

• Jefferson City

Largest City

• Kansas City

Area

• 69,704 sq mi

Population

• 6.2 million (2020)

Demographics

Missouri's population represents a diverse mix of urban and rural communities with varied ethnic backgrounds.

Ethnic Composition

• White:79.1%
• African American:11.8%
• Hispanic:4.3%
• Asian:2.2%

Languages

• English:94.2%
• Spanish:2.7%
• Other Languages:3.1%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:22.4%
• 18-64:60.5%
• 65+:17.1%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.3%
• Natural Increase:15,000
• Migration:8,000

Economy

Missouri has a diverse economy spanning manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and technology sectors.

GDP

• $335 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Aerospace and Transportation
• Agriculture and Food Production
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing

Employment Rate

• Employed:96.7%
• Unemployment:3.3%

Major Companies

• Anheuser-Busch
• Emerson Electric
• Cerner Corporation
• Express Scripts

Climate

Missouri has a continental climate with four distinct seasons, ranging from hot summers to cold winters.

Northern Regions

• Avg. Summer:85°F
• Avg. Winter:25°F
• Rainfall:35 inches/year

Southern Regions

• Avg. Summer:90°F
• Avg. Winter:30°F
• Rainfall:45 inches/year

Ozark Mountains

• Avg. Summer:87°F
• Avg. Winter:28°F
• Rainfall:42 inches/year

Weather Patterns

• Avg. Tornadoes:30 per year
• Thunderstorm Days:50+
• Snowfall:15-20 inches/year

Visiting Missouri

From urban attractions to natural wonders, Missouri offers diverse experiences for travelers year-round.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring:April-May
• Fall:September-October
• Peak Season:May-August

Transportation

• Major Airports:5
• Train Routes:2 Amtrak lines
• Highway System:33,000 miles

Accommodation

• Hotels:1,200+
• Camping Sites:5,000+
• Average Hotel Rate:$100/night

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:15+
• Tourism Website:Visit Missouri
• Info Hotline:1-800-GO-MOSHOW

Popular Attractions

Missouri offers a blend of natural, cultural, and historical attractions across the state.

Natural Landmarks

• Lake of the Ozarks
• Mark Twain National Forest
• Elephant Rocks State Park
• Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Entertainment Venues

• Branson Theater District
• Six Flags St. Louis
• Worlds of Fun (Kansas City)
• Silver Dollar City

Cultural Sites

• Gateway Arch
• Country Music Hall of Fame (Branson)
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Popular Cities

• St. Louis
• Kansas City
• Springfield
• Branson

History

Missouri's rich history spans from Native American settlements through westward expansion, Civil War conflicts, and its emergence as a pivotal Midwestern state.

Early History

• Native Peoples:Osage, Missouri, Illini nations
• French Exploration:1673
• Louisiana Purchase:1803

19th Century

• Missouri Compromise:1820
• Statehood:1821
• Civil War:1861-1865

20th Century

• Industrialization:1900-1950
• Gateway Arch Construction:1963-1965
• Economic Diversification:1970s+

Recent History

• Urban Revitalization
• Technology Growth
• Tourism Expansion

State Symbols

Missouri has officially designated various symbols representing its cultural heritage and natural resources.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  Missouri Mule
• State Bird:

  Eastern Bluebird
• State Fish:

  Channel Catfish
• State Reptile:

  Three-toed Box Turtle
• State Insect:

  Honeybee

State Plants

• State Flower:

  White Hawthorn Blossom
• State Tree:

  Flowering Dogwood
• State Grass:

  Big Bluestem
• State Nut:

  Black Walnut
• State Fungi:

  Morel Mushroom

Cultural Symbols

• State Colors:

  Red, White, and Blue
• State Song:

  "Missouri Waltz"
• State Folk Dance:

  Square Dance
• State Musical Instrument:

  Fiddle
• State Motto:

  "Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto" (The Welfare of the People Shall Be the Supreme Law)

Other Symbols

• State Mineral:

  Galena
• State Rock:

  Mozarkite
• State Fossil:

  Crinoid
• State Dessert:

  Ice Cream Cone
• State Dinosaur:

  Hypsibema missouriense

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Missouri that highlight its historical significance and natural features.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Taum Sauk Mountain (1,772 ft)
• Lowest Point:

  St. Francis River (230 ft)
• Longest River:

  Missouri River (553 miles within state)
• Largest Lake:

  Lake of the Ozarks
• Caves:

  6,400+ (second most in US)

Records & Rankings

• 18th Most Populous State
• 21st Largest State by Area
• Known as the "Cave State"
• 3rd in US Beef Cow Production
• 42 State Parks and Historic Sites

Notable Firsts

• First Olympic Games in US (1904, St. Louis)
• First Successful Parachute Jump (1912)
• First Ice Cream Cone (1904 World's Fair)
• First Interstate Highway Project (I-70)
• Birthplace of Route 66

Unique Features

• First State West of Mississippi to Join Union
• Home to 15 National Historic Landmarks
• Missouri River and Mississippi River Confluence
• Katy Trail:

  Longest Rails-to-Trails Project in US
• Ozark Mountains:

  One of Oldest Mountain Ranges in US

Government & Politics

Missouri's state government follows a three-branch structure with a history of political significance in national elections.

Governor

• Mike Parson (as of 2023)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Republican-leaning in recent decades

Key Political Issues

• Agriculture Policy
• Infrastructure Development
• Education Funding
• Healthcare Access

Time Zones

Missouri primarily operates within the Central Time Zone, with daylight saving time observed statewide.

Standard Time

• Central Standard Time (CST, UTC -6)

Daylight Saving

• Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC -5)

Notable Exceptions

• Some counties near Kentucky have historically debated timezone changes
• No exceptions currently in effect

Education

Missouri offers a comprehensive education system from K-12 through higher education with both public and private institutions.

Major Public Systems

• University of Missouri System
• Missouri State University System
• Missouri Community College Association

Notable Private Institutions

• Washington University in St. Louis
• Saint Louis University
• William Jewell College

K-12 System

• Over 500 public school districts statewide

Key Educational Initiatives

• A+ Program (college funding)
• Missouri Innovation Campus
• Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
• Parents as Teachers Program

Culture & Festivals

Missouri's cultural identity is shaped by its diverse regional influences, from urban jazz to rural folkways.

Major Festivals

• Missouri State Fair (Sedalia)
• Roots N Blues Festival (Columbia)
• Festival of Nations (St. Louis)
• Ozark Folk Festival (Branson)

Music & Entertainment

• Kansas City Jazz Heritage
• St. Louis Blues Tradition
• Branson Live Entertainment
• Ozark Folk Music

Regional Traditions

• Old-Time Fiddle Contests
• Ozark Craft Festivals
• Missouri Day Celebrations
• Riverfront Heritage Events

Sports & Teams

Missouri is home to passionate sports fans supporting both professional and collegiate teams.

MLB Teams

• St. Louis Cardinals
• Kansas City Royals

NFL Teams

• Kansas City Chiefs

NHL Teams

• St. Louis Blues

MLS Teams

• St. Louis City SC
• Sporting Kansas City

Notable Collegiate Programs

• University of Missouri Tigers
• Missouri State Bears
• Saint Louis University Billikens
• Annual Border War Rivalry (Missouri vs. Kansas)

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Missouri cuisine blends Midwestern, Southern, and riverfront influences, with regional specialties from BBQ to unique desserts.

Signature Dishes

• Kansas City BBQ
• St. Louis-Style Pizza (thin crust, Provel cheese)
• Toasted Ravioli
• Springfield Cashew Chicken
• St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

Beverage Heritage

• Anheuser-Busch Brewing Tradition
• Growing Wine Country (Missouri Wine Trail)
• Craft Breweries Statewide
• Root Beer (invented in St. Louis)

Agricultural Products

• Soybeans, Corn, Cattle, Hogs
• Norton Grapes (State Grape)
• Black Walnuts (99% of US commercial crop)
• Fresh Water Fish (catfish, crappie)

Food Festivals

• Soulard Mardi Gras & Cajun Cook-Off
• Barbecue Festivals across the state
• Apple Butter Festivals in the Ozarks
• Missouri Food Truck Festival

Infrastructure

Missouri's central location makes it a crucial transportation hub with extensive infrastructure networks.

Highway System

• 33,000+ miles of highways and roads

Public Transportation

• Metro Transit (St. Louis)
• Kansas City Streetcar
• Regional bus systems
• Amtrak service (Missouri River Runner)

Major Ports

• Port of St. Louis (3rd largest inland port in US)
• Port of Kansas City
• Missouri River Ports

Energy & Water

• Major hydroelectric dams
• Mixed energy portfolio:coal, nuclear, renewables
• Lake of the Ozarks (major water resource)
• Comprehensive water management systems

Notable Historical Figures

Missouri has been home to influential individuals who shaped state and national history in diverse fields.

Historical Leaders

• Harry S. Truman (33rd U.S. President)
• Thomas Hart Benton (Senator)
• Dred Scott (Civil Rights figure)
• Lewis & Clark Expedition (departure point)

Cultural Icons

• Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
• Walt Disney
• George Washington Carver
• Josephine Baker

Modern Figures

• Maya Angelou
• Rush Limbaugh
• Chuck Berry
• Jon Hamm

State Government Services

Missouri provides a range of services to residents through various state departments and agencies.

Health Services

• MO HealthNet (Medicaid)
• Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services

Social Services

• Food Stamp Program
• TANF (Temporary Assistance)
• Child Support Services

Environmental Agencies

• Missouri Department of Natural Resources
• Conservation Department

Public Safety

• Missouri State Highway Patrol
• State Emergency Management Agency
• Missouri National Guard

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Missouri's history is preserved through significant documents and historic landmarks throughout the state.

State Constitution

• Original 1820 Constitution
• Current 1945 Constitution with amendments

Historical Landmarks

• Missouri State Capitol
• Gateway Arch National Park
• Harry S. Truman Presidential Library
• Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Archival Repositories

• Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City
• State Historical Society of Missouri
• Western Historical Manuscript Collection

Environmental Initiatives

Missouri balances conservation efforts with economic development through various environmental programs.

Conservation Programs

• Missouri Department of Conservation management
• Stream Team volunteer program
• One-eighth of 1% Conservation Sales Tax

Natural Resources Management

• State Parks system preservation
• Forest management initiatives
• Wildlife restoration programs

Water Quality Efforts

• Watershed protection programs
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• Missouri River monitoring

Sustainable Practices

• Agricultural conservation techniques
• Urban renewal and green space initiatives
• Renewable energy development

Major Events & Conferences

Missouri hosts numerous conferences, trade shows, and special events throughout the year.

Business Conferences

• Missouri Governor's Conference on Economic Development
• Missouri Technology Expo
• Ag Industry Council Conferences
• Healthcare Innovation Summit

Entertainment Events

• Branson Music Festival
• Kansas City Film Festival
• St. Louis Art Fair
• Missouri State Fair

Trade Shows & Expos

• Heart of America Dairy Expo
• St. Louis Home & Garden Show
• Kansas City Auto Show
• Missouri Botanical Garden Shows

Cultural Celebrations

• St. Patrick's Day Parade (Kansas City)
• Festival of Nations (St. Louis)
• Juneteenth Celebrations
• Missouri Folklore Society Events