Map of Missouri State which lies in the Midwestern region of USA
| State | Missouri |
| State Capital | Jefferson City |
| Largest City | Kansas City |
| Coordinates | 38.5°N 92.5°W |
| Nickname(s) | “Show Me State”, “Cave State and Mother of the West” |
| Postal Abbreviation | MO |
| Area | 69,715 sq. mi (180,560 sq. km) |
| Highest Point | Taum Sauk Mountain, 1,772 ft (540 m) |
| Number of Counties | 114 Counties and 1 Independent City |
| Neighboring States | Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska |
| Population | 6,126,452 (2018) |
| Date of Entering the Union | August 10, 1821 |
| State Anthem | “Missouri Waltz” |
| Governor | Mike Parson (Republican) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Mike Kehoe (Republican) |
| U.S. Senators | Roy Blunt (Republican), Josh Hawley (Republican) |
| U.S. House Delegation | 6 Republicans, 2 Democrats |
| GDP (Millions of Dollars) | 318921 |
| Demonym | Missourian |
| Time Zones | UTC-06:00 (Central), Summer (DST) UTC-05:00 (CDT) |
Missouri (24th state that was admitted to the union on August 10, 1821) is located in the Midwestern USA. It shares its border with the most states in the US. Missouri is bordered by 8 US states and they are Nebraska (to the west), Kansas (to the west), Oklahoma (to the west), Arkansas (to the south), Tennessee (to the east), Kentucky (to the east), Illinois (to the east), and Iowa (to the north).
Missouri is spread across a total area of 69,715 sq. mi (180,560 sq. km), making it the 21st largest state out of the 50 US states. Out of the total area, the land area is spread across 68,886 sq. mi (178,455 sq. km) and the water area is spread across 965 sq. mi (2,501 sq. km). Missouri is about 300 mi (482.8 km) long and 240 mi (386.2) wide.
The mean elevation of Missouri is 800 ft (243.8 m) above sea level. While Taum Sauk Mountain is the highest elevation point in the state at 1,772 ft (540.1 m) above sea level, St. Francis River is the lowest elevation point at 230 ft (70.1 m) above sea level.
The largest mountains in Missouri are Taum Sauk Mountain, Wildcat Mountain, Buford Mountain, Lead Hill, Russell Mountain, Bell Mountain, Proffit Mountain, Ketcherside Mountain, Hogan Mountain, and Keyger Mountain.
1.4% of the total area is occupied by water bodies. The longest rivers in the state are Missouri River, Mississippi River, White River, Des Moines River, St. Francis River, Black River, Gasconade River, Osage River, Meramec River, Chariton River, etc.
The major lakes of Missouri are Harry S. Truman Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Bull Shoals Lake, Table Rock Lake, Stockton Lake, Norfork Lake, Mark Twain Lake, Wappapello Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake, Smithville Lake, etc.
The Ozark Plateau is the largest landform in Missouri. It consists of beautiful forested hills as well as low mountains with numerous under foot caves. Clear rivers, lakes, and large springs are common here.
Dissected Till Plains are located in the northern part of the Missouri River. Rich soil, highly effective for growing corn, is found in these plains. Slow-moving rivers/streams criss-cross this well-watered prairie.
The western part of Missouri is covered by the Osage Plains. It is characterized by predominantly flatlands with some evident hills. Though the soil is not as fertile as that of the Dissected Till Plains, grain crops including corns are grown in plenty.
High tableland is found in the southwestern corner of the state. It has come up as a landform for growing high-quality strawberries and rich gardens. In the southeast region of Missouri, the landform is most rugged. The highest elevation points including St. Francois Mountains (which houses the highest elevation point) are found in this landform.
The Mississippi Alluvial Plain is located in the south of Missouri. It includes swampy land. Rich farmland has been carved out of this plain by draining the area. It is now used for growing rice, soybeans, and cotton. Missouri’s southern part protrudes into Arkansas. This region, because of its similarity in shape, has been named the Boot Heel.
A variety of seasonal humid subtropical climate is found in Missouri. The general climatic conditions here include long and hot summers as well as cool winters. A mild humid subtropical climate is found in Missouri’s southern region. A humid continental climate prevails in the northern third of the state. Extreme temperatures are experienced in the interior regions of the US.
The air blowing from the cold arctic region as well as the Gulf of Mexico’s hotness and humidity influences this climate. This is possible mainly because of the lack of large oceans or mountains nearby.
The average temperature fluctuation within 24-hours is around 20 °F (-6.7 °C). However, temperature fluctuation of around 30-40 °F (- 1.1-to-4.4 °C) is also common.
During June and July months, the average temperature revolves around 73 °F (23 °C) and 76 °F (24 °C) respectively. Sometimes the temperature also reaches 100 °F (38 °C) and continues to remain at this level for at least 3-concurrent days every week during these months.
Maximum rainfall takes place during springtime, which starts in April and continues till June. The average temperature and precipitation during April-June revolve around 54 °F (12 °C) and 12 in (300 mm) respectively. Most of the tornadoes also hit the state during spring. Around 35 tornadoes hit the place every year.
The month of summer starts in June and continues till August. While the average temperature remains 75 °F (24 °C), the average precipitation revolves around 12 inches (300 mm). June receives more precipitation than July or August. Extreme high temperature generally reaches during the July-August period. Rainfall in this area during summer is mainly caused by tropical cyclones.
The autumn/fall starts from September and continues till November. The average temperature and precipitation during this season revolve around 56.5 °F (13.6 °C) and 10 in (250 mm) respectively. Winter season witnesses mild-to-bitter cold.
It is the driest season of the year. However, winter precipitation in the form of snowfall takes place during this season. While northern Missouri gets 20 inches (508 mm) of snowfall, the southeast part gets 10 inches (25 cm) of snowfall. Northwest winds blow during winter. However, during the rest of the year, the wind flows from the south and southeast.
The economic landscape of Missouri is dominated by aerospace and transportation equipment manufacturing industries. The other significant industries are machinery, printing & publishing, chemicals, food products, electrical equipment, and fabricated metals. Chief mineral mining includes lead, zinc, coal, etc.
Agriculture plays an important role in the economy of Missouri. There are more than 100,000 farms in the state, which is 2nd only to Texas. The main agricultural, livestock, and dairy products of Missouri are soybeans, dairy items, hogs, corn, wheat, cattle, eggs, poultry, etc.
The total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Missouri was US$318,921 million in 2018, a significant increase from US$250,581.1 million in 2008. The state’s Per Capita Personal Income increased steadily from US$36,379 in Q1 2010 to US$49,893 in Q3 2019.
The Real Median Household Income has witnessed both ups and downs in the last decade. It shot up from US$53,825 in 2008 to US$57,217 in 2009. It then tumbled down to US$49,994 in 2013 and went up sharply to US$62,742 in 2015. In 2018, the Real Median Household Income was US$61,726, still struggling to surpass the peak (since 1984) of US$65,943, reached in the year 2000.
In 2018, the total value of exports and imports were US$14,530,544,909 and US$20,627,498,619 respectively, resulting in a trade balance of -US$6,096,953,710. Missouri’s rank among the 50 US states in terms of exports, imports and trade balance is 26, 25, and 30 respectively.
The unemployment rate almost doubled within 2-years. It increased from 5.3% in January 2008 to 9.8% in January 2010. Since then steady improvement in the job market has led to a drastic fall in unemployment. It was 3.1% in November 2019.
The rate of poverty was 13.4% in 2018. In Missouri, there were 795,732 people living below poverty out of the total population of 5,928,516 in 2018.
The major US Routes passing through Missouri are US 61, US 60, US 63, US 160, US 66, US 71, US 65, etc. The Interstate Highways in Missouri are a part of the state-owned national Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways.
The main Interstate Highways in the state are I-44, I-70, I-55, I-49, I-29, I-35, etc. There is a huge network of state highways in the state and some of the longest ones are Route 5, Route 13, Route 32, Route 19, Route 6, Route 21, Route 76, etc.
The most important airports in Missouri are St. Louis Lambert International Airport (in St. Louis), Kansas City International Airport (in Kansas City), Springfield-Branson National Airport (in Springfield), Columbia Regional Airport (in Columbia), Joplin Regional Airport (in Joplin), Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport (in Fort Leonard Wood / Waynesville), Cape Girardeau Regional Airport (in Cape Girardeau), Kirksville Regional Airport (in Kirksville), Branson Airport (in Branson), etc.
Some of the busiest rail centers are located in this state: Kansas City and St. Louis. While Kansas City is a significant railroad hub, St. Louis is known for being a major train freight destination. All class 1 railroad services including Union Pacific Railroad, Kansas City Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway, and BNSF Railway are available in Kansas City.
Commercial waterway navigation is concentrated on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
The most well-known name of Missouri is “The Show-Me State”. Though Missouri’s Legislature hasn’t recognized the name yet, its mention can be seen on the Missouri license plates. This popular nickname is in use since the 1890s. There are many stories revolving the origination of the nickname. However, the most popular story gives credit to the US Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver from Missouri, who first used the term while delivering his speech in Philadelphia in the year 1899.
Gateway Arch National Park, Branson, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Silver Dollar City, Forest Park, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Lake of the Ozarks, National World War I Museum and Memorial, Jefferson City, Springfield, etc.
1) The state of Missouri is nicknamed “The Show-Me State” though it is the unofficial nickname.
2) Missouri shares its boundaries with Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Kansas.
3) The capital city of Missouri is Jefferson City and the largest city is Kansas City.
4) Prior to achieving statehood, it was known as Missouri Territory. It attained statehood on August 10, 1821 and became the 24th state of the Union.
5) The official motto is “The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law”.
6) The official bird is the Bluebird.
7) The official anthem is “Missouri Waltz”.
8) St. Louis is nicknamed “Home of the Blues” and “The Gateway to the West”.
9) The official animal is the Mule.
10) The official insect is the Honeybee.
11) Warsaw is the place where both the highest and lowest temperatures of the state have been recorded. The lowest temperature of -40 degree F was documented on February 13, 1905 and the highest temperature was registered on July 14, 1954 at 118 degree F.
12) The official mineral of the state is the Galena.
13) Washington is nicknamed as the “Corn Cob Pipe Capital of the World”.
14) Soybean is the most moneymaking crop in the state.
15) The official tree is the Flowering Dogwood.
16) Kansas City is nicknamed as the “Barbecue Capital of the World”.
17) With an elevation of 1,772 feet, the Taum Sauk Mountain is the highest point of the state.
18) The official flower is the White Hawthorn Blossom.
19) The official fish is the Channel Catfish.
20) Famous natives of the state of Missouri include Mark Twain, T.S. Eliot, Walt Disney, Joseph Pulitzer, and Harry S. Truman.
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