Mississippi (State)

A typical southern Mansion in Vicksburg surrounded by magnolia trees

Mississippi is a state in the southern United States. Its name comes from the Mississippi River, which forms a natural border with neighboring Louisiana. It is also popularly known as the Magnolia State. Magnolias are plants known for their beautiful white flowers. Trees of this plant are quite common in the Mississippi landscape. Mississippi has a population of roughly three million. The capital of the state is Jackson. Jackson is also the only city with more than 100,000 inhabitants.

The Mississippi area is mostly flat plain. There are only a few hills in the northeast. In the south the state has a long coastline on the gulf of Mexico. Another major River besides the Mississippi is the Yazoo River, which joins the Mississippi near the city of Vicksburg. Large paddle steamers used to sail this river, transporting cotton to St. Louis and New Orleans.

Summers in Mississippi are often hot, but also rainy. Winters are fairly mild and dry with no snowfall. Hurricanes and tornadoes are common threats in Mississippi. They sometimes devastate whole towns.

View over the Beach in Biloxi

Mississippi residents are mostly of Western European descent, but there is also a large community of African Americans. The indigenous people, who mainly include the Choctaw and Chickasaw, make up only a small part of the population. Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the USA. In addition to agriculture, money is mainly made with gambling tourism. Mississippi is known as the birthplace of many famous musicians, including the “King of Rock 'n' Roll” Elvis Presley.

• 

  A casino-boat on the Mississippi River in Natchez

• 

  Hurricane Katrina destroyed many places in 2005

• 

  The state capitol in Jackson

• 

  The Birthplace of Elvis Presley in the small town of Tupelo

• 

  Old painting of a cotton plantation