Welcome to TheseUnitedStates - Mississippi

Mississippi, our 20th state, was admitted to the Union December 10, 1817.   The 2000 census has Mississippi's population at 2,844,658, ranking  31st in the US.  With a total area of  48,430 square miles, the state ranks 32nd  in size.  Mississippi's capital, Jackson, is also its largest city.

Useful Internet Links for Mississippi:

Official Website of Mississippi  

http://www.ms.gov

Travel and Tourism Department  

http://www.visitmississippi.org

Call toll free  1-800-927-6378

Congress.org - Mississippi Elected Officials

Mississippi Weather from Weather.com

National Park Service Sites in Mississippi

Mississippi News from USA Today

Mississippi fun facts:

Mississippi State Bird:  Mockingbird

Mississippi State Flower:  Magnolia

Mississippi State Motto:  By valor and arms

Mississippi State Song:  Go, Mississippi!

Mississippi State Tree:  Magnolia

Nickname: Magnolia State

The geographic center of Mississippi lies in Leake County, 9 miles WNW of Carthage.  At 806 feet, Woodall Mountain in Tishomingo County in the NE corner, is the state's highest point.  The name Mississippi probably comes from the Chippewa, mici zibi, "great river" or "gathering-in of all the waters;"  or perhaps from the Algonquin messipi.

Brief History:  Early inhabitants were Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Natchez peoples.  Hernando de Soto explored the area in 1540 and sighted the Mississippi River in 1541.  Robert La Salle followed the river from Illinois to its mouth and claimed the entire valley for France in 1682.  The French established the region's first settlement, Fort Maurepas, near Ocean Springs, in 1699.  The area was ceded to Britain in 1763; American settlers followed.  Spain seized part of the area during the American Revolution, staying on even after the US acquired title at the end of the war.  Spain moved out in 1798, the Territory of Mississippi was formed that same year.  Mississippi seceded from the Union in 1861.  Union forces captured Corinth and Vicksburg and destroyed Jackson and much of Meridian.  Mississippi was readmitted to the Union in 1870.

Popular Mississippi destinations include Vicksburg National Military Park and other civil war sites.  Hattiesburg; Natchez Trace; Indian mounds; Antebellum homes; pilgrimages in Natchez and some 25 other cities; The Elvis Presley Birthplace &  Museum, Tupelo; Smith Robertson Museum, Mynelle Gardens, both in Jackson; Mardi Gras and Shrimp Festival, both in Biloxi; Gulf Islands National Seashore; and the Mississippi Coast.  

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