Missouri

The Show Me State Established 1821, 24th State

Climate

Average Seasonal High and Low Temperatures Spring: 66/44°F Summer: 88/66°F Fall: 68/46°F Winter: 42/23°F

Geography

The Missouri River cuts through the middle of the state and divides it into two major regions. Above the Missouri River, the land is made up of flat plains and rolling hills. Below the Missouri River is the Ozark Plateau, with cliffs, valleys, streams, natural springs, and waterfalls. Around five thousand caves can be found there. You can visit them and explore their many stalactites and stalagmites (calcium deposits that drop from the ceiling or rise from the floor) and natural bridges. Large sections of forest can still be found in the Ozarks's state and national parks. Missouri's total area is 69,709 square miles (180,545 sq km), making it the 21st largest state.

Resources and Economy

Missouri's location in the center of the country makes it a perfect manufacturing center. It is easy for Missourians to make and then ship their products to all parts of the country—by truck, train, or river barge. Missourians manufacture many kinds of things, but transportation equipment is the most important. Transportation equipment includes cars, airplanes, trains, and truck trailers. Missouri's manufacturing is concentrated in its two large cities, Saint Louis and Kansas City.

Population

5,878,415

Government

Capital:
State Abbreviation: MO
Governor: Matt Blunt (Republican)
U.S. Senators: 2
Christopher Bond (Republican)
Claire McCaskill (Democrat)
U.S. Representatives: 9
    Republicans: 5
    Democrats 4
State Senators: 34
State Representatives: 163
Counties: 114

Fun Facts

# Known as the Gateway to the West, St. Louis's Gateway Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States. # Since 1904, Missouri has voted for the winner of every U.S. presidential election except one (in 1956). This phenomenon is known as the Missouri bellwether. # Missouri is called the Show Me State because in 1899 a Missouri congressman said, `I am from Missouri. You have to show me.` # Baseball's 1985 World Series was played between two Missouri teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals. # Missouri was the starting point for the Pony Express. Riders carried mail all the way to California in just a few days. They changed horses every 10 to 15 miles (16–24 km). # Jesse James was one of the most notorious Wild West outlaws. His gang robbed banks and trains throughout Missouri. A member of his own gang shot and killed him in Saint Joseph. # In 1927, Charles Lindbergh, a Missouri pilot, completed the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic in a plane called the Spirit of St. Louis.