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Missouri Facts 

Missouri is a midwestern state covered with grassy plains, forests, and mountains.

It’s home to art museums, jazz clubs, and delicious barbecues.

Whether you’re interested in sports, history, food, or culture, Missouri has something for everyone.

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Quick Facts

Capital: Jefferson City

Population: 6 million

Nickname: The Show-Me State

Key Cities: Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Jefferson City, Joplin

Postal Abbreviation: MO

Major Industries: Transportation, beverages, defense and aerospace, food processing, mining

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History

How did Missouri get its name: The name “Missouri” comes from Indian syllables meaning “town of the large canoes,” “wooden canoe people,” or “he of the big canoe.”

Date admitted to the Union: Friday, August 10, 1821

Gateway Arch - St. Louis
Gateway Arch – St. Louis

Geography

Size: 69,704 sq. miles

Lowest point: Saint Francis River at 230 feet

Highest point: Taum Sauk Mountain at 1,772 feet

Counties: 114

Famous locations: Gateway Arch, Branson Strip, Forest Park, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, National World War I Museum and Memorial

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Ford Model T Military Field Ambulance from World War I

Famous Missourians

John Goodman- actor

Ginger Rogers- actress

Maya Angelou- poet/author

Don Cheadle- actor

Don Cheadle Missouri

Cedric the Entertainer- comedian

Akon- singer

Fun Facts

Missouri shares a border with eight different states: Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.

It’s tied with Tennessee for the “friendliest” state in the nation.

Another nickname for Missouri is “The Cave State.” It’s home to more than 6,000 caves and the only cave restaurant in the United States (found in Richland, Missouri).

cave-state

In 1904, the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri introduced treats including cotton candy, iced tea, Dr. Pepper, and the waffle cone.

Four of the largest earthquakes in North American history occurred in New Madrid, Missouri between December 1811 and February 1812.

earthquake facts

Missouri got its “Show-Me State” nickname in 1899 when Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver said, “I’m from Missouri and you’ve got to show me!”

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During Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign, Valentine Tapley from Pike County, Missouri swore he would never shave again if Lincoln were elected.

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Tapley kept his promise and grew his beard to twelve feet and six inches before his death in 1910.

United States

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