Mississippi

Mississippi is a surprisingly diverse state with its deltas, rivers, rolling hills, and coastal shores. Apart from its natural wonders, however, Mississippi’s cultural history is actually unique and worthy of a trip of its own. The state proudly holds the title “The Birthplace of American Music”. The food is almost always farm-fresh (with great seafood, too). The music and the food scene combined create an exciting nightlife that locals and tourists alike would enjoy. 

Head on over to Mississippi for great music, good food, some beach, and a pretty spectacular scenery. 

Geography 

Located in the southeastern region of the United States, Mississippi is pretty much landlocked except for its southernmost part that goes to a narrow coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It is bordered by Tennessee on its north, Alabama to its east, Louisiana to its south. The etymology of the name Mississippi is pretty straightforward. It is from the Ojibwe word ‘ misi-ziibi’ meaning ‘Great River’. This, of course, refers through the Mississippi River that flows and defines the state’s western boundary. 

The geography of the state can be dominantly divided into two There are the southern coastal parts. The coastal plains are made of low hills. The northern parts, on the other hand, consist of delta and a very fertile plain from the enriched soil coming from the Mississippi river. 

History

Paleo-Indians and Native Americans arrived in Mississippi as early as 10,000BC. Like most Native American civilizations, they were thriving with complex socio-political systems even before the Europeans arrived. The first Europeans, French colonists, would arrive in the region in 1699. For centuries, the region was variously ruled by Spanish, French, and British colonial governments. 

Mississippi would then become the 20th state of the United States on December 10, 1817. Of course, the history of Mississippi in terms of African American struggle was very much complex and worthy of its own reading. 

Weather 

Mississippi’s climate is categorized as humid subtropical. This means long, hot, and humid summers and short, mild winters. The climate in Mississippi is expected to become even warmer because of climate change. It has been reported that Mississippi, especially its southern parts, will experience the worst effects of climate change from rising sea levels to drought. It is also likely to increase the frequency of tropical storms along with hotter and longer hot days. 

Tourism 

Outdoor enthusiasts will have a blast here if they know where to look. Some of our favorite nature spots are Doyle Arm and Bluff Lake at Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Cypress Swamp, and Clark Creek Nature Area. There are plenty of tourist destinations within its cities, too. There is the Old Capitol Museum at Jackson and Tupelo Automobile Museum at Tupelo. Other destinations you might fancy are the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Ocean Springs.

Key information about Mississippi

📍 Area: 125,443km2

👥 Population: 1,976,149

🏛️ Capital: Jackson

🏢 Major cities: Jackson, Gulfport, Southhaven

🔢 Number of counties: 82

📋 Postal Abbreviation: MS

📖 Primary language/s: English

📌 Nearby states: Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas

Adventure Guides In Mississippi

luray-caverns-wishing-well

Your Complete Guide to Luray Caverns

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By Ben
Be amazed at towering and beautiful formations in Luray Caverns. Visit this caverns system for a one-of-a-kind adventure with your family and friends.