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Mississippi (/ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/ ⓘMISS-iss-IP-ee) is astate in theSoutheastern andDeep South regions of the United States. It bordersTennessee to the north,Alabama to the east, theGulf of Mexico to the south,Louisiana to the southwest, andArkansas to the northwest. Mississippi's western boundary is largely defined by theMississippi River, or its historical course. Mississippi is the32nd largest by area and35th-most populous of the 50 U.S. states and has the lowest per-capita income.Jackson is both the state'scapital and largest city.Greater Jackson is the state's most populousmetropolitan area, with a population of 591,978in 2020. Other major cities includeGulfport,Southaven,Hattiesburg,Biloxi,Olive Branch,Tupelo,Meridian, andGreenville.
The state's history traces back to around 9500 BC with the arrival ofPaleo-Indians, evolving through periods marked by the development of agricultural societies, rise of theMound Builders, and flourishing of theMississippian culture. European exploration began with the Spanish in the 16th century, followed by French colonization in the 17th century. Mississippi's strategic location along the Mississippi River made it a site of significant economic and strategic importance, especially during the era of cotton plantation agriculture, which led to its wealth pre-Civil War, but entrenched slavery and racial segregation. On December 10, 1817, Mississippi became the20th state admitted to the Union. By 1860, Mississippi was the nation's topcotton-producing state andslaves accounted for 55% of the state population. Mississippi declared itssecession fromthe Union on January 9, 1861, and was one of the seven originalConfederate States, which constituted the largest slaveholding states in the nation. Following theCivil War, it was restored to the Union on February 23, 1870. Mississippi's political and social landscape was dramatically shaped by the Civil War,Reconstruction era, andcivil rights movement, with the state playing a pivotal role in the struggle for civil rights. From the Reconstruction era to the 1960s, Mississippi was dominated bysocially conservative andsegregationistSouthern Democrats dedicated to upholdingwhite supremacy.
Despite progress, Mississippi continues to grapple with challenges related to health, education, and economic development, often ranking among the lowest in the United States in national metrics for wealth, healthcare quality, and educational attainment. Economically, it relies onagriculture, manufacturing, and an increasing focus on tourism, highlighted by its casinos and historical sites. Mississippi produces more than half of the country'sfarm-raised catfish, and is a top producer ofsweet potatoes, cotton andpulpwood. Others include advanced manufacturing,utilities,transportation, andhealth services. Mississippi is almost entirely within the eastGulf Coastal Plain, and generally consists oflowlandplains and low hills. The northwest remainder of the state consists of theMississippi Delta. Mississippi's highest point isWoodall Mountain at 807 feet (246 m) above sea level adjacent to theCumberland Plateau; the lowest is the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi has ahumid subtropical climate classification.
Mississippi is known for its deep religious roots, which play a central role in its residents' lives. The state ranks among the highest ofU.S. states inreligiosity. Mississippi is also known for being the state with the highest proportion ofAfrican-American residents. The state's governance structure is based on the traditional separation of powers, with political trends showing a strong alignment with conservative values. Mississippi boasts a rich cultural heritage, especially in music, being the birthplace of theblues and contributing significantly to the development of themusic of the United States as a whole. (Full article...)
Selected article -show anotherSimon Favre (May 31, 1760 – July 3, 1813) was an interpreter of theMuskogean languages, particularlyChoctaw andChickasaw, for the French, British, Spanish and Americans in the part ofWest Florida that became part of the states of Mississippi and Alabama. The son of another prominent interpreter, Favre spent the late 18th century in the vicinity ofMobile and theTombigbee River, which changed hands from French to British, and then Spanish control. He became well versed in the language and culture of theChoctaws, and was involved with several treaties between the Europeans and natives. As a young man he had a Choctaw mistress with whom he had six known children, then at the age of 41 he was legally married in Mobile to a woman of European descent. Within a few years of his marriage, he moved with his new family from the Tombigbee area to a plantation on thePearl River.
As the power of the Choctaws diminished, Favre became less important as an interpreter, and more important as a facilitator of the political changes occurring along theGulf Coast. Once theLouisiana Purchase was concluded between France and the United States, American settlers from both inside and outside Spanish West Florida increased pressure on Spain for American control of the territory. While the transfer did not officially take place until 1821, the Spanish essentially put Florida under the trust of the United States in 1810, and Favre played a major role in facilitating the transfer, and keeping the Indians informed of the events. Favre was considered the top interpreter in the region by men of prominence, including GovernorWilliam C. C. Claiborne of Louisiana who made Favre a justice of the peace, and recommended him for the position of United States agent to the Choctaws. A "talk" that Favre gave to the Choctaws on the eve of theWar of 1812 was touted by historian Russell Guerin as a masterpiece of diplomacy, and displayed Favre's deep understanding of the native language and culture.
Favre died in 1813, leaving many minor children and a substantial estate of more than 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) of land and 57 slaves. He had thirteen known children with three different women, and leaves numerous descendants. A well-known descendant is formerNational Football League quarterbackBrett Favre. Simon Favre's associations with property owners and prominent officials demonstrate that he was a person of very high social standing. (Full article...)
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WikiProjects | Hello! As a past or current member ofWikiProject Mississippi, a WikiProject dedicated to developing and improving articles aboutMississippi, you are cordially invited to edit, assess, and improve our coverage of all things Mississippi on Wikipedia! |
Mississippi topicsTopics:Constitution -Supreme Court -History -Music
Regions:Golden Triangle -Mississippi Plain -Mississippi Delta -Mississippi Gulf Coast -Natchez District -Pine Belt -Tennessee Valley
Cities:Biloxi -Clarksdale -Clinton -Columbus -Greenville -Gulfport -Hattiesburg -Jackson -Meridian -Olive Branch -Pascagoula -Pearl -Ridgeland -Southaven -Starkville -Tupelo -Vicksburg
Geography:Rivers -Lakes -Mountains -National forests -Islands -Wilderness areas -Natural disasters -Parks -State Parks
Industries:Agriculture -Oil
Statistics:Population
Categories
State symbols| Nickname | The Magnolia State |
|---|---|
| Motto | Virtute et armis (Latin) transl. By Valor and Arms |
| Flower | Magnolia |
| Rock | Petrified wood |
| Toy | Teddy bear |
| Other | Mississippi Symbols for more |
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Associated WikimediaThe followingWikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject:
Web resources| Official State of Mississippi website |
