The Mississippi Portal

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...)