Missouri
Gateway to the West, birthplace of ragtime and Kansas City jazz.
Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, ranking 21st in land area and 19th in population with over six million residents. It borders Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas to the south, and Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska to the west. The largest urban areas are St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia; the capital is Jefferson City. Known as the 'Gateway to the West,' Missouri played a central role in westward expansion and was admitted as a slave state under the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Its culture blends Midwestern and Southern elements, and it is the birthplace of ragtime, Kansas City jazz, and St. Louis blues.
Quick Facts
- Nicknames
- Show Me State, Cave State, and Mother of the West
- Motto
- Salus populi suprema lex esto (Latin) / Let the good of the people be the supreme law
- Anthem
- "Missouri Waltz"
- Officiallang
- English
- Languages
- English 93.9% / Spanish 2.6% / German 0.4% / Missouri French
- Population Demonym
- Missourian
- Largestcity
- Kansas City
- Largestcounty
- St. Louis
- Seat
- Jefferson City
- Largestmetro
- Greater St. Louis
- Area Rank
- 21st
- Area Total Sq Mi
- 69,704
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Missouri's role in the American Civil War was complex; as a border state, it was subject to rival governments, raids, and guerilla warfare. After the war, Greater St. Louis and the Kansas City metropolitan area became large centers of industrialization and business. Today the state is divided into 114 counties and the independent city of St. Louis. It is home to Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest beer producer, and produces Missouri wine, especially in the Missouri Rhineland. Popular tourist destinations include the Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, and Branson.
Reader's Guide
Missouri's significance lies in its pivotal role as a gateway for westward expansion and its complex history as a border state during the Civil War. The state's cultural contributions are notable: it is the birthplace of ragtime, Kansas City jazz, and St. Louis blues, and it is known for Kansas City-style barbecue and St. Louis-style barbecue. Missouri is a major center of beer brewing, with some of the most permissive alcohol laws in the U.S., and hosts the world's largest beer producer, Anheuser-Busch. Its universities, including the University of Missouri, Saint Louis University, and Washington University in St. Louis, are well-known. The state's unofficial nickname, 'Show Me State,' reflects a skeptical, pragmatic attitude. With more than 7,300 recorded caves, it is also called the 'Cave State.' Missouri's legacy includes major corporations such as Cerner, Express Scripts, Monsanto, Emerson Electric, Edward Jones, H&R Block, Wells Fargo Advisors, Centene Corporation, and O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Did You Know?
- Missouri has more than 7,300 recorded caves, more than any other state.
- The state is named for the Missouri River, which was named after the indigenous Missouria tribe, meaning 'one who has dugout canoes.'
- Missouri's official state motto is 'Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto' (Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law).
- The pronunciation of 'Missouri' varies, with common variants including mih-ZUR-ee and mih-ZUR-ə, and no single pronunciation is considered correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Missouri?
Missouri is a Midwestern U.S. state headquartered in Jefferson City, home to just over six million residents spread across major cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia. It ranks 21st in land area and 19th in population among the fifty states.
What is Missouri's role in the broader American story?
The state is widely called the 'Gateway to the West' because it served as the primary launching point for 19th-century westward expansion. Its admission as a slave state under the 1820 Missouri Compromise also made it a defining flashpoint in the national fight over slavery.
Where does Missouri sit geographically?
It occupies a central crossroads in the Midwest, bordered by Iowa to the north; Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee to the east; Arkansas to the south; and Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska to the west. That ring of neighbors made it a natural hub for trade, travel, and cultural exchange.
What is Missouri known for culturally?
Beyond its unofficial 'Show Me State' nickname, Missouri is celebrated as the birthplace of ragtime and the cradle of Kansas City jazz. Its identity blends straightforward Midwestern practicality with a deep, influential musical heritage.
Why does Missouri matter in the bigger picture?
Its near-geographic center in the continent made it the essential link between East and West during the nation's westward push. The 1820 compromise that brought it into the Union also set lasting precedents for how new states would be admitted.
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