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Mississippi

Location

State cited as a model for successful phonics-based education.


First Mentioned

6/6/2026, 5:04:06 AM

Last Updated

6/6/2026, 5:06:05 AM

Research Retrieved

6/6/2026, 5:06:05 AM

Summary

Mississippi is a state located in the Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States, bordered by Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Admitted as the 20th state of the Union in 1817, Mississippi has a rich but complex history deeply tied to agriculture, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement. Today, it is recognized for its cultural contributions, particularly as the birthplace of the blues, and its high religiosity. In modern political and educational discussions, Mississippi's successful phonics-based reading program has been cited by figures like California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton as a model for education reform.

Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Area

    48,430 square miles

  • Capital

    Jackson

  • Climate

    Humid subtropical

  • Population

    2,961,279

  • Largest City

    Jackson

  • Highest Point

    Woodall Mountain (807 feet above sea level)

  • Secession Date

    1861-01-09

  • Admission to Union

    1817-12-10

  • Readmission to Union

    1870-02-23

Timeline
  • Mississippi is admitted to the Union as the 20th U.S. state. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1817-12-10

  • Mississippi secedes from the Union, becoming one of the founding Confederate States. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1861-01-09

  • Mississippi is officially restored to the Union following the Civil War. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1870-02-23

Mississippi

Mississippi ( MISS-iss-IP-ee) is a state in the Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the southwest, and Arkansas to the northwest. Mississippi's western boundary is largely defined by the Mississippi River, or its historical course. Mississippi is the 32nd largest by area and 35th-most populous of the 50 U.S. states and has the lowest per-capita income. Jackson is both the state's capital and largest city. Greater Jackson is the state's most populous metropolitan area, with a population of 591,978 in 2020. Other major cities include Gulfport, Southaven, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Olive Branch, Tupelo, Meridian, and Greenville. The state's history traces back to around 9500 BC with the arrival of Paleo-Indians, evolving through periods marked by the development of agricultural societies, rise of the Mound Builders, and flourishing of the Mississippian 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 the 20th state admitted to the Union. By 1860, Mississippi was the nation's top cotton-producing state and slaves accounted for 55% of the state population. Mississippi declared its secession from the Union on January 9, 1861, and was one of the seven original Confederate States, which constituted the largest slaveholding states in the nation. Following the Civil 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, and civil 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 by socially conservative and segregationist Southern Democrats dedicated to upholding white 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 on agriculture, manufacturing, and an increasing focus on tourism, highlighted by its casinos and historical sites. Mississippi produces more than half of the country's farm-raised catfish, and is a top producer of sweet potatoes, cotton and pulpwood. Others include advanced manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and health services. Mississippi is almost entirely within the east Gulf Coastal Plain, and generally consists of lowland plains and low hills. The northwest remainder of the state consists of the Mississippi Delta. Mississippi's highest point is Woodall Mountain at 807 feet (246 m) above sea level adjacent to the Cumberland Plateau; the lowest is the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi has a humid 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 of U.S. states in religiosity. Mississippi is also known for being the state with the highest proportion of African-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 the blues and contributing significantly to the development of the music of the United States as a whole.

Web Search Results
  • Mississippi - Wikipedia

    The state's history traces back to around 9500 BC with the arrival of Paleo-Indians, evolving through periods marked by the development of agricultural societies, rise of the Mound Builders, and flourishing of the Mississippian 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 the 20th state admitted to the Union. By 1860, Mississippi was the nation's top cotton-producing state and slaves accounted for 55% [...] Mississippi is heavily forested, with over half of the state's area covered by wild or cultivated trees. The southeastern part of the state is dominated by longleaf pine, in both uplands and lowland flatwoods and Sarracenia bogs. The Mississippi Alluvial Plain, or Delta, is primarily farmland and aquaculture ponds but also has sizeable tracts of cottonwood, willows, bald cypress, and oaks. A belt of loess extends north to south in the western part of the state, where the Mississippi Alluvial Plain reaches the first hills; this region is characterized by rich, mesic mixed hardwood forests, with some species disjunct from Appalachian forests. Two bands of historical prairie, the Jackson Prairie and the Black Belt, run northwest to southeast in the middle and northeastern part of the state. [...] 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 on agriculture, manufacturing, and an increasing focus on tourism, highlighted by its casinos and historical sites. Mississippi produces more than half of the country's farm-raised catfish, and is a top producer of sweet potatoes, cotton and pulpwood. Others include advanced manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and health services. Mississippi is almost entirely within the east Gulf Coastal Plain, and generally consists of lowland plains and low hills. The northwest remainder of the state consists of the

  • Mississippi | Geography, Capital, Population, Map, History, & Facts

    Mississippi is smaller than most of the U.S. states and is bounded on the north by Tennessee, on the east by Alabama, on the south by Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by Louisiana and Arkansas. Mississippi is naturally well suited to agriculture; its soil is rich and deep, and its landscape is laced with many rivers. Until the mid-20th century the dominance of a rural, unhurried lifestyle generally worked to the state’s advantage. This way of life was manifest in part in a culture of gentility, the legacy of which is still evident in the many historic mansions located in such old towns as Columbus, Biloxi, Natchez, Vicksburg, and Holly Springs. Quick Facts Mississippi 1 of 4 See article: flag of Mississippi State seal of Mississippi 2 of 4 Seal of Mississippi [...] Mississippi’s location endows it with a favorable climate for agriculture. The growing season is long (virtually year-round on the coast), precipitation is abundant, and extreme temperatures are unusual. Summers are warm, with daily temperatures typically rising from the upper 60s F (about 20 °C) into the low 90s F (about 33 °C) in July and August. Autumn’s bright, crisp days have the least precipitation and are considered by many to be the most agreeable of the year. Daily temperatures in January generally range from the low 30s F (about 0 °C) to the mid-50s F (about 12 °C). Snowfall is rare but does occur. The state’s annual precipitation averages more than 50 inches (1,270 mm), varying by region. The coastal area is subject to tropical cyclones (hurricanes) from June to October; in [...] 2 of 2 Mississippi Mississippi, constituent state of the United States of America. Its name derives from a Native American word meaning “great waters” or “father of waters.” Mississippi became the 20th state of the union in 1817. Jackson is the state capital. Mississippi, U.S.: Longwood mansionLongwood, an antebellum mansion in Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.

  • Mississippi River - Wikipedia

    The Mississippi was spelled Mississipi or Missisipi during French Louisiana and was also known as the Rivière Saint-Louis. ### European exploration In 1519 Spanish explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda became the first recorded European to reach the Mississippi River, followed by Hernando de Soto who reached the river on May 8, 1541, and called it Río del Espíritu Santo ("River of the Holy Spirit"), in the area of what is now Mississippi. In Spanish, the river is called Río Mississippi.[new archival link needed] French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette began exploring the Mississippi in the 17th century. Marquette traveled with a Sioux Indian who named it Ne Tongo ("Big river" in Sioux language) in 1673. Marquette proposed calling it the River of the Immaculate Conception. [...] Since the 20th century, the Mississippi River has also experienced major pollution and environmental problems, most notably elevated nutrient and chemical levels from agricultural runoff, the primary contributor to the Gulf of Mexico dead zone. ## Name and significance The word Mississippi itself comes from Misi zipi, the French rendering of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe or Algonquian) name for the river, Misi-ziibi (Great River). [...] The word Mississippi itself comes from Messipi, the French rendering of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe or Algonquian) name for the river, Misi-ziibi (Great River). The Ojibwe called Lake Itasca Omashkoozo-zaaga'igan (Elk Lake) and the river flowing out of it Omashkoozo-ziibi (Elk River). After flowing into Lake Bemidji, the Ojibwe called the river Bemijigamaag-ziibi (River from the Traversing Lake). After flowing into Cass Lake "Cass Lake (Minnesota)"), the name of the river changes to Gaa-miskwaawaakokaag-ziibi (Red Cedar River) and then out of Lake Winnibigoshish as Wiinibiigoonzhish-ziibi (Miserable Wretched Dirty Water River), Gichi-ziibi (Big River) after the confluence with the Leech Lake River, then finally as Misi-ziibi (Great River) after the confluence with the Crow Wing River. After

  • Mississippi, United States - Map & Guides - Apple Maps

    # Apple Maps Have a Business on Maps? Manage Your Business # Mississippi # Mississippi State · United States POPULATION 2,961,279 AREA 48,430 mi² ## About Mississippi is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the southwest, and Arkansas to the northwest. Mississippi's western boundary is largely defined by the Mississippi River, or its historical course. Mississippi is the 32nd largest by area and 35th-most populous of the 50 U.S. states and has the lowest per-capita income. Jackson is both the state's capital and largest city. MoreLess More on Wikipedia ## Guides ### Mississippi’s Civil Rights Trail Guide ## Details ### Location

  • Mississippi River

    Known as “America’s River,” the Mississippi River flows through the nation’s heartland, supporting vital agriculture, industry, and recreation, and also provides drinking water to tens of millions of people. As the nation’s second-longest river, behind only the conjoining Missouri, the Mississippi supports a $400 billion dollar shipping industry, as one of the greatest water highways on earth, carrying commerce and food for the world. The river is also important habitat for fish and wildlife, with over half of all North American birds migrating along the river annually. It’s the backdrop for countless American stories and serves as a constant muse for artists and musicians from Minneapolis down through St. Louis to the Louisiana Delta. The river is a cultural treasure and inspiration for [...] The richness of resources proved equally tempting to European settlers who first learned of the Mississippi from Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1541, followed by French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette who traveled south down the river in the 17th century. Soon after, the race between countries to settle the river’s shores led to conflict and eventual development. Britain, Spain, and France all laid claim to land bordering the Mississippi River until the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Following the United States’ victory over Britain in the War of 1812, the highly coveted Mississippi River officially and permanently belonged to the Americans. Source of the Mississippi River | Randen Pederson Mississippi River, Mississippi | Justin Wilkens [...] There is so much to consider along this great American waterway as it courses through 10 states, though the beginning of the river might make it easy to initially overlook. The Mississippi River begins as a small outlet for Lake Itasca in Minnesota as no more than a 20-foot stream from bank to bank but as the river runs south, it eventually turns into a half-mile-wide body of water that is large enough to support commercial shipping. From Wabasha, Minnestoa to Rock Island, Illinois, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge stretches for over 260 miles and provides public recreation opportunities, ranging from paddling, fishing, hunting, hiking and birdwatching. From Rock Island, Illinois south to St. Louis, Missouri, numerous federal and state-managed lands provide

Location Data

Mississippi, United States

administrative

Coordinates: 32.9715285, -89.7348497

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