Missouri, Panorama of St Louis, MissouriSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:STL_Skyline_2007_edit.jpg
Author: Buphoff
Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It covers an area of 69,704 sq mi (180,533 sq km). The state measures 240 miles (385 km) across and 300 miles (480 km) from north to south. The highest point in the state is Taum Sauk Mountain, at 1,772 ft (540 m). Missouri became part of the Union on 10 August, 1821.
Missouri is bordered by Iowa to the north, Illinois to the east, Kentucky and Tennessee to the southeast, Arkansas to the south, Oklahoma to the southwest, Kansas to the west and Nebraska to the northwest.
Missouri has a population of 5.9 million people. Its capital is Jefferson City while its largest city is Kansas City. The Greater St Louis Area is however the largest metropolitan area in the state.
Archaeological excavations in Missouri have uncovered evidence of human habitation going back over 7,000 years. There was a complex Mississippi culture which appeared there before AD 1000, with townships centering on present-day St Louis. These towns, which at one time hold as many as a few thousand inhabitants, are long done. What is left are earthwork mounds, probably built as sacred ceremonial sites or for political or social reasons.
Unity Church, Unity Village, MissouriSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Unity-church.jpg
Author: Americasroof
Tower Grove Park, St LouisSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tower_Grove_Park_Scene_1.jpg
Author: Davenbelle

French Canadians were the first European settlers to arrive in the area, setting up a settlement at present-day Ste. Genevieve. St Louis itself was foounded by French settlers moving from New Orleans. It became a trading center for fur with the Native American tribes along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
Missouri was part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase made by the United States. The town of St. Charles, west of St. Louis, was the starting point and finishing site for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Since the mid 20th century, cities in Missouri have suffered deindustrialization and loss of jobs, as the country evolved. Many cities had to reinvent themselves and find new means to develop their economies.
Cathedral Basilica of St Louis, MissouriSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedral_Basilica_of_St._Louis.jpg
Author: Andrew Balet
Visiting Missouri
By Plane
The airports at Kansas City and St Louis receive domestic flights from major cities in the United States.
By Train
You can take Amtrak from Chicago to St Louis and Kansas City. There are train services from Dallas and San Antonio to St Louis while Kansas City gets a service connecting it to Los Angeles.
By Road
Driving to Missouri would provide you the best opportunity to explore the state. There are a few interstate highways serving Missouri. I-70 cuts across the state connecting Kansas City with St Louis. I-35 connects Kansas City with Des Moines, Iowa. I-44 connects St Louis with Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Brush Creek, Country Club Plaza, Kansas CitySource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brush_creek.jpg
Author: Djohnson85
Cities in Missouri
- Branson (6,000)
Town in Taney County.
- Cape Girardeau (38,000)
Largest city in southeastern Missouri.
- Hannibal (18,000)
Town from where Mark Twain grew up.
- Hermann (2,700)
Wine country of Missouri.
- Jefferson City (41,000)
Capital of Missouri.
- Joplin (51,000)
City in the southwestern corner of Missouri.
- Kansas City (485,000)
Largest city within the second largest urban area in Missouri.
- Lee's Summit (84,000)
Sixth largest city in Missouri.
- Liberty (30,000)
Suburb of Kansas City, Missouri.
- Neosho (10,500)
Small town in southwestern Missouri.
- Sedalia (21,000)
City that hosts the Missouri State Fair and Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival.
- Springfield (158,000)
Third largest city in Missouri.
- St Joseph (76,000)
Eighth largest city in Missouri.
- St Louis (357,000)
Second largest city within the largest urban area in Missouri.
Places of Interest in Missouri
- Lake of the Ozarks
Reservoir created by impounding the Osage River.
- Ste. Genevieve
First organized European settlement west of the Mississippi River.
- Table Rock Lake
Artificial lake in The Ozarks.
- Truman Lake
Largest man-made lake in Missouri.
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Site of the Battle of Wilson's Creek.
National Monuments in Missouri
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2003-2025 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.