Mississippi is located in the southeastern region of the United States and is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Louisiana and Arkansas to the west. It has a total land area of 48,430 square miles and is divided into 82 counties. The terrain of Mississippi is mostly flat with some rolling hills in the northern part of the state. In addition, there are several rivers that flow through Mississippi such as the Pearl River, Pascagoula River and Tombigbee River. The highest point in Mississippi is Woodall Mountain which stands at 806 feet above sea level while its lowest point is along its coastline at sea level. Mississippi has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. It experiences heavy rainfall throughout most of its year with an average annual precipitation rate of around 50 inches. Additionally, it also experiences occasional flooding due to its proximity to several large bodies of water such as Gulfport Lake and Lake Pontchartrain. Check printerhall for climate in Gulfport, Mississippi.
History
Mississippi was first explored by the Spanish in 1540, but it was not until 1699 that French explorers established a settlement in what is now Natchez. Over the next century, France and England fought for control of the region, with France ultimately ceding its claims to Great Britain in 1763. In 1798, Mississippi became part of the newly formed United States of America as part of the Mississippi Territory. The next two decades saw a period of rapid growth and development, with settlers from other parts of the country coming to take advantage of cheap land and abundant natural resources. By 1817, Mississippi had become a state.
The 19th century saw great changes for Mississippi and its citizens. The state prospered economically thanks to its booming cotton industry; however, this prosperity was built upon the labor of enslaved African Americans. Following the Civil War, African Americans were granted freedom and rights as citizens; however, these rights were soon challenged by Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation and discrimination across much of the South. Despite these challenges, African Americans in Mississippi made great strides during this time period through education and political participation. In 1964, their efforts culminated with passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act which outlawed discrimination based on race or color.
Culture
Mississippi is a state known for its rich cultural history. It is home to diverse people who have come together to create a unique culture all its own. Music and art are integral components of the Mississippi culture, with many musicians and artists hailing from the state. Blues, jazz, gospel, and rock music are all heavily featured in Mississippi’s musical landscape. Mississippi has also been home to many renowned authors, including William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams.
Mississippi’s cuisine is also an important part of its culture. The state is known for soul food dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and sweet potato pie. Barbecue is another popular dish in Mississippi–from Memphis-style pork ribs to Lexington-style pulled pork sandwiches. Seafood dishes like shrimp and grits or catfish po’boys are also popular throughout the state. Finally, no discussion of Mississippi cuisine would be complete without mentioning the iconic Southern staple: fried green tomatoes!
State Flag
The Mississippi state flag is rectangular in shape, with a width to length ratio of 3:5. The background of the flag consists of three equal horizontal stripes, the top and bottom being blue and the middle stripe being white. On the center white stripe is the Confederate Battle Emblem, which consists of a blue cross with thirteen five-pointed stars arranged in a circle. The red field, which makes up the cross, has a white border along each side. Above and below the cross are two olive branches that are tied together by a red ribbon at their base. The meaning behind these symbols is quite significant; blue stands for courage and devotion, while white symbolizes purity and innocence. The stars represent Mississippi’s status as one of the original 13 colonies that formed the United States. The Confederate Battle Emblem is an homage to Mississippi’s history as part of the Confederate States during the Civil War. Lastly, the olive branches signify peace between North and South after Reconstruction.
