Mississippi (MS): State Guide, Fun Facts, and Resources

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Fun Facts about Mississippi

When was Mississippi Founded? 1798. The area was divided into Alabama and Mississippi in 1817.

Who Founded Mississippi? Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville

First inhabitants: Chickasaw, Choctaw and Natchez Native American Tribes

Population (July 2009 est.): 2,951,996

Square Miles: 48,434

US Rank: 32nd

State Flower: Magnolia

State Bird: Mockingbird

State Motto:
Latin: “Virtute Et Armis”
Translation: By Valor and Arms

Capital City:

Jackson – Mississippi’s capital was named as such in 1821 and was named after the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson. Today it is Mississippi’s largest city, with an estimated population of 184,256 in 2008. Its main industries are the production of electrical equipment, food and metal. Leisure activities for residents and visitors include antique shops, live music venues, ethnic restaurants, art museums, memorials and tours of government buildings.

5 Highest Populated cities in Mississippi (July 2008 est.)

1. Jackson 184,256
2. Gulfport 71,127
3. Biloxi 50,644
4. Hattiesburg 44,779
5. Greenville 41,633

What is Mississippi famous for?

1. Birthplace of Elvis Presley – Located in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Presley’s birthplace was where the young man spent his formative years, wandering the grounds and playing with friends. On the grounds are the house where the star was born, a memorial garden, a story wall and the fountain of life. The house also offers an Early Years Driving Tour that explores many of the places that Elvis visited regularly as a child with his family.

2. Southern Cooking/Catfish – Mississippi is the largest catfish farming state in the United States. The primary growth of this industry took place in the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in Mississippi’s dominance as the country’s largest provider. Unfortunately, farmers in the state experienced a large decline in the price they received for the fish in 2002 and 2003, which caused the closing of 10,000 acres of farms. The state still remains the leader, however, and experts predict that prices will bounce back in the next few years, and Mississippi will be able to count on revenue from catfish farming for years to come.

3. Federal Style Architecture – When architecture began to influence American designers and architects, one of the first styles to grace the east coast was the Federal Style. This particular type of architecture is characterized by large classical column and ornament that imitates Roman architecture. Other traits that make the Federal Style easy to spot include small arched windows over doors, oval windows and intricate woodwork, both inside and outside. Some of the best examples of this style of architecture can be seen in the Natchez District, one of the first areas of the state to be founded.

What is Mississippi’s economy?

1. Agriculture – Mississippi is a large farming state whose main sources of revenue are a large amount of a few species. These include young chickens, catfish and beef and dairy cattle. Other smaller farmed animals include hogs and sheep. Agricultural crops include cotton, soybeans, corn, sweet potatoes, rice, hay, peanuts, wheat, cucumbers, peaches, watermelons, pecans and grapes.

2. Manufacturing – After harvesting the cotton from the fields, many Mississippi factories manufacture the raw cotton into fabric and textiles. Other products that the state makes include processed foods, drinks, dairy products, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, auto parts, appliances and wiring equipment.

3. Services – Mississippi is the third largest gambling state in the nation behind Nevada (Las Vegas) and New Jersey (Atlantic City). Other service industries that lead the state in revenue production include car dealerships, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, law firms and repair shops.

Who is the governor of Mississippi?

Haley Reeves Barbour – Since he was elected governor of the state of Mississippi in 2003, Barbour has focused on key issues such as job creation, education, health care, energy, building safer communities and creating stronger families. His accomplishments include balancing the state budget, a 25.5% increase in per capita income in the state, increasing funding for public schools, management of the state health care plan and making Mississippi into an energy product state for future generations.

Mississippi Historical Landmarks

1. Beauvoir – The home of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate Army, is located in Biloxi, Mississippi. Davis called Beauvoir home from 1877 until 1889 when he died. He spent those years working on his memoir, The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government. After his death, his wife Varina Davis and their daughter Winnie remained at the estate for two years, completing his memoir. In 1902, Varina sold the house to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who in turn transformed the house into a memorial for Jefferson Davis. The house has been open for public tours since 1941.

2. Mississippi Governor’s Mansion – The home of the governors of the state since 1842, the mansion is located in Jackson, Mississippi, and it the second oldest continuously occupied governor’s estate in the United States. The home was built in the Greek Revival style, characteristic of most architecture in the area in the mid nineteenth century.

3. Rosalie Mansion – Built in 1823, the Rosalie Mansion in Natchez, Mississippi was stood prominently as a home for others to modeled after. A gorgeous estate overlooking the Mississippi River, it was one of the area’s first examples of Federal Style architecture, characterized by tall classical columns, oval windows, and semi-circular transoms.

4. Grand Village of the Natchez Indians – Located in their former homeland of present day southwest Mississippi, the Grand Village has been reconstructed based on historical descriptions and remains of the village. The Natchez tribes primarily occupied the area from 1682 until 1729, and celebrated their main ceremonies there. Disputes between French settlers and Natchez tribes resulted in the Native Americans being driven from their homeland in 1729, migrating west of the Mississippi River.

Five Online Resources for Mississippi

State of Mississippi
Website

Mississippi Tourism
Website

Mississippi National Park Service
Website

Mississippi Department of Education
Website

Mississippi State Employment
Website

List of Famous People From Mississippi

Resource by A.Evans

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