Missouri
Show-Me State · Capital: Jefferson City · Midwest (Plains)
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Bordering states: Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska.
About Missouri
Missouri, in the Midwest, touches eight states, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, a count only Tennessee matches. The Missouri River crosses it from Kansas City to its junction with the Mississippi just north of St. Louis. North of that river lie glacial till plains; south of it lies the unglaciated Ozark Plateau, with more than 7,500 surveyed caves and large springs. The highest point, Taum Sauk Mountain at 1,772 feet, stands in the St. Francois Mountains, the eroded stumps of an ancient volcanic field. The lowest ground is in the Bootheel, above the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Warsaw has recorded both minus 40 °F and 118 °F.
The Osage controlled the Ozarks, and the Missouria, whose name the river and the state carry, lived along the lower Missouri. French colonists mined lead from the 1720s, founded Ste. Genevieve around 1750 and laid out St. Louis as a fur trading post in 1764. The Louisiana Purchase brought the region to the United States. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 admitted it with slavery, balanced by Maine as a free state, and Missouri became the 24th state on August 10, 1821. Its towns launched the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails. In the Civil War it stayed in the Union, and it abolished slavery in January 1865.
Missouri had 6,154,913 residents at the 2020 census, up 2.8% since 2010, the 19th largest population. Jefferson City is the capital and Kansas City the largest city. St. Louis hosted the 1904 World's Fair and Olympic Games, and its 630-foot Gateway Arch was topped out in 1965. Harry S. Truman, born in Lamar and raised in Independence, became president in 1945, and Samuel Clemens, who wrote as Mark Twain, was born in Florida, Missouri, and grew up in Hannibal. The Show-Me State nickname has appeared on license plates since 1980 but was never made official.
4 fun facts about Missouri
- Kansas City calls itself the "City of Fountains" and counts more than 200 of them.
- The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest monument in the US (630 feet), and a small tram carries visitors to the top.
- Mark Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, the model for Tom Sawyer's hometown.
- The ice cream cone was popularized at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.
More about Missouri
Missouri geography and climate
Frequently asked questions about Missouri
Is Missouri a US state?
Yes, Missouri is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1821, making it the 24th state. Its capital is Jefferson City and its largest city is Kansas City.
What is the capital of Missouri?
The capital of Missouri is Jefferson City. Note that the largest city in Missouri is Kansas City, not the capital, a common point of confusion.
When did Missouri become a state?
Missouri became a US state in 1821. It is the 24th state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Missouri?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Missouri is MO.
How big is Missouri?
Missouri ranks #21 of 50 US states by area. With 89.5 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 28th most densely populated state.
What is the population of Missouri?
Missouri had 6,154,913 residents at the 2020 census, the 19th largest population of the 50 states, up 2.8% since 2010. That count gives it 8 seats in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Missouri in?
Missouri is in the Midwest region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Missouri in?
Missouri observes Central Time.
Learn more
How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
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