The state of Missouri is situated in the
Midwestern region of the USA and has a lot to offer visitors and
residents alike. When it comes to population, Missouri is ranked
number 18 in America with about six million people and
size-wise, it’s the 21st largest. The state capital is Jefferson
City, while the largest city is Kansas City. Other popular
centers include St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, Washington,
Independence, Lee’s Summit, O’Fallon, and St. Joseph.
The land was originally bought from the French
as a part of the Louisiana Purchase and it became the 24th state
admitted to the Union back in 1821. Missouri features both
Southern and Midwestern cultural influences because of its
location between the Western and Eastern states. It actually
borders eight different states. The northern region of the state
is located in plains while the southern area sits in the Ozark
Mountains, with the Missouri River flowing between the two
districts.
The region was settled by Native Americans for
centuries and European settlers joined them around 1750. The
found the weather in Missouri
generally features hot and humid summers along with cold
winters, which makes it a good spot to enjoy some outdoor
adventures in the summer.
If you want to travel to Missouri by air, there
are two main airports to choose from. These are located in St.
Louis and Kansas City. You can also reach the state by train as
there are major stations in Kansas City, St. Louis, La Plata,
Jefferson City, Lee's Summit, Warrensburg, Independence,
Hermann, Kirkwood, Washington, Poplar Bluff, and Sedalia.
If you’re heading to St. Louis, you’ll be glad
to know you can buzz around the city and local area by a light
rail/subway system. Getting to the state and around it by road
is also popular as the interstate system and local highways link
all of the cities and towns together nicely. Both the
Mississippi and Missouri Rivers are navigable, but the majority
of shipping is barge traffic on the Mississippi River.
There are several fine art museums to visit,
with some of the best being the Belger Arts Center, the
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, the Contemporary Art Museum St.
Louis, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Museum of Art and
Archaeology, the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, the Saint
Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Mercantile Library, and the
State Historical Society of Missouri.
There are also quite a few botanical gardens,
amusement parks, festivals, landmarks, historical sites and
casinos to enjoy. There are dozens of parks, and conservation
areas etc., with some of the best places for outdoor living
being the Mark Twain National Forest, Rockwoods Reservation,
Penn Valley Park, Loose Park, Albert Oakland Park, and Big Sugar
Creek State Park.
Sports lovers will have a great time in the
state, especially in St. Louis and Kansas City, as they’re home
to most of the franchises. These include the Kansas City Royals
and St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB), the
Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams of the National Football
League (NFL), and the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey
League (NHL). There are also quite a few minor-league pro sports
teams in hockey, women’s soccer, indoor soccer, arena football,
and World Team Tennis.
Most of the action and nightlife center around
St. Louis and Kansas City and the music scene is particularly
good in St. Louis, especially if you like the blues. There are
all types of accommodations and restaurants to choose from
throughout the state to fit all budgets and the food includes
excellent southern, local, and international.
Missouri offers big-city life with an excellent mix of
outdoor areas and activities to entertain visitors of all ages
and interests.
About Missouri