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Missouri
More About Missouri State
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the land of Mark Twain. The central area north of the Missouri River was the stomping ground of Daniel Boone, and to the west, the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails crossed the land. Missouri's southeastern section contains some of the oldest settlements in the state. Settlers came here from the South and New England; later Germans and other Europeans arrived. Consequently, traditions are as varied as the state's topography. Missouri's admission to the Union in 1821 resulted from a famous compromise between free and slave-holding states; in the Civil War its people were sharply divided.
Topographically, Missouri is divided into four regions: the northeastern glacial terrain, the central and northwestern prairie, the Ozark highlands in most of the southern portion, and the southeastern alluvial plain. Indicative of the northeastern section are picturesque river scenery, souvenirs of steamboat days, prosperous farmlands, and fine saddle horses. Westward along the Iowa border is rich, prairie farm country. Long-staple cotton is an important crop in the fertile alluvial plain of the Mississippi River. Southwest of St. Louis is Meramec Valley, a forested rural area. It stretches to the northern edge of the Ozarks, which extend south and west to the state borders and afford varied and beautiful mountain scenery. Lakes of all sizes, including Lake of the Ozarks, one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, and swift-flowing streams where fish are plentiful abound in this area. The southeastern section of the state has large springs and caves.
Missouri's diverse farm economy includes the production of corn, soybeans, wheat, fruit, cotton, and livestock. Missouri's lead mines provide more than three-quarters of the nation's supply. Other mineral products include zinc, coal, limestone, iron ores, and clays. The variety of manufactured products is almost endless: shoes, clothing, beer, transportation equipment, and foundry and machine shop products are among the most important. St. Louis, on Missouri's eastern border, and Kansas City, on the western side, provide the state's metropolitan areas.
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Missouri
Statistics & Vital Data |  |
| Population: | 5117073 |
| Area: | 68,945 square miles |
| Timezone: | Central |
| Elevation: | 230-1,772 feet |
| High
point: | Taum Sauk Mountain (Iron County) |
| Joined
Union: | August 10, 1821 (24th state) |
| State
Capital: | Jefferson City |
| State
Motto: | "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law" |
| State
Flower: | Hawthorn |
| State
Bird: | Bluebird |
| State
Tree: | Dogwood |
| State
Fair: | August in Sedalia |
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Missouri Attractions >> |
Missouri Parks, Recreation Areas, & Historical Landmarks:
State Parks - Water-related activities, hiking, riding, various other sports, picnicking and visitor centers, as well as camping, are available in many of these areas. Tent, trailer sites: Apr-Oct, $8/day/basic, $14-$17/day/improved; Nov-Mar, $7/day/basic, $12-$13/day/improved; limit 15 consecutive days; water and sanitary facilities Apr-Oct only in most parks; reservations accepted at some parks. Lodging reservation: 1-day deposit (2-day minimum Memorial Day-Labor Day), contact concessionaire in park. Most cabins, dining lodges are open mid-Apr-Oct. Parks are open daily, year-round. Senior citizen discounts. Pets on leash only. For further information contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks; PO Box 176, Jefferson City 65102; 573/751-2479, 800/334-6946 or 800/379-2419 (TDD).
National Parks & Recreation Areas - Mark Twain National Forests offer swimming, float trips, fishing; hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking. Camping (regular season, Apr-Sep; some areas open yr-round; $5-$8/site/night). Trailer sites at many campgrounds (no hookups). For further information contact the Forest Supervisor, 401 Fairgrounds Rd, Rolla 65401; 573/364-4621.
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list of all parks in Missouri >> | |
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Missouri
Weather and Climate:
Missouri enjoys four distinct seasons. Summers can be oppressively hot, although it remains the most popular time to visit; winters are cold; and April-June is the wettest period. The state lies in Tornado Alley and experiences an average of 27 twisters a year, peak season running from May through early June. Snowfall is generally light--4 to 6 inches in January is the norm. | |
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Fishing/Hunting
Opportunities in Missouri:
Float trips combine scenic river floating with fishing. Trips vary from half-day to 1 week. Anglers can bring their own canoes, rent canoes, or hire professional guides to manipulate johnboats (flat-bottomed boats suited to shallow waters). Some outfitters provide equipment and food. About 35 Ozark rivers have black bass, goggle-eye, walleye, sunfish, or trout. Missouri Ozark Waterways provides information on float fishing and may be purchased from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Squirrel, rabbit, and quail hunting are fair to good in most areas. Deer, doves, and wild turkeys are relatively plentiful. The larger lakes and rivers are used by migrating ducks, geese, and other waterfowl. Contact the Department of Conservation for outdoor maps. Nonresident fishing permit: $35; 1-day $5; trout permit $7. Nonresident hunting permit: deer $145; turkey $145; small game $65; nonresident archer's hunting permit $120. Nonresident furbearer hunting and trapping permit: $80. To purchase permits and obtain regulations contact Missouri Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102. | |
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| | Additional Missouri Visitor Information:
For general information contact the Missouri Division of Tourism, 301 W High St, Box 1055, Jefferson City 65102; 573/751-4133. For a Missouri travel information packet, phone 800/877-1234. An official state highway map may be obtained from Highway Maps, Department of Transportation, Box 270, Jefferson City 65102. Another good source of information on Missouri is The Ozarks Mountaineer, bimonthly, PO Box 20, Kirbyville 65679.
Visitor centers are located in St. Louis, I-270 at Riverview Dr; Joplin, I-44 at state line; Kansas City, I-70 at the Truman Sports Complex; Hannibal, US 61, 2 miles S of the junction with US 36; Rock Port, I-29, just S of junction with US 136; and New Madrid, I-55, at the Marston rest area. They are open year-round; hours vary. |
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