Mississippi joined the Union in 1817 as the 20th state and takes its name from the Mississippi River, which forms its western border. Early inhabitants of the area that became Mississippi were the Choctaw, Natchez, and Chickasaw.
Spanish explorers arrived in the region in 1540, but it was the French who established the first permanent settlement in present-day Mississippi in 1699.
During the first half of the 19th century, Mississippi was the largest producer of cotton in the United States, and owners of large plantations depended on the labor of black slaves. Mississippi seceded from the Union in 1861 and suffered greatly during the American Civil War.
Despite the abolition of slavery, racial discrimination persisted in Mississippi, and the state was a battlefield of the civil rights movement in the mid-20th century. In the early 21st century, Mississippi was among the poorest states in America.
Geography
Mississippi is a state located in the Southern United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Arkansas and the Mississippi River to the west. The state has a total area of 48,430 square miles, making it the 32nd largest state in terms of size. Mississippi is divided into two distinct geographic regions: The Gulf Coastal Plain and The Mississippi Alluvial Plain.
The Gulf Coastal Plain covers about one-third of the state’s total land area and includes much of its coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. This region is largely characterized by low-lying land with numerous swamps, marshes, and other wetlands. Many of these areas are part of the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area which includes some of the most productive agricultural land in North America as well as unique wildlife habitats. In addition to its agricultural importance, this region also contains many oil and gas reserves beneath its surface which have made it an important source for energy production for many decades.
The Mississippi Alluvial Plain covers most of the remaining two-thirds of Mississippi’s land area and extends from Vicksburg in central western Mississippi up through Memphis in northern Tennessee. This region consists mostly flat terrain with occasional hills along rivers such as the Yazoo River which runs through parts of northwest Mississippi before emptying into Arkansas’ White River. This region was once part of an ancient ocean floor millions of years ago which created its rich soil composition that is ideal for farming today. In addition to being home to much agricultural activity, this region also contains some small mountain ranges such as Black Prairie Mountains near Oxford which are home to a variety of wildlife species including black bears and white-tailed deer.
Mississippi also has several major rivers running through it including The Big Black River which runs through central western parts of Mississippi before flowing into Louisiana’s Red River; The Pearl River which forms part of both states’ border between them; The Pascagoula River which forms part eastern border between Alabama; And finally The Tombigbee River which forms part southern border between Alabama before flowing into Mobile Bay at Mobile Point on Alabama’s coast line.
In conclusion, Mississippi’s geography can be divided into two distinct regions: The Gulf Coastal Plain located along its coast line with much swampland and wetlands interspersed throughout; And then The Alluvial Plain located further inland featuring mostly flat terrain with several small mountain ranges dotting its landscape here and there throughout its expanse. These two regions are then further linked together by several major rivers that run through them creating a unique landscape that makes up this great southern state.
Cities in Mississippi
Below are the top 15 cities by population in Mississippi. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Mississippi cities list.
Jackson, Mississippi is the largest city in the state and is known as the “City with Soul.” It is home to a vibrant cultural scene, including a variety of art galleries, museums, and music venues. Jackson also has an abundance of outdoor activities and attractions, such as the Mississippi State Fairgrounds and the Jackson Zoo. In addition to its many attractions, Jackson is also home to several universities and colleges, including Jackson State University and Millsaps College.
Gulfport is another top city in Mississippi located on the Gulf Coast. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, historic sites, shopping centers and more. Gulfport’s beaches are perfect for swimming or sunbathing during the summer months while enjoying live music from local bands playing at one of its many bars or clubs along Beach Boulevard. The city also has many parks for visitors to explore such as Jones Park which features a walkable boardwalk along the beachfront. Visitors can also take a boat ride out to Ship Island where they can spend some time snorkeling or fishing in its waters. Finally, Gulfport also hosts events throughout the year such as Mardi Gras parades and boat races that attract tourists from all over the world.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | 156,803 |
| 2 | Gulfport | 72,468 |
| 3 | Southaven | 54,141 |
| 4 | Biloxi | 49,061 |
| 5 | Hattiesburg | 47,074 |
| 6 | Olive Branch | 39,136 |
| 7 | Tupelo | 37,872 |
| 8 | Meridian | 35,625 |
| 9 | Greenville | 30,175 |
| 10 | Clinton | 27,830 |
| 11 | Madison | 27,459 |
| 12 | Pearl | 27,017 |
| 13 | Horn Lake | 26,623 |
| 14 | Oxford | 25,859 |
| 15 | Brandon | 24,887 |
Counties in Mississippi
The State of Mississippi consists of 82 counties. They are:
- Adams County, Mississippi
- Alcorn County, Mississippi
- Amite County, Mississippi
- Attala County, Mississippi
- Benton County, Mississippi
- Bolivar County, Mississippi
- Calhoun County, Mississippi
- Carroll County, Mississippi
- Chickasaw County, Mississippi
- Choctaw County, Mississippi
- Claiborne County, Mississippi
- Clarke County, Mississippi
- Clay County, Mississippi
- Coahoma County, Mississippi
- Copiah County, Mississippi
- Covington County, Mississippi
- DeSoto County, Mississippi
- Forrest County, Mississippi
- Franklin County, Mississippi
- George County, Mississippi
- Greene County, Mississippi
- Grenada County, Mississippi
- Hancock County, Mississippi
- Harrison County, Mississippi
- Hinds County, Mississippi
- Holmes County, Mississippi
- Humphreys County, Mississippi
- Issaquena County, Mississippi
- Itawamba County, Mississippi
- Jackson County, Mississippi
- Jasper County, Mississippi
- Jefferson County, Mississippi
- Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi
- Jones County, Mississippi
- Kemper County, Mississippi
- Lafayette County, Mississippi
- Lamar County, Mississippi
- Lauderdale County, Mississippi
- Lawrence County, Mississippi
- Leake County, Mississippi
- Lee County, Mississippi
- Leflore County, Mississippi
- Lincoln County, Mississippi
- Lowndes County, Mississippi
- Madison County, Mississippi
- Marion County, Mississippi
- Marshall County, Mississippi
- Monroe County, Mississippi
- Montgomery County, Mississippi
- Neshoba County, Mississippi
- Newton County, Mississippi
- Noxubee County, Mississippi
- Oktibbeha County, Mississippi
- Panola County, Mississippi
- Pearl River County, Mississippi
- Perry County, Mississippi
- Pike County, Mississippi
- Pontotoc County, Mississippi
- Prentiss County, Mississippi
- Quitman County, Mississippi
- Rankin County, Mississippi
- Scott County, Mississippi
- Sharkey County, Mississippi
- Simpson County, Mississippi
- Smith County, Mississippi
- Stone County, Mississippi
- Sunflower County, Mississippi
- Tallahatchie County, Mississippi
- Tate County, Mississippi
- Tippah County, Mississippi
- Tishomingo County, Mississippi
- Tunica County, Mississippi
- Union County, Mississippi
- Walthall County, Mississippi
- Warren County, Mississippi
- Washington County, Mississippi
- Wayne County, Mississippi
- Webster County, Mississippi
- Wilkinson County, Mississippi
- Winston County, Mississippi
- Yalobusha County, Mississippi
- Yazoo County, Mississippi
