Native American tribes include the Chickasaw and Choctaw.
Other tribes who inhabit the territory of
Mississippi
include the Natchez, the Yazoo, and the Biloxi.
The state takes its name from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi ("Great River").
The first major European expedition into the territory was Hernando de Soto in 1540.
The first settlement, at Ocean Springs, came in Apr 1699.
Mississippi became the 20th state on Dec 10, 1817,
and was the 2nd state to secede from the Union as one of the
Confederate States of America on Jan 9, 1861.
Under the terms of Reconstruction,
Mississippi was readmitted to the
United States on Feb 23, 1870.
Today, Mississippi has around 3 million people
in 82 counties.
Mississippi is entirely composed of
lowlands, the highest point being only 806 feet (246 m) above sea level.
The Mean Elevation of the state is 300 feet (91 m) above sea level.
Mississippi is bordered on the north by
Tennessee, on the east by
Alabama, on the south by
Louisiana and a narrow coast on the Gulf of Mexico,
and on the west, across the
Mississippi River, by
Louisiana and Arkansas.
Mississippi is world famous and historically
significant in the development of the style of music known as "The Blues", especially the Delta region.
The Mississippi Blues Trail has dedicated markers for historic sites.
WEATHER
Mississippi has a hot humid subtropical
climate with long summers and short, mild winters.
Temperatures average between about 82 ° F (28 ° C) in July and
48 ° F (9 ° C) in January.
The temperature varies little state~wide in the summer.
Yearly precipitation generally increases from north to south,
with the regions closer to the Gulf being the most humid.
The northwest gets about 50 inches (1270 mm) of
precipitation annually and the south gets about 61 inches (1550 mm).
Due to seasonal flooding from December to June,
the Mississippi River creates a fertile floodplain in
what is called the Mississippi Delta.
Small amounts of snow fall in northern and central
Mississippi, although snow is not unheard of around the southern
part of the state.
In the late summer and the fall, the state is often affected by hurricanes,
which can be quite devastating in coastal communities.
Mississippi has around 27 tornadoes annually.
ECONOMY
The Mississippi Economic Council
& State Chamber of Commerce
uses a high~tech, 2~way communication database aimed
at linking more than 7000 business leaders in an
effort to influence the legislative process within minutes.
By pulling together coalitions and building a united
business front, the Chamber deals with broad issues that
move Mississippi forward.
Mississippi exports mainly raw materials and imports
mainly manufactured goods.
Lumber is a prevalent industry in Mississippi,
with over 1/2 of the state covered by wild trees;
mostly pine, but also cottonwood, elm, hickory, oak, pecan,
sweetgum and tupelo.
The most important mined products, by far, are petroleum and natural gas.
Other mined products include clays, limestone, lignite and
sand and gravel.
In terms of revenue generated Mississippi's top 5 agricultural products
are broilers (5 to 12 week~old chickens), cotton,
soybeans, aquaculture (farm~raised catfish), and cattle and calves.
Mississippi's most valuable crops are
cotton and soybeans. Production of cotton generates about 13%
of the state's total agriculutural receipts.
Mississippi is the 3rd biggest producer of cotton in the United States.
Also grown are substantial quantities of corn for grain, rice,
and sweet potatoes.
Other crops include grain sorghum, hay for livestock, peanuts,
rice, and wheat.
Important vegetables are sweet potatoes, cucumbers and cowpeas.
The most important fruits are peaches, watermelons and muscadine grapes.
Greenhouse and nursery products are produced as well as pecans.
Manufacturing surpassed farming as a source of jobs in the 1960's.
The garment, textile, and wood-products
industries, based on cotton and timber, grew less rapidly than the heavy industries,
such as motor vehicles
and parts, ocean freighters and tankers,
appliances, generators, and stereo systems.
Processed foods are the most important manufactured products.
Meatpacking & poultry processing are particularly important.
Other food products are beverages, dairy products, grain products
and seasonings.
Furniture is the 2nd ranking enterprise, and the state is one of the country's
leaders in the production of upholstered goods.
Industrial chemicals & pharmaceuticals rank 3rd.
Mississippi is a leading shrimp
producing state. Commercial saltwater products include menhaden, oysters and
red snapper while the freshwater catch includes buffalo
fish, carp and catfish.
Mississippi is the
leading producer of farmed catfish.
Community, business and personal services
(private health care, hotels, law firms, repair shops, casino gaming)
is Mississippi's leading services group.
Casino income in Mississippi ranks 3rd among the states,
behind Nevada and New Jersey, and accounts
for about 3% of total state employment.
The 2nd~ranked group in the services industry is wholesale
(automobiles, farm and forest products, petroleum) and retail
(automobile dealerships, grocery stores, restaurants) trade.
Although the state has one of
the lowest per capita income rates in the United States,
Mississippi has the nation's lowest
cost of living and
consistently ranks as one of the highest per capita
in charitable contributions.
The Mississippi Development Authority is the State of Mississippi’s lead economic and community development agency, engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state.
The agency is organized into 3 groups, Economic Development, Asset Development and Administration and Financial Services.
• The Economic Development Group focuses its efforts in traditional business recruitment and retention, community development, tourism development and export development.
• The Asset Development Group pursues innovative ways to develop unique Mississippi assets such as cultural heritage, natural resources and small town life styles.
• The Administration and Financial Services Group oversees the agency's financial and administrative responsibilities and community development grant programs.
SCHOOLS
The Mississippi State Board of Education
is made up of 9 members who are appointed across the
various branches of government.
The Mississippi State Board of Education has 2 specific goals:
• Reduce the dropout rate by 50% in the next 5~7 years.
• Reach the national average on national assessments in the next 5~7 years.
They have 5 strategies to accomplish these goals:
• Increase the rigor of the curriculum and assessment system.
• Increase the quantity and quality of teachers.
• Increase the quantity and quality of school leaders.
• Create a culture in Mississippi that understands the value of education.
• Redesign education for the 21st Century workforce in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Board of Trustees is the constitutional governing body
of the State Institutions of Higher Learning.
The Board is responsible for policy and financial oversight
of the 8 public universities, 10 off~campus centers,
and various other locations throughout the state.
The Board oversees degree~credit courses, research and public
service activities and programs.
Available programs range from a variety of undergraduate disciplines
to most professional fields.
For more details please contact the
Mississippi Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
With its unique blend of cities and countrysides,
history and modern appeal, porch swings and
riverboat gaming,
Mississippi has something for everyone.
The legendary hospitality of the state makes
visits and vacations memorable.
Where to stay is always at the top of the list when planning
a getaway.
Mississippi lodging is designed with you in mind,
and will help make your stay in the "Hospitality State" more restful
and relaxing.
The choices are boundless, and amenities are bountiful.
Luxury spas, great shopping, amazing exercise facilities,
championship golf courses...
Find what you are looking for with an abundance of
bed and breakfast inns.
Enjoy true Southern grace, irresistible charm, and
a form of hospitality that's every bit as legendary as the state.
Most Mississippi resorts are surprisingly affordable and offer
outstanding opportunities to enjoy top~name entertainment,
incredible cuisine, and non~stop gaming action.
Mississippi
plus excellent conference and
convention centers perfect for any meeting.
Pitching a tent in a beautiful primitive campground or
setting up a home away from home in an RV is another ideal
place to stay while exploring the state.
No matter what type of setup you have -
trailer, recreational vehicle, big rig, motorhome,
tent, or just sleeping under the stars,
Mississippi is a camper's paradise.
State and national parks,
plus many private facilities,
have campsites as secluded or as accessible as your needs require.
Find a wide assortment of accomodations.
Resorts, hotels, motels and inns,
each offering their own brand of service.
Costs for Mississippi rooms
range from economy to extravagant,
depending on your requirements. Major chains, as well as
locally owned business, are plentiful and just waiting to
roll out the red carpet.
For more details please contact
Mississippi State Tourism.
NEWS
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