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Missouri History, Geography, Population, State Facts

The Show Me State

Great Seal of the State of Missouri

Adopted on January 11, 1822.

The Great Seal was designed by Judge Robert William Wells and adopted by the Missouri General Assembly on January 11, 1822. The center of the state seal is composed of two parts. On the right is the United States coat-of-arms containing the bald eagle. In its claws are arrows and olive branches, signifying that the power of war and peace lies with the U.S. federal government. On the left side of the shield, the state side, are a grizzly bear and a silver crescent moon. The crescent symbolizes Missouri at the time of the state seal's creation, a state of small population and wealth which would increase like the new or crescent moon; it also symbolizes the "second son," meaning Missouri was the second state formed out of the Louisiana Territory.

Hernando DeSoto visited the Missouri area in 1541. France's claim to the entire region was based on Sieur de la Salle's travels in 1682. French fur traders established Ste. Genevieve in 1735, and St. Louis was first settled in 1764.

The U.S. gained Missouri from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and the territory was admitted as a state following the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Throughout the preCivil War period and during the war, Missourians were sharply divided in their opinions about slavery and in their allegiances, supplying both Union and Confederate forces with troops. However, the state itself remained in the Union.

Historically, Missouri played a leading role as a gateway to the West, St. Joseph being the eastern starting point of the Pony Express, while the much-traveled Santa Fe and Oregon trails began in Independence.

Capital City: Jefferson City

Missouri State Capitol Tour

Missouri: State of Missouri Official Web Site

Admission to Statehood: Click for Date & List

Airports: Airports Map ? Airport Links

Amtrak: Midwest

Area: 69709 sq.mi, 21st ? Land 68898 sq. mi., 18th ? Water 811 sq.mi., 34th

Area Codes: Missouri

Biographies: Famous People from Missouri

Bird: Eastern Bluebird

Border States: Regional List ??Arkansas ?? Illinois ?? Iowa ?? Kansas ?? Kentucky ?? Nebraska ?? Oklahoma ?? Tennessee

Cam World: Live Web Cams

Climate: Missouri

Community Pages: Missouri Cities, Towns, Communities List

Constitution: 24th State

County Profile: County Map ? 114 Counties

Courts: Judicial System

Current Events: Missouri News Headlines

Department of: Education ? Certification? ? Lincoln University Of Missouri Established in 1866. ? University of Missouri St Louis ? Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, founded in1853.

Driving: DMV

Economy: Agriculture: Cattle, soybeans, hogs, dairy products, corn, poultry and eggs.?? Industry: Transportation equipment, food processing, chemical products, electric equipment, fabricated metal products.

Flag: Missouri (MO)

Flower: Hawthorn ? Crataegus

Cyndi's List ?? Historical Societies

Geographic Center: Miller, 20 miles southwest of Jefferson City

Geology Maps: Miissouri

Ghost Towns: Ghost Towns

Governor: Office of Governor

Highest Point: Taum Sauk Mountain; 1,772 feet, 41st

Highways: Missouri Highways ? ?Historic Route 66

History: History Timeline ?? Civil War ?

Hotels, Motels & Inns:

Kids Corner: State of Missouri Kids Site