Mississippi (MS) is located in the south of the USA, the state is known for its rich musical history, mainly focused on the blues. Agriculture is important to the state’s economy, with cotton being the most important commodity grown. The state’s capital and largest city is Jackson. Mississippi was the first US state to ratify the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol, on January 7, 1918.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Mississippi Abbreviation MS Capital Jackson Largest city Jackson (Population: 143 709) Current time 11:09 Time zone CST (UTC-6), state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 2,961,306 (#34 most populous US state) Area 48,434 mi² (#32 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 10, 1817 (#20 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Mississippi
The capital of Mississippi is Jackson, which was founded in 1821. It was named in honor of Andrew Jackson, a war hero of the Battle of New Orleans and later the seventh president of the United States. Jackson became the capital in 1822.
🏙️ Largest City in Mississippi
The largest city in the state of Mississippi is Jackson, with a total population of 143,709 in 2023. The second most populous city is Gulfport with 72,823 people, followed by Southaven with 56,851.
🕒 Time in Mississippi
The current time in Mississippi is 11:09. The entire state is governed by Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) and switches to Daylight Saving Time between March and November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Mississippi
As of 2023, Mississippi had a total population of 2,961,306, making it the 34th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Mississippi
The total area of Mississippi is 48,434 mi², of which 46,952 mi² is land and 1,521 mi² is water. Mississippi is the 32nd largest US state.
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Fun Facts About Mississippi
🧩 Mississippi Neighboring States
Mississippi is bordered by four US states. Louisiana to the southwest, Arkansas to the northwest, Tennessee to the north, and Alabama to the east. In addition, it has a long 44 mi Gulf of Mexico coastline to the south.
📅 Date of Mississippi Statehood
Mississippi entered the Union on December 10, 1817 as the 20th state in the order, its predecessor being the Mississippi Territory.
📛 Nickname of the State of Mississippi
Mississippi is nicknamed “The Magnolia State” after the state’s official flower, which is the magnolia. The white and pink flower is a traditional part of the license plates of cars registered in Mississippi.
The commonly used nickname “The Hospitality State” refers to the characteristic hospitality of Mississippi residents.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Mississippi
The highest peak in Mississippi is with 807 ft Woodall Mountain, a mountain located on the northeastern edge of the state. The peak got its name from Zephaniah Woodall, the sheriff of Tishomingo County, who purchased it and the surrounding land in 1884.
🏞️ Rivers in Mississippi
The longest river in the state of Mississippi is the Mississippi River with a total length of 2,340 mi. It is followed by the Tennessee River (652 mi), Pearl River (444 mi), Big Black River (329 mi), and Hatchie River (238 mi).
🎓 Universities in Mississippi
The largest university is Mississippi State University, which was founded in 1878 and has around 23,000 students. The second largest University of Mississippi has an enrollment of approximately 22 thousand students and the University of Southern Mississippi has about 13.5 thousand students.
✉️ Mississippi ZIP Codes
The state of Mississippi has a reserved zip code range of 386xx-397xx. For more information, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA You can find the zip code for any address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Mississippi
The best time of year to visit Mississippi is fall, when temperatures are more comfortable than in summer and there are fewer rainy days.
Spring in Mississippi tends to be relatively warm and humid. In the largest city, Jackson, temperatures in March are 45°F to 70°F, while in May temperatures are more common, ranging from 63°F to 82°F. Heavy rainfall is common in the spring, and Mississippi is prone to severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Mississippi summers are hot and rainy, with temperatures from June to August ranging between 70°F and 90°F on most days. High humidity can add to the feeling of heat, and storms and hurricanes are more likely to occur in summer.
Fall in Mississippi brings cooler temperatures in October 57°F to 66°F. There are fewer rainy days than in summer, making September and October the best time for hiking and visiting attractions.
Winter in Mississippi is mild, with temperatures in January and February ranging between 37°F and 55°F on most days. Snow cover is rare in this state, but there are many rainy days in winter.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Mississippi
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Things to Do in Mississippi
1️⃣ Tishomingo State Park
Tishomingo State Park is located at the base of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Mississippi. The park is known for its sandstone formations that are suitable for rock climbing. Several hiking trails lead through the park’s beautiful setting, from which historic bridges and cabins can be seen, most of which were built during the Great Depression.
2️⃣ Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444 mi long scenic roadway that connects the city of Natchez, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee. The route passes through forests, wetlands, and historic sites, and follows an ancient trade route used by Native Americans and settlers. At several points along the road there are viewpoints or sites of archaeological interest that are worth stopping at.
3️⃣ Elvis Presley Birthplace
The Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum is located in the northeastern town of Tupelo, where the famous singer was born in 1935. Visitors can tour the tiny house where Elvis grew up, along with a museum filled with items related to his life and work. The grounds include the Assemblies of God Church, where Elvis Presley first sang gospel.
4️⃣ Biloxi Lighthouse
The Biloxi Lighthouse on the Gulf Coast was first lit in 1848, making it one of the oldest lighthouses with a cast-iron tower in the entire United States. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and remains a major symbol of the city of Biloxi to this day.
During its long history, it has survived numerous hurricanes, including the devastating Katrina in 2005. Visitors can climb to the lighthouse’s top and enjoy panoramic views of the entire bay.
5️⃣ Stuckey’s Bridge
Old Stuckey’s Bridge, built in 1901, is one of the most haunted places in all of Mississippi. According to legend, there was a tavern near the bridge owned by gangster Stuckey, who robbed and murdered his guests there. He would then bury their bodies on the riverbank. According to legend, Stuckey was captured and hanged on the bridge after murdering 20 people.
Stuckey now haunts anyone who tries to cross the bridge after dark. The bridge is a favorite haunt of ghost hunters.
6️⃣ USS Cairo Museum
The ironclad USS Cairo was built at the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861. The ship served on the Union side and helped capture Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River in June 1862. She did not last long in service, however, and was sunk in December 1862 while clearing mines.
Her fate was long unknown. The shipwreck was not discovered until 1956, and today visitors can see it at a museum in Vicksburg. The museum’s exhibit includes items found on the ship, including the personal effects of the sailors.
7️⃣ Windsor Ruins
This National Register of Historic Places landmark consists of 23 Corinthian columns that are remnants of the largest mansion in the pre-war architecture style. The mansion was part of a plantation at the time and was built directly by slaves between 1859 and 1861 for Smith Coffee Daniell II, who became wealthy as a cotton planter.
The entire mansion burned down on February 17, 1890, and all that remains are the aforementioned columns. The ruins are easily accessible and suitable for a short stop.
8️⃣ Vicksburg National Military Park
This military park protects the site of the Battle of Vicksburg, one of the most important events of the American Civil War. The Siege of Vicksburg took place from March 29 to July 4, 1863, and ended with the surrender of the city. Memorials in the park pay tribute to both Confederate and Union soldiers. One of the main exhibits, however, is the reconstructed battleship USS Cairo, which was sunk on December 12, 1862, in the Yazoo River.
9️⃣ Gulf Islands National Seashore
The state-protected Gulf Islands coastline includes several islands in the Gulf of Mexico that are popular vacation destinations. There are several hiking trails in the area, and conditions are very good for kayaking and fishing. An interesting historical landmark is Fort Massachusetts, which was built between 1859 and 1866 to strengthen defenses against potential threats in the run-up to the Civil War.
🔟 Mississippi Petrified Forest
The Mississippi Petrified Forest Nature Park is one of the few places in the United States where visitors can see fossilized wood dating back millions of years. A hiking trail runs through the park, with a museum at the end where visitors can learn more about the geology of the area.
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Largest Cities in Mississippi
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Mississippi in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Jackson Hinds, Madison, Rankin 143,709 Map of Jackson 2 Gulfport Harrison 72,823 Map of Gulfport 3 Southaven DeSoto 56,851 Map of Southaven 4 Hattiesburg Forrest, Lamar 48,414 Map of Hattiesburg 5 Biloxi Harrison 48,235 Map of Biloxi 6 Olive Branch DeSoto 47,029 Map of Olive Branch 7 Tupelo Lee 37,675 Map of Tupelo 8 Meridian Lauderdale 33,551 Map of Meridian 9 Pearl Rankin 28,117 Map of Pearl 10 Madison Madison 27,987 Map of Madison -
Sports Teams in Mississippi
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
No teams from Mississippi play in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no team from Mississippi in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Mississippi is not represented in the NBA basketball league.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team that plays MLB in Mississippi.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team from Mississippi in the MLS soccer league.
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Mississippi State Symbols
The following symbols are just a selection of the official ones that are defined by law.
State Flag of Mississippi
The current form of the flag has been in use since January 11, 2021, with its main design being a white magnolia flower on a dark blue field. The flower is surrounded by 20 white stars commemorating the fact that Mississippi became the 20th member of the Union. The golden symbol above the magnolia refers to the indigenous people and “In God We Trust” is the official motto of the USA. A red and gold stripe on either side completes the flag. The old Mississippi flag, which included the Confederate symbol, was rejected in a referendum in 2020.
Great Seal of Mississippi
The Great Seal has been used in its current form since July 1, 2014. The main design is an eagle with wings outstretched, bearing a shield with stars and stripes on its chest. In its talons, the eagle holds an olive branch as a symbol of peace and a quiver of arrows to represent the determination to wage war.
State Song
The official national anthem since 1962 has been Go, Mississippi, written by composer and music teacher William Houston Davis. The lyrics were custom written for the state of Mississippi, celebrating its people and symbolizing pride and loyalty.
State Flower
Since 1900, the official flower of Mississippi has been the magnolia, a symbol for stability in the United States.
State Bird
The bird symbol of Mississippi since 1944 is the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), which is found in all parts of the state.
State Fish
In 1974, a law was passed that expanded the list of state symbols to include the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), which is commonly found, for example, in the Mississippi River.
State Mammal
Mississippi has two symbols, the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Deer are abundant across the state and are popular prey for hunters, added to the list of symbols in 1974. The fox became a symbol in 1997 and can also be seen in local forests.
State Marine Mammal
The state symbol of Mississippi since 1974 is the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), which is abundant in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
State Reptile
The state symbol since 1987 has been the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), which lives in the swamps and wetlands of Mississippi. The state’s alligator population is one of the largest in the entire United States.
State Insect
Since 1980, the symbol of Mississippi has been the honey bee, which is considered to represent diligence and cooperation. It was chosen as a form of support for an important sector of agriculture.
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