Mississippi, Created by Evan
Introduction Words in bold look in Glossary.
Hi! My name is Evan and I picked Mississippi because my cousins live there and before I did this report all I knew was that Mississippi was a state, but now that I do know something about Mississippi. For example, root beer was invented Biloxi. Now Mississippi has become very interesting to me. Mississippi has a very mild climate and as you may know, has the longest river in the United States named after it. I could tell you a bunch more but i don't want to spoil the report. So with out further ado, here is my report on Mississippi.
Mississippi's GeographyMississippi’s area is 48,434
Highest point: Woodall Mountain. There are so many interesting facts in this section, and all you have to do is read it. Mississippi ranks as the 32nd state in size. Part of Mississippi is a few islands in the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River, called Old Man River by some, has changed its course many times. Over thousands of years its flooding made Mississippi’s soils some of the best in the country. Most of the state is made of flat plains and small hills. The fertile plains along the river are called the Delta. Forests cover half the state. Some forests are full of pine trees, and others have hardwood trees like hickory, oak, and sweet gum. Borders Mississippi’s borders are Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Mississippi River The Mississippi River is North America’s largest river. Native Americans gave the river its name meaning “Father of Waters.” The Mississippi River runs from Lake Itasca in Minnesota all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. It forms the state’s western border. The Mississippi River goes through states like Minnesota, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Lakes and Other Rivers Many rivers flow through Mississippi. Many in the western and northern drain into the Mississippi River. Many rivers in the eastern part drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi also has many reservoirs. River dams created these bodies of water. Reservoirs help control flooding and provide water for the Mississippians. In the 1960s, the Ross Barnett Reservoir was built on the Pearl River. It was named after the Governor at the time. Mississippi's Economy and RecoursesNot so many people pay attention to Mississippi’s economy and recourses. But reading this will make you.
For many years Mississippi’s economy was based almost completely on cotton farming. In the 1930s insects called boll weevils destroyed most of the cotton crops in the state. Mississippi realized it could not depend on one farm crop. In 1936 Governor Hugh White started a program called Balance Agriculture with Industry. The program helped new industries get started in Mississippi and brought jobs for local workers. Catfish Farming Mississippi catfish farming started in the area of Belzoni in the 1960s. Farmers there started digging holes to raise catfish as a crop. The delta’s flat land, plentiful ground water, and a mild climate were perfect for raising catfish. In recent years, catfish farming has become the world’s fastest growing industry. Mississippi has more than 400 catfish farms. These farms have more than 113,000 acres of ponds. Mississippi provides 70% of the entire catfish in the United States. Tourism Tourism is an important service industry in Mississippi. Hunters and fishers come from to the state from around the world. Mississippi has more than 1,000,000 acres of excellent game hunting land. In addition, state Reservoirs have some of the best bass fishing in the country. Mississippi has other attractions. Riverboat casinos on the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast bring people and money to the state. Large southern mansions are favorite tourist spot. Many people visit national parks like the Natchez Trace Park and Gulf Islands National Seashore. Manufacturing and Mining Manufacturing makes up the second largest part of Mississippi’s economy. Many factories process meats and seafood. Poultry from farms in processed in large plants in Forest and Laurel. Other food products include dairy products, baked goods, beverages, and seasonings. Mississippians make many products from the state’s natural resources. Workers produce petroleum in the southern corners of the state.like bricks and tiles. Other mineral products include sand, gravel, iron ore, limestone, and salt. The state also makes products from wood. Columbus, Laurel, Louisville, and Vicksburg have large wood processing plants. Some wood products include lumber, paper, particleboard, and fiberboard. |
Mississippi's HistoryTo some of you Mississippi's history can be boring. Well I'm here to prove you wrong.
Civil War
Do you know how many soldiers were buried in the Vicksburg Cemetery? I bet you never guessed 17,000. That’s because during the Civil War the Battle of Champion Hill took place in Mississippi on May 16, 1863. Almost 7,000 soldiers died in the battle. On April 9, 1865, the South surrendered to the North. Mississippi suffered terrible losses from the war. Half of the state’s 78,000 soldiers died. Before Explorers and Settlers Before the Europeans, several tribes lived in what is now known as Mississippi. The tribes were Chickasaw, Choctaw, Biloxi, Natchez, Quapaw, and Tunica. The Chickasaw and Choctaw were traditional enemies and often raided each other’s camps. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century the tribes united and drove the Spanish out. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians still live in Mississippi today. Disasters in Mississippi The Natchez tornado struck in 1840 and killed 300 people. The Great Mississippi Flood devastated the state in 1927.In 2005, Hurricane Katrina lashed through the coastline, killing hundreds. Water levels were so high many people were forced to wait on top of their rooftops until rescuers found them. In 2010, a tornado struck and kills 10 and a state of emergency was declared. Mississippi Bubble The earliest known inhabitants of Mississippi were called the Mound Builders. These native peoples built large earthen burial mounds, many of which still stand today. The descendants of the Mound Builders include the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes who lived in the area when the first European explorers came through. The settlers “bubble burst” when they found that they had to endure terrible conditions such as hunger, malaria, and poisonous snakes. Historians call this the Mississippi Bubble. Civil Rights Movement 100 years after the civil, war the African Americans in Mississippi still had few rights. In 1961, activists called Freedom Riders went to Mississippi to protest unfair laws. Slowly Mississippi began to change, and today many state leaders are African American. There were also Bus Boycotts. That means they walked instead of riding the bus because Rosa Parks got kicked to the back because a white person wanted to sit in the front. They went around with signs that said “No More Buses” and pictures, too Mississippi's ClimateIn this section you will learn how hot it can get in the summer and how cold it can get in the winter.
Seasonal Highs and Lows Summer: 69-91° F Spring: 51-75° F Fall: 52-76° F Winter: 35-57° F Weather Mississippi’s weather is pretty much warm or hot. In the summer, it can reach into the 90s and in the winter it can drop to 35. Mississippi is humid because it is on the Gulf of Mexico, has lots of rivers and lakes, and can get 55 inches of rainfall. Such weather does wonders for crops and keeps the land green, but there are downsides. Heavy rains can lead to serious floods, but it does keep the land healthy. Well, you should be prepared for a flood anyway. |
If I had a day in Mississippiif i had a day in Mississippi i would visit the Mississippi River and ride a Riverboat. Also i would visit the harbor and beaches in Biloxi. Biloxi is home to many beaches with white sand, but you're not swimming in the Ocean, you're swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. So come on down to Mississippi the people are friendly.
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People of MississippiPopulation: 2,978,512.
There are no sports teams in Mississippi. Some people may already know this but … Wait!!! You need to read to find out. Famous people Oprah Winfrey, as an actress and talk show host, Her show became one of the most widely viewed daytime shows on TV. James Earl Jones was the voice of Darth Vader. Jim Henson, as the inventor of the Muppets he had to make a lot of puppets. He made Kermit the Frog from his mother’s old spring coat and a Ping-Pong ball. Walter Payton was a famous football player. He holds the record for rushing in a career. Festivals and Other Big Events In Mississippi the annual Hot Air Balloon Race is held in Natchez, Mississippi in October. Dozens of hot air balloons race down the Mississippi River. Also Mississippi Mardi Gras is filled with parades, music, and dancing. Along the Gulf Coast, it is the biggest party of the year. |
Mississippi's State SymbolsEver wondered what and how many state symbols Mississippi has. Well, you are about to find out.
Bird: Mockingbird Flower: Magnolia Nickname: Magnolia State Dance: Square Dance Shell: Oyster Shell Song: “Go Mississippi” Tree: Magnolia Waterfowl: Wood Duck Stone: Petrified wood Animal: White-Tailed Deer Beverage: Milk Butterfly: Spicebush Swallowtail Fish: Largemouth or Black Bass Insect: Honey Bee Land Mammal: Red Fox Water Mammal: Bottlenose Dolphin Motto: “By Virtue and Arms” Toy: Teddy Bear Automobile Museum: The Tupelo Auto Museum INC Grand Opera House: Grand Opera House of Meridian Natural Science Museum: Mississippi Game and Fish Commissions Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Language: English Industrial Historic Museum: The Mississippi Industrial Museum INC. Soil: Natchez Slit Loam Wildflower: Coreopsis Reptile: American Alligator |
Government of MississippiWhen you’re done with this section, you’ll be begging for more.
State Abbreviation: MS Governor: Phil Bryant: Republican U.S Senators: Thad Cochran [R] Roger Wicker [R] U.S Representatives: 4, 3 republican 1 Democratic State senators: 52 State Representatives: 122 Counties: 82 State Capital: Jackson No Representatives were ever elected Governor between 1874 and 1991. Mississippi’s state capital building looks like the U.S. capital. GlossaryReservoir: an artificial lake where water is kept in quantity for use.
Earthen: Made from earth materials or baked clay. Descendants: A person, plant, or animal that has descended from a particular ancestor |
BibliographyMississippi." CultureGrams States Edition. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 25 Apr 2013.”
Deady, Kathleen W. Mississippi. Mankato, MN: Capstone, 2004. Print Shoulders, Micheal. M is for Magnolia. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear , 2005. Print. Ready, Ann. Mississippi. Minneapolis, MN: Learner Publications, 1993. Print. "Mississippi State Symbols." Netstate.com. NState, 27 Mar. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/ms_symb.htm>. |
Picture Creditshttp://www.animalspot.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Jumping-Bottlenose-Dolphin.jpg Bottlenose Dolphin
http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/a_w_root_beer.jpg Root beer http://patricianeelydorsey.webs.com/magnolia%20flower.jpg Magnolia Flower http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/Payton_Action_180x220.jpg Walter Payton http://blog.woodalls.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Mtn-Lake- 300-225 .jpg Woodall Mountain http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/marine/fish/graphics/catfish.jpg Catfish http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/images/birds/northern_mockingbird1_small.jpg Mo |