Capital: Topeka State abbreviation/Postal code: Kans./KS Governor: Kathleen Sebelius, D (to Jan. 2011) Lieut. Governor: Mark Parkinson, D (to Jan. 2011) Senators: Sam Brownback, R (to Jan. 2011); Pat Roberts, R (to Jan. 2009) U.S. Representatives: 4 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Ron Thornburgh, R (to Jan. 2011) Treasurer: Lynn Jenkins, R (to Jan. 2011) Atty. General: Paul Morrison, D (to Jan. 2011) Organized as territory: May 30, 1854 Entered Union (rank): Jan. 29, 1861 (34) Present constitution adopted: 1859 Motto: Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulties) State symbols: | flower | sunflower (1903) | | tree | cottonwood (1937) | | bird | western meadowlark (1937) | | animal | buffalo (1955) | | song | “Home on the Range” (1947) |
Nicknames: Sunflower State; Jayhawk State Origin of name: From a Sioux word meaning “people of the south wind” 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Wichita, 354,865; Overland Park, 164,811; Kansas City, 144,210; Topeka, 121,946; Olathe, 111,334; Lawrence, 81,816; Shawnee, 57,628; Manhattan, 48,668; Salina, 45,956; Lenexa, 43,434 Land area: 81,815 sq mi. (211,901 sq km) Geographic center: In Barton Co., 15 mi. NE of Great Bend Number of counties: 105 Largest county by population and area: Johnson, 506,562 (2005); Butler, 1,428 sq mi. State parks: 24 Residents: Kansan 2005 resident population est.: 2,744,687 2000 resident census population (rank): 2,688,418 (32). Male: 1,328,474 (49.4%); Female: 1,359,944 (50.6%). White: 2,313,944 (86.1%); Black: 154,198 (5.7%); American Indian: 24,936 (0.9%); Asian: 46,806 (1.7%); Other race: 90,725 (3.4%); Two or more races: 56,496 (2.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 188,252 (7.0%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 73.5; 65 and over: 13.3; median age: 35.2. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office | 
