Origin of name: Named after the Missouri Indian tribe.
“Missouri” means “town of the large
canoes.”
10 largest cities (2005 est.):Kansas City, 444,965;
St. Louis, 344,362;
Springfield, 150,298;
Independence,
110,208; Columbia, 91,814;
Lee's Summit, 80,338; St. Joseph, 72,661; O'Fallon, 69,694; St.
Charles, 62,304; St. Peter's, 54,209
2000 resident census population (rank):
5,595,211 (17). Male: 2,720,177 (48.6%); Female:
2,875,034 (51.4%). White: 4,748,083 (84.9%); Black:
629,391 (11.2%); American Indian: 25,076 (0.4%);
Asian: 61,595 (1.1%); Other race: 45,827 (0.8%);
Two or more races: 82,061 (1.5%); Hispanic/Latino:
118,592 (2.1%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 74.5;
65 and over: 13.5; median age: 36.1.
Hernando de Soto 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 pre–Civil 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.
Missouri's economy is highly diversified. Service industries provide
more income and jobs than any other segment, and include a growing tourism
and travel sector. Wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and
agriculture also play significant roles in the state's economy.
Missouri is a leading producer of transportation equipment (including
automobile manufacturing and auto parts), beer and beverages, and defense
and aerospace technology. Food processing is the state's fastest-growing
industry.
Missouri mines produce 90% of the nation's principal (non-recycled)
lead supply. Other natural resources include iron ore, zinc, barite,
limestone, and timber.
The state's top agricultural products include grain, sorghum, hay,
corn, soybeans, and rice. Missouri also ranks high among the states in
cattle and calves, hogs, and turkeys and broilers. A vibrant wine industry
also contributes to the economy.
Tourism draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to a number of Missouri
points of interest: the country-music shows of Branson; Bass Pro Shops
national headquarters (Springfield); the Gateway Arch at the Jefferson
National Expansion (St. Louis); Mark Twain's boyhood home
(Hannibal); the Harry S. Truman home and
library (Independence); the scenic beauty of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways;
and the Pony Express and Jesse
James museums (St. Joseph). The state's different lake regions also
attract fishermen and sun-seekers from throughout the Midwest.
