ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/states-bordering-the-mississippi-river-4164136. Briney, Amanda. Mississippi. During a meandering 2,350 mile journey south to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River is joined by hundreds of tributaries, including the Ohio and Missouri Rivers. After it passes New Madrid, it heads south. ThoughtCo. Iowa is known for its agricultural abundance, and no wonder, since it hosts some of the world’s most fertile soil. The Mississippi Delta, in the northwest section of the state, is considered "the most southern place on earth" and boasts a rich history. The Start of the Mississippi River in Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota where the Mississippi is born and cut through the center of the Country. The Mississippi River is one of the longest in the world, coming in fourth at 3,870 miles long. The Mississippi embayment is a broad trough filled with marine sedimentary rocks about 50-100 millions years old and river sediments less than 5 millions years old. The Mississippi River is the second longest river in North America, flowing 2,350 miles from its source at Lake Itasca through the center of the continental United States to the Gulf of Mexico. It is about 2,350 miles long. Kentucky is also known for being home to Colonel Sanders and his famous Kentucky Fried Chicken chain, not to mention some of the best bourbon in the world. The Missouri comes up from the southwest, then curves east to join the larger river. 14. Countdown to Four Billion: Content Updates. Water from parts or all of 31 states drains into the Mississippi River, and creates a drainage basin over 1,245,000 square miles in size. Of course, if you’re well versed in geography, […], (Last Updated On: February 8, 2021) Piri Reis In 1929, a map was found inside Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, which had recently been converted into a museum. The river starts at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and runs 2,320 miles to its mouth in New Orleans at the Gulf of Mexico. This Deep South state is perhaps best known for its rocking festivals and parties, including the Essence Music Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and, of course, the world famous Mardi Gras Festival. So, what states does the Mississippi River pass through? For its first 650 miles, it meanders through Minnesota's stately pine forests, iron ranges and a deep valley, as well as through the heart of the Twin Cities. What states border the Mississippi River? The Missouri River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, is about 100 miles longer. See the Chickasaw Bluffs rising high above the flood plain. The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, with a length of 2,340 miles (3,770 km) from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. "States That Border the Mississippi River." The river snaked where it was expected to be a more direct path through the states and this was only discovered by surveyors after their borders were already finalized—they gave the unconnected hunk of land to Kentucky. River Severn | River Thames. States That Border the Mississippi River. In all, that river is 2,320 miles long, the fourth longest river in the world. The Mississippi emerges into the Gulf of Mexico, south of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The capital city, Jackson, has been nicknamed the “crossroads of the South.”, Tennessee is largely known for its diverse musical heritage. Running along both sides of the Mississippi River southward toward the Gulf of Mexico, the road passes through historic river towns such as Tallulah, Vidalia, Morganza, Plaquemine, … The Mississippi River System, also referred to as the Western Rivers, is a mostly riverine network of the United States which includes the Mississippi River and connecting waterways. | What is the Capital of South Africa? This Deep... 2. The Mississippi River is narrowest at its headwaters— between 20 and 30 feet (6 to 9 meters), accordin… The Mississippi River drains a large portion (41 percent) of the nation's interior, flowing through or bordering ten states from north to south. In the other states, the Mississippi River forms a border of the state. The source of the Mississippi is Lake Itasca in Minnesota, near the border with Canada.The Mississippi flows south through the middle of the United States. Missouri The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States at 2,540 miles long. Mississippi is known for its Southern culture and hospitality, as well as for the prevalence of gorgeous magnolia trees that can be found growing across the state. The New Madrid seismic zone is located in the northern part of what has been called the Mississippi embayment. In Memphis the river is both an attraction and a thoroughfare for commerce and transportation. The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, with a length of 2,340 miles (3,770 km) from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. The Ohio River is a major river artery of the east-central United States. The soil in areas such as Louisiana was thereafter found to be very rich. The state produces so much corn and other agricultural products that it has been nicknamed the “Corn State.” Iowa was home to American historical figures like Chief Black Hawk and Herbert Hoover. As you may well know the River is so large that it actually splits the Unites States in half. Write a two page report on one of the states that borders the river; A worksheet for the state reports can be found here. Historic Louisiana cities Baton Rouge and New Orleans are both Mississippi River cities. The Missouri Riverforms the northern part of our state’s western border, then crosses west-to-east through the center of the state to join the Mississippi at St. Louis. Yes. That was obvious to explorers, but the Upper Mississippi River made a convenient boundary between the United States and the French Louisiana Territory. The longest river in the United States is a Mississippi tributary, the Missouri River, measuring 2,540 miles (4,090 km). It also provides a much needed source of irrigation for farmland in the surrounding area, resulting in one of the most fertile and productive stretches in the United States. Spelling and vocabulary words associated with rivers found here; Read short stories about the river … The river, its tributaries, and distributaries drain thirty-one states in the US as well as two Canadian provinces. The long journey of the Mississippi River ends in Louisiana. The middle of the riverbed at the time the borders were established was the line to define the borders between states. At 444 miles (715 km) long, it is the longest river on the East Coast of the United States. 11. Missouri is known for being home to Anheuser-Busch, one of the largest beer producers in the world. That's a lot of water being transported on a daily basis. The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States and the largest by volume. Continuing through central and southern South Dakota, the river then forms a section of the South Dakota– Nebraska boundary, the Nebraska– Iowa boundary, the Nebraska– Missouri boundary, and the northern section of the Kansas –Missouri boundary. Wisconsin and four other states co-manage the Upper Mississippi River, which comprises about 1,250 miles (2,012 km) of the Mississippi's length and includes all water north of Cairo, Illinois. The Susquehanna River (/ ˌ s ʌ s k w ə ˈ h æ n ə /; Lenape: Siskëwahane) is a major river located in the Northeastern United States and the Mid-Atlantic region. louisianatravel.com. The source of the Mississippi is Lake Itasca in Minnesota, near the border with Canada.The Mississippi flows south through the middle of the United States. The source of the Mississippi River is believed to be Lake Itasca in Minnesota and its mouth the Gulf of Mexico. The long journey of the Mississippi River ends in Louisiana. With its tributaries, the Mississippi River drains all or part of 31 U.S. states and two provinces in Canada. The Mississippi River crosses the eastern border of Missouri, a state where Midwest and Southern American culture come together. Illinois. The river is divided into three pieces consisting of the upper, lower, and middle Mississippi River. The Mississippi River stretches across the great country of America for no less than an impressive 2,320 miles. Further reading: Why isn’t Arkansas Pronounced like Kansas? This scenic portion of the Lower Mississippi River offers diverse landscapes. The river passes through or borders 10 states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. The end of the Mississippi River is around a 100 miles downstream from New Orleans finishing off the 2348 miles run draining 31 states and going through 10. https://traveltips.usatoday.com/five-major-rivers-midwest-105692.html The river provides not only drinking water, irrigation, recreation, and watersports for the inhabitants who live close to its banks, but also water for the wildlife and plants that live and flourish along its vast length. (2020, August 27). The following are all of the towns it travels through. In 1886, he told the Chicago Tribune, “Along the Upper Mississippi every hour brings something new. The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in North America, and has had a major influence on the founding of the United States. approximate length of the Mississippi River. A Complete List of Official Disney Princesses. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University. It's typically considered the second longest river in the United States, although some geologists believe it is the longest river, whereas the Mississippi has the largest drainage area. States along the Mississippi River are: Area: 55,584 square miles (143,963 sq km) Population: 12,741,080. Further reading: Funny Kentucky Derby Horse Names. The Mississippi River drains a large portion (41 percent) of the nation's interior, flowing through or bordering ten states from north to south. It is about 2,350 miles long. The Missouri River runs through the states of Missouri, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Montana and Kansas. Here we will provide you with maps of the Mississippi River. The river starts at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and ends in Southern Louisiana at the Gulf of Mexico, making New Orleans a major port city. Avoid the ‘I’ US States: The Sporcle Featured Quiz of the Week, The Sporcle Guide on How to Disable Your Ad Blocker, 24 of the Best Sites to Kill Time On the Internet. The area, population, and capital city of each state have been included for reference. The states touched by the Mississippi River are: Minnesota, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Iowa, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and, of course, Mississippi. The river is so large that we felt it necessary to provide multiple maps of this diverse region. approximate length of the Mississippi River. The name “Mississippi” actually comes from a Native American word for “big river.”. Arkansas River, large tributary of the Mississippi River, rising in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains near Leadville in central Colorado, U.S., and flowing generally east-southeastward for 1,460 miles (2,350 km) through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas before entering the Mississippi 40 miles 13. Label the body of water that the Mississippi River flows into on your map. This means that it would take the average human 645 hours non-stop to walk the length of the Mississippi from head to mouth. Between its headwaters in Montana and its confluence with the Mississippi at St. Louis, it is 2,341 miles long — the longest river on the continent. Generally, which direction does the Mississippi flow? Easily the … It bends northwest, then west, southwest, then turns abruptly north. To the surprise of many, the Missouri River is slightly longer than the Mississippi River, making it the longest river system in the United States. The Mississippi River drains about 41% of United States water. This mighty river runs for 2,300 miles from Three Forks, Montana, to St. Louis, where it joins the Mississippi River. The History of the Mississippi River. the mississippi river runs through minnesota,wisconsin,iowa, illinois,missouri, kentucky,tennessee,arkansas,mississippi,and louisiana. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/states-bordering-the-mississippi-river-4164136. And more than once in its history, it has actually flowed backward as a result of natural disasters. The states touched by the Mississippi River are: Minnesota, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Iowa, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and, of course, Mississippi. These include Burlington, Bettendorf, Clinton, Davenport, Dubuque, and Marquette. It is approximately 1,450 miles (2,334 km) in length and it drains an area of about 246,000 square miles (637,000 sq km). New Badges: Pity the Fool, Religion Ramen, and Rack-to-Rack Champion, 14 Classic April Fools’ Jokes to Use For Inspiration, What States Border Arizona? The second-longest river in the U.S. and the fourth longest in the world, the Mississippi River gets its start at Lake Itasca and flows through nine other states, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. It also travels through several major cities including Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. Label the body of water that the Mississippi River flows into on your map. 12. There are crow… Iowa takes advantage of its location by offering riverboat rides on the Mississippi River in several cities. Huck explains how he and Jim “read” the river and conclude that they have floated past Cairo, Illinois, where they had planned to land, in order to take a steamboat up the Ohio River into the free states. This scenic portion of the Lower Mississippi River offers diverse landscapes. The Mississippi borders the following states: Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Louisiana. The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the United States and fourth-longest in the world. From its source, the Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the Mississippi River meanders southwards to form the Mississippi River Delta at its mouth before draining into the Gulf of Mexico. The state of Mississippi was named for the famous river that runs through it. Let’s take a look. Mississippi River, the longest river of North America, draining with its major tributaries an area of approximately 1.2 million square miles, or about one-eighth of the entire continent. 11. 1. The Mississippi River runs through three states: Mississippi, Illinois, and Louisiana. The Mississippi River runs through 10 states and was used to define portions of these states' borders. There is some disagreement amongst geologists about whether this is really the river's beginning—some say that the headwaters might be in North Dakota—but Minnesota is generally accepted as the northernmost state that touches the river. The Great River Road runs along the river for 250 miles. Experience the […] The Mississippi River runs through or along 10 states, from Minnesota to Louisiana, and is used to define portions of these states' borders, with Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi along the east side of the river, and Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas along its west side. Generally, which direction does the Mississippi flow? The unofficial state motto, “Show Me State,” is on display on the license plates and has been attributed to a 19th century Congressman named Willard Vandiver. This state, called "the Prairie State", features Chicago, one of the largest and most populous cities in the U.S. The Upper Mississippi River is not the main stem of the Mississippi River. It is a small peninsula that technically belongs to Kentucky but is not in physical contact with the state at all. In the United States, the Mississippi drains about fifty-nine percent of the country's rivers. Mississippi's extensive river region is the birthplace of the Delta blues and it contains Delta swamps, bayous, and wetlands. 3 Capital Cities? This great river, often referred to as the “Mighty Mississippi,” originates as a small brook flowing out of Lake Itasca in Minnesota and, 2,340 miles later, empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The population estimates were reported by the United States Census Bureau in 2018. The Mississippi River is the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is approximately 652 miles (1,049 km) long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley.The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names, as the Cherokee people had their homelands along its banks, especially in what are now East Tennessee and northern Alabama. The Red River, or sometimes the Red River of the South, is a major river in the Southern United States. It joins the Ohio and Missouri River before ending in the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River is the largest drainage basin in the United States. The Mississippi emerges into the Gulf of Mexico, south of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Think you can remember them all? It was created by a Turkish admiral and cartographer […], (Last Updated On: March 3, 2020) Founded on April 21, 1960, Brasília is one of the youngest capitals in the world. In the United States, the Mississippi drains about fifty-nine percent of the country's rivers. There are 33 river towns along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Amanda Briney, M.A., is a professional geographer. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway runs through ten scenic states — Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Mississippi is … Illinois has the largest population of all Mississippi River border states but not the greatest total area. The longest is its tributary the Missouri River measuring 2,341 mi (3,767 km). The state capital, Nashville, is center of the world’s country music scene, and has earned the nickname “Music City.”. Today, the history of the Mighty Mississippi is commemorated at National and State parks, museums, interpretive centers, and at numerous events. The Mississippi River is the largest and most important river in North America. Together with the Mississippi River, it forms the fourth largest river system in the world. During its journey across America, beginning all the way up at Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota and winding all the way south until it empties into the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi transverses no less than 10 American states before reaching its final destination. Plenty, apparently.Even the river’s resident literary laureate, Mark Twain, noted how much of the 2,320-mile Mississippi’s finest landscape has been long overlooked as our collective gaze has been fixed upon the river below St. Louis. What more can be said about the mighty Mississippi River that hasn’t been said already? Today, the Mississippi River powers a significant segment of the economy in the upper Midwest. Cities on the Mississippi River The Mississippi River System, also referred to as the Western Rivers, is a mostly riverine network of the United States which includes the Mississippi River and connecting waterways. Its largest city is Memphis, Tennessee.The name "Mississippi" comes from a Native American name that means "big river." Capital: … Minnesota is known as the “Land of 1000 Lakes,” and as such, serves as an appropriate starting place for the great Mississippi River. You can visit Vicksburg to see the site of an important Civil War battle. Here is everything you need to know about the river, including how wide and how long the Mississippi River is, plus ideas for how to enjoy it. Briney, Amanda. Its largest city is Memphis, Tennessee.The name "Mississippi" comes from a Native American name that means "big river." 13. On May 8, 1541 Hernando de Soto became the first recorded white man to reach the Mississippi River, which he called "Rio de Espiritu Santo" (River of the Holy Spirit). The Mississippi River watershed drains the river systems that are positioned between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians. The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States and the largest by volume. See the Chickasaw Bluffs rising high above the flood plain. Illinois. The word Mississippi comes from the Ojibwe name for the river, "Messipi", which means big river, or from the Algonquin Missi Sepe, "great river," literally, "father of waters." There are a number of tributaries large and small that flow into the river, including the Ohio, Missouri, and Red rivers. The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, with a length of 2,320 mi (3,734 km) from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in Gulf of Mexico. (Last Updated On: October 17, 2019) It’s a simple question that comes up more often than you might think: what country has three A’s in its name? Actually, the Mississippi River is along the border of 10 states but it runs "through" Minnesota and Louisiana, as well as a tiny portion of Illinois (Kaskaskia). Further reading: Why is Chicago called the Windy City? It was named for its reddish water color from passing through red-bed country in its watershed. Many riverboats are rented and docked through casinos. The Missouri River is one of America’s most important natural resources. A Tennessee trip down the Mississippi ends in Memphis, where you could travel through scenic country featuring the Chickasaw Bluffs on the western side of Tennessee past the site of a Civil War battle, an area now called Fort Pillow State Park. Arkansas is home to two different mountain ranges, the Ouachitas and the Ozarks. Perhaps the most storied of the 10 Mississippi River states, a trip along Louisiana’s segment of the Great River Road is an unforgettable trip. 12. A Complete Guide, 101 More Interesting Trivia Facts That Will Blow Your Mind. The headwaters of the Mississippi River have historically been recorded as being in Lake Itasca, in the northern part of the state of Minnesota. It starts in Minnesota and runs through or borders 10 states including Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi. The states touched by the Mississippi River are: Minnesota, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Iowa, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and, of course, Mississippi. The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It flows more than 3,800 kilometers (2,350 mi) from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and stretches to as many as 17 kilometers (11 mi) wide at one point. It is approximately 652 miles (1,049 km) long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley.The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names, as the Cherokee people had their homelands along its banks, especially in what are now East Tennessee and northern Alabama. Which Continent – Is Russia Part of Europe or Asia? The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River as it runs along the western side of Tennessee. Here This is the area around New Madrid, MO. The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in North America, and has had a major influence on the founding of the United States. Louisville, Kentucky is famously home to the most well-attended horse race in the world, the annual Kentucky Derby. These waters continue on for another 1,500 miles to the Gulf of Mexico, making the Missouri/ Mississippi River complex the … And what does the name “Mississippi” even mean? What tributary (stream or river) of the Mississippi River is your school closest to? What States Border the Mississippi River? | Sporcle Blog, 50 More Trivia Facts to Confuse Strangers With, What Countries are Landlocked? South of Cairo, the Mississippi River still symbolizes freedom and escape to Huck and Jim. In Missouri, you can visit St. Louis to see where the Missouri River joins the Mississippi. What Is the Real Meaning Behind ‘Ring Around the Rosie’? The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River as it runs along the western side of Tennessee. The river doesn't just border states, it creates borders (or partial borders) for several states. Learn about agriculture on your next visit to Arkansas. The Mississippi River is a river in the United States.It is one of the longest rivers in the world. Indeed the name Minnesota is derived from a Dakota Indian word for “water.” The state has numerous alternate nicknames including “the Bread and Butter State” and “L’etoile du Nord,” which is French for “Star of the North.”. Most tourists love visiting the capital of Brazil because of its fresh, modern look—not […], Countdown to Four Billion: Features and Changes. The Mississippi is the second river from the left, with the Missouri River shown flowing into it as well. The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. Counting its many tributaries, including the Missouri River, it drains all or parts of 31 states and 2 provinces, between the Rockies and … The Lower Mississippi River begins and the Upper Mississippi River ends in Cairo, Illinois. The state of Mississippi was named for the famous river that runs through it. The Mississippi River runs through three states: Mississippi, Illinois, and Louisiana. Even more impressive, its tributaries feed no less than 32 states and 2 Canadian provinces. the river begins in minnesota and ends flowing into the gulf of mexico Wisconsin is America’s number one producer of dairy and cheese products, and has thus justly earned its nickname as “America’s Dairyland.” It has traditionally been a hub of German American and Scandinavian culture. There are seven major riverfront towns that are found along the Mississippi River namely Memphis (TN), Minneapolis (MN), New Orleans (LA), St. Louis (MO), Saint Paul (MN), Baton Rouge (LA), and Davenport (IA). 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