Missouri

Missouri

Missouri is located in the Midwestern United States. It is bordered by Iowa to the north, Illinois to the east, Arkansas to the south, and Kansas to the west. The state is located near the geographic center of the United States at the junction of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the two longest rivers in the country. The Missouri River flows through the center of the state and the Mississippi River forms the state's eastern border. Because of its central location at the junction of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, Missouri is a major transportation crossroads. The state is a center of water, land, and air transportation. Kansas City, Missouri's largest city, and St. Louis, the state's second largest city, are leading air travel, train, and trucking centers. Missouri's capital is Jefferson City.

Missouri was named after the Missouri River, the longest river in the United States. Missouri is an Algonquin Indian word meaning "river of the big canoes." The state's most famous nickname is the "Show Me State." The name probably comes from a speech given in 1899 in Philadelphia by Missouri Congressman Willard D. Vandiver, in which he said, "I come from a country that raises corn, cotton, cockleburs, and Democrats. I'm from Missouri, and you've got to show me."

Missouri is one of the country's chief agricultural states and the most important manufacturing state in the Midwest. The state is a chief producer of beef, cattle, corn, hogs, and soybeans. Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas, separated by the state line, make up a major grain and livestock market. More than two-thirds of Missouri's residents live in cities and more than a quarter of those people live in St. Louis and Kansas City, the eastern and western border cities. Most of the state's workers are employed in service industries, including government, health care, and retail trade.

The number of international students in Missouri grew by more than 18 percent during the 2009–2010 academic school year. Missouri is ranked 16th in the nation for its ability to attract international students. This is due in part to the variety of excellent universities and colleges for international students to choose from. The University of Missouri is the state's largest public university. Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) is another of Missouri's top-ranked institutions.

List of colleges and universities in Missouri

Official Website of the State of Missouri

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