The name "Mississippi" comes from an Indian word meaning "great waters" or "father of
waters." Mississippi entered the Union as the 20th state in
1817. Considered part of the Deep South, Mississippi, with its
rich soil and many rivers, is an agricultural state. The state
flower is the fragrant magnolia blossom, and the capital is
Jackson.
State Flower: flower or bloom of the Magnolia
or Evergreen Magnolia
State Motto: By valor and arms
State Nickname: Magnolia State
State Bird: Mockingbird
Land area: 46,914 sq mi. - Length: 340 miles - Width: 170 miles
10 largest cities (1999 est.): Jackson,
180,664; Gulfport, 64,679; Hattiesburg, 49,233; Biloxi, 47,759;
Greenville, 41,731; Meridian, 41,266; Tupelo, 36,817; Southaven,
27,454; Pascagoula, 27,345; Vicksburg, 27,184 - Persons per square mile (1999): 59.0
