|
|
Missouri mirrors the demographic, economic and political makeup of the nation (in general), with a mix of urban and rural culture. It has long been considered a political bellwether state. The agriculture products of the state are beef, soybeans, pork, dairy products, hay, corn, poultry, sorghum, cotton, rice, and eggs.
Missouri is ranked 6th in the nation for the production of hogs and 7th for cattle. It is ranked in the top five states in the nation for production of soy beans.
As of 2001, it had 108,000 farms, the second largest number in any state after Texas. Missouri actively promotes its rapidly growing wine industry.
Missouri has 114 counties and one independent city (St. Louis). The largest county by size is Texas County, followed by Shannon County. Worth County is the smallest.St. Louis City is the most densely populated area (5,724.7 per square miles) in Missouri.
The largest county by population is St. Louis County (991,830 residents), with Jackson County second (668,417 residents), St. Louis third (354,361), and St. Charles fourth (349,407). Worth County is the least populous with 2,039 residents.
|
|
|
Interesting facts about Missouri
- Missouri is known as the "Show Me State," which some say began in 1899 when Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver stated, "I'm from Missouri and you've got to show me."
- The ice cream cone was invented at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904.
- The most powerful earthquake to strike the United States occurred in 1811, centered in New Madrid, Missouri.
- It is unlawful to throw hard objects by hand in Missouri.
- Kansas City has more miles of boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any city except Rome.
- In Missouri, minors are not allowed to purchase cap pistols; however, they may buy shotguns freely.
- Missouri was named after a tribe called Missouri Indians; meaning "town of the large canoes".
- Dancing is strictly prohibited in Missouri.





