Explore this Map of Missouri to know everything you want to know. Learn about the location of this state in the United States of America. Check out its geography, time zones, history, major cities, national parks, trails, flag, capital, and many more.

About Missouri

Missouri is the 24th state of the United States, which was admitted to the Union on August 10, 1821. Jefferson City is Missouri’s capital city. While Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri, Greater St. Louis is the largest metro and urban area. 

English and Spanish are the major spoken languages. In the US, Missouri is the 19th most populous state. Mother of the West, Show Me State, and Cave State are some of its nicknames. “Salus Populi suprema lex esto (Latin)” is the State Motto. It means “Let the good of the people be the supreme law.” Learn more about this US state from Facts of Missouri.

Missouri Flag

Missouri’s state flag has three equal horizontal stripes of color:

• Red Stripe (at the top): It represents courage.
• White stripe (at the middle): It represents purity.
• Blue stripe (at the bottom): It represents justice, vigilance, and permanency.

This flag has a 7:12 proportion. The arms of Missouri are placed at the center of the flag, which overlaps all the three horizontal stripes. On March 22, 1913, the state flag of Missouri was established. It was officially adopted when the State flag act was signed by the then-governor Elliot Woolfolk Major. 

A blue band of 24 five-pointed stars of white color encircles the seal of Missouri at the center of the flag. These stars symbolize the admission of Missouri to the Union as the 24th state. “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto” (which means Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law) is written on a scroll below the image. 

Missouri State Symbols

The design of the state seal of Missouri consists of:

• Coat of arms including:
  • Great Seal of the United States (on the right-hand side of the image)
  • Virgin Mary symbol, a crescent moon (at the top left)
  • A bear (at the bottom left) at the center circle symbolizes bravery and strength
  • Twenty-three five-pointed stars are there on the crest. A larger five-pointed star rises to join the other stars. This indicates that Missouri is the 24th state that joined the Union. 
  • To represent the sovereignty of Missouri, a helmet has been placed above the shield.
• “United we stand, divided we fall” is written on a gold-colored belt buckle surrounding the coat of arms. This symbolizes that the state of Missouri can unbuckle and secede from the Union if needed. 
• The center shield is supported by two native bears, who are the supporters.
• “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto” (which means Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law) is written on a scroll below the image.
• The words “The Great Seal of the State of Missouri” are written on the circle’s outer ring. 

Jefferson City’s Robert Wells designed the Great Seal of Missouri. It was adopted on January 22, 1822.

Missouri History

A wide array of indigenous people used to live in Missouri from around 9000 BCE till the European people arrived. The Mississippian culture was the most prominent one. The ancient Clovis and Folsom culture complexes and the Cahokia burial mounds are some of the ancient sites. 

Around 1735, the first Europeans (mainly French) settled on the Mississippi River’s western bank, especially at Sainte Genevieve. These early settlers were mostly hunters and lead miners. St. Louis was founded by a French fur trader named Pierre Laclède Liguest in 1765. To avoid conflict with the Europeans, small Southeast Indian communities started pouring into eastern Missouri. 

Missouri attained statehood in 1821. The government forced the entire native population to relocate to the west, especially to Oklahoma, through the torturous Trail of Tears. In the early 20th century, Missouri was predominantly rural, and agriculture was the primary economic resource. However, the 1930’s Great Depression, followed by World War 2, brought a paradigm shift. The manufacturing sector started to replace the dominance of agriculture and mining. 

Some of the major wars and battles that took place in Missouri are 

• St. Louis battle of 1780
• Mormon War 1838
• Blue Mills Landing (1861)
• Kirksville battle, the first battle of independence, Lone Jack battle, 1st Newtonia battle (1862)
• 2nd Springfield, Cape Girardeau (1863)
• Fort Davidson, Glasgow, Westport, 2nd Newtonia (1864), and many more.

Missouri Location

Missouri Location Map shows the exact location of the US state of Missouri on the US map. It also shows the boundaries of states in the US, neighboring countries, and oceans. 

The state of Missouri is situated in the midwestern region of the US. It shares its border with eight other US states. Missouri is bordered by:

• Iowa (to the north)
• Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois (to the east) 
• Arkansas (to the south)
• Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma (to the west)

Its precise location is 36° 0′ N to 40° 37′ N Latitude and 89° 6′ W to 95° 46′ W Longitude. To learn more about the location, check the Missouri Longitude and Latitude Map.

Missouri Geography

This state is spread across a total area of 69,715 sq mi (180,560 sq km), out of which 68,886 sq mi (179,015 sq km) is land area. In terms of area, it is the 21st largest state in the United States. 

The geographical area of Missouri has three predominant features:

• Northern Plains: It is a prairie region or upland plain. This north-western upland plain is in Central Lowland, a part of the Interior Plains.
• Mississippi Alluvial Plain: It is a lowland in Missouri’s extreme southeast bootheel region. It is a part of the Atlantic Plain. 
• The Ozark Plateau is situated between the Central lowland and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The Ozark Plateau is the largest geographical region in Missouri. You’ll find it mainly in the southern parts of the state. Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest elevation point in the state, is located in the Ozark Plateau. Check this Missouri Topographic Map to learn more.

Missouri is a large producer of mined lead and lime. Learn about the location of mountain peaks, rivers, lakes, the state capital, state boundary, ocean, and neighboring states from this Physical Map of Missouri.

Missouri Counties 

Missouri has 114 counties. Texas County is the largest county with a total area of 1,179 sq mi (3,054 sq km). Saint Louis County is the smallest county having a total area of 61.9 sq mi (160 sq km). Check out the location and boundaries of different counties in the Missouri County Map.

Missouri Area Codes

The US State of Missouri has 6 area codes, and they are 314, 417, 573, 636, 660, and 816. The Missouri Area Code Map helps you locate a particular area code and also shows the area code boundary, county and state boundaries, and state capital. 

Missouri Zip Codes

There are 1,154 active zip codes in Missouri. Some of the best zip codes to live in are 63144, 63117, 63141, 63017, 63105, 63122, 63124, 63119, 63131, 63146, and many more. The Missouri Zip Codes Map helps you locate a particular zip code’s location and shows the zip code boundary, state boundary, and state capital. 

Missouri Major Cities

Missouri cities map helps you learn about the state’s major cities and locations. It also showcases the state capital, state boundary, other cities, neighboring states and oceans, and many more. 

Some of Missouri’s largest and major cities are Kansas City, Independence, Columbia, Springfield, St. Louis, and many more. Check out the Missouri Cities Map for more details.

Missouri Airports

The busiest airports in Missouri are St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, Springfield–Branson National Airport, and many more. Check the location of different airports (both public-use and military) in the state on the Missouri Airports Map. This map also shows Missouri’s state and country boundaries, cities, the state capital, neighboring states, and oceans.

Missouri National Park and Trails

Missouri has seven national parks. Around 2,141,327 visitors visit these national parks annually. Major national parks in the state are Gateway Arch National Park, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Oregon and Lewis & Clark National Historic Trails, George Washington Carver National Monument, and others.

In Missouri, you can enjoy around 1,226 recreational trails (hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and other adventurous trails). Some of the most popular ones are River Scene Loop Trail, Lewis & Clark Trail, Clark Trail Loop, Sandstone Canyon Trail, Mina Sauk Falls Trail, Pickle Springs Natural Area, etc. Check out the locations of different national parks, monuments, preserves, and more details in the US National Parks Map.

Missouri Climate 

In Missouri, you’ll find a continental-type climate. Strong seasonality is found in the state. 

• During the winter season, dry-cold air masses blow. These air masses swing periodically from the northern plains and Canada. Rainfall or snowfall takes place if there is reasonably humid air. 
• During the summer season, the air masses remain warm and moist. From the Gulf of Mexico, these air masses blow. They help to make lots of rain. However, extended drought periods also take place in some summers when high pressure over Missouri stagnates. 
• The seasons of fall and spring are transitional in nature. As contrasting masses of air are separated by the fast-moving fonts, you’ll experience abrupt changes in precipitation, as well as, temperature.

Missouri Time Zones

The time zone of most of Missouri is UTC−06:00 (Central). Missouri’s Summer (DST) time zone is UTC−05:00 (CDT).

FAQs on Missouri

FAQ #1: What Is The Time Zone For Missouri?

Ans: The time zone of Missouri is UTC−06:00 (Central). Missouri’s Summer (DST) time zone is UTC−05:00 (CDT).

FAQ #2: Where Is Missouri?

Ans: Missouri is situated in the midwestern region of the USA. 

FAQ #3: What Is The Capital Of Missouri?

Ans: Jefferson City is the capital city of Missouri. 

FAQ #4: What Is Missouri Known For? What To Do In Missouri?

Ans: Missouri is known for The University of Missouri, The Pony Express, tornadoes, Kansas City Royals, Gateway Arch, the Historic Route 66, and many more. Visit the National World War 1 Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, Sight & Sound Theaters, Titanic Museum, The Gateway Arch, and others in Missouri.

FAQ #5: Was Missouri A Slave State?

Ans: Yes, in 1821, Missouri was a slave state. It was done in accordance with 1820’s Missouri Compromise. However, on January 11, 1865, an ordinance was passed to abolish slavery in Missouri. 

FAQ #6: What Planting Zone Is Missouri?

Ans: In accordance with the average extreme winter low temperatures, the state of Missouri is divided into 4 planting zones. They are 7a (towards the south), 6a and 6b (in the central regions), and 5b (in the north). 

FAQ #7: Why Is Missouri The Show-Me State?

Ans: “Show Me State” is the most popular nickname for Missouri. Cape Girardeau County’s Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver was responsible for the popularity of this nickname. Many people believe that this nickname got popularized when Willard Duncan Vandiver used this phrase during his speech at Philadelphia’s 1899 naval banquet. 

FAQ #8: How Many People Live In Missouri?

Ans: Missouri’s population is estimated to be 6.18 million in 2022.

FAQ #9: What Is The State Bird Of Missouri?

Ans: Eastern bluebird is Missouri’s official state bird. 

FAQ #10: Are There Bears In Missouri? How Many Black Bears Are In Missouri?

Ans: Yes, black bears are found in Missouri. There are around 580 to 840 black bears in the state, and their population is growing at an average rate of 9%.