Mississippi is named for the Mississippi River which forms the state’s western border.
The river got its name from the Ojibwe word for “Great River,” and it is the largest
(although not the longest) river in the United States.
The “Mighty Mississippi” is more than 2300 miles long (~3700 kilometers), and stretches
over 11 miles (about 17 km) at its widest point.
Nicknamed “Old Man River,” the Mississippi River was immortalized by steamboat pilot
Mark Twain in his stories, which included “Life on the Mississippi” and “Huckleberry
Finn.”
You can still see paddlewheel steamers on the Mississippi, but these days, they’re
for tourists.
The Mississippi Delta area was cleared and used for farming - especially cotton. Mississippi
was the largest producer of cotton in the United States, and sprawling plantations developed
along the river where there was the most fertile ground. Before the Civil War, these plantations
were worked by slave labour, a tragic practice that robbed generations of their human rights.
The Mississippi planters built ostentatious mansions to showcase their wealth. Today,
some of these plantations are preserved as museums. The manors and empty slave quarters
are now a reminder of that bygone era.
The rest of the state remains heavily forested. We call Mississippi the “Magnolia State”
for its state flower - the snowy white blossoms on the majestic magnolia trees found throughout
the state.
You’ll also see varieties of pine, spruce, and dogwood - and the lowlands are home to
a great variety of native wildlife.
This is where President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt famously refused to shoot a captured bear.
The event was commemorated with the creation of the “Teddy Bear.”
Running its way through the Mississippi wilderness is the Natchez Trace Parkway, which began
as an Indian trail more than 8000 years ago. The Native Americans followed the pathway,
or “trace,” of the migrating bison, and developed a footpath that has endured to this
day. Of course, it’s now paved and you can drive
50 mph on it. You can stop off at a number of historical sites along the Natchez Trace,
including Emerald Mound, the second largest Native American ceremonial mound in the US.
Visit the Natchez Trace Visitor center in Tupelo, Mississippi - and while you’re in
Tupelo, say hello to the birthplace of Elvis Presley. {Elvis impression}