Introduction

The name "Mississippi" comes from an Indian word meaning "great waters" or "father of waters". The state flower is the fragrant magnolia blossom, and the capital is Jackson. The Mississippi River has played a large part in the development of Vicksburg.

Today, agriculture continues as a major segment of the state's economy. For almost four decades soyabeans occupied the most acreage, while cotton remained the largest cash crop. The state's farmlands also yield important harvests of corn, peanuts, pecans, rice, sugar cane and sweet potatoes as well as poultry, eggs, meat animals, dairy products, feed crops and horticultural crops. Mississippi remains the world's leading producer of pond-raised catfish.

The state abounds in historical landmarks and is the home of the Vicksburg National Military Park. Other National Park Service areas are Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site, Tupelo National Battlefield and part of Natchez Trace National Parkway. Pre Civil War mansions are the special pride of Natchez, Oxford, Columbus, Vicksburg, and Jackson.

City List