When you think of West Virginia, most people probably think of the Blueridge Mountains, which are sung about in “Country Roads”, an absolute evergreen. In fact, this mountain range hardly touches the state. Nevertheless, West Virginia is best known as the state of mountains, wide landscapes and not least because of its long and important history in the big picture of the USA. The “Mountain State” is an important part of American history and has not only testimonies of this history to offer visitors, but above all a variety of national parks and impressive natural sights.

West Virginia is the area of the Appalachian Mountains and is shaped by them. The northwesternmost of all southern states not only has a long history to offer, but is also known for its beautiful mountain panoramas, which can actually be reached anywhere in the state. You can make a big distinction between the areas that have been developed for tourism over time and now serve as a tourist attraction for visitors to the state and the partly still untouched landscape that can be found far away from the cities of West Virginia.

In general, life here in the state is closely linked to traditions and people are quite proud of the fact that life in this state turns a little slower. Industrialization is not a big problem and at the same time you have a beautiful nature that perhaps best represents the former America that the first colonists found. At the same time, many millions of visitors find their way to the Mountain State every year to enjoy this nature and to come to rest far away from the big cities and let nature work its magic on them.

To this day, West Virginia is 75% covered by forests, which is another reason why so many Americans but also tourists from overseas come here for an adventure in nature. In addition, there are around 50 state parks around a wide variety of natural sights. If you are looking for a little culture outside of nature, you will find interesting variety in Charleston, the capital of West Virginia, with its unique southern charm.

The Most Important Adventures in the Nature of West Virginia

A good example of the lack of tourist infrastructure and thus the principle of adventure are the Allegheny Mountains. Although there are some paved hiking and cycling trails here, all in all, the mountains are still in their natural state today. Apart from a few small log cabins and villages with shops, you are completely on your own here. Mountain climbing, hiking and mountain biking are among the most popular activities in this part of West Virginia. Hikers will certainly get their money’s worth here with the untouched nature – but should prepare sufficiently for such a hike.

The view from the New River Gorge Bridge reveals the beauty of the West Virginia landscape, especially in the Indian summer. Here you can see the play of colours of the leaves that can be seen down in the valley. Of course, you can descend directly into the valley and go on a hike there as well. However, you should keep in mind that these areas are also rather undeveloped and you can sometimes be on the road for days before you meet the next sign of civilization. Good preparation should always be standard when hiking on your own in West Virginia.

If you like it a bit more infrastructure, you should stop by North Bend State Park. Here they cater to visitors from all over the world and offer not only various facilities for leisure, but also accommodation in all price ranges. With guided tours you can explore the landscape of the state park and in the evening you can exchange ideas with other visitors in a nice restaurant or at the bar about the great nature of West Virginia.

Discover the historic towns of West Virginia

In addition to the impressive nature, West Virginia also has a lot to offer culturally and historically. Whether it’s Charleston, Lewisburg, or Fayetteville, all of these cities have their own stories to tell. In Lewisburg, for example, you will find a variety of historic buildings that survived the Civil War and tell a story. By the way, a trip to Harpers Ferry – a real memorial on the Civil War Path that tells about the Civil War and its history – also fits in with this. The ghost stories of Lewisburg are suitable for young and old visitors and combine historical narratives with a little creepiness.

Charleston is above all the right place to discover the culture of West Virginia from a different side. The hospitality of the southern states is still very important here and in the many restaurants you not only get to see something of the hearty cuisine of the states, but can also learn more about the Civil War and the history of the state in one of the many museums. All in all, West Virginia is the place to be if you want to immerse yourself in the original America and learn more about this special stretch of land.

Mississippi is one of the states in the United States. It belongs to the group of southern states and has around three million inhabitants. The capital, which is also the largest city in Mississippi, is called Jackson. The state was named after the famous Mississippi River. It is also known as Magnolia State.

Geography and climatic conditions – flat, warm and rainy

The US state of Mississippi is characterized by a flat texture. Only in the northeastern part are there several elevations, but they are not particularly high. Hikers, climbers and mountaineers prefer other holiday regions in the USA. In the south, Mississippi has a narrow coastal strip. It borders Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

In terms of climate, Mississippi is considered one of the warmest regions in the country. The humid and subtropical climate ensures lush vegetation, but also high humidity and a variety of rainfall.

Population Groups, Religious Community and Living Conditions – Mississippi as the Cradle of the Lower Class

Nearly 3 million people reside in Mississippi. 37.5% of the population have dark skin color or are described as African American. As a result, Mississippi is the US state with the largest proportion of dark-skinned residents. The dominant religious community is the Southern Baptist Convention, which has around 920,000 members. In second place is the United Methodist Church, followed by the Catholic Church.

If you compare the living conditions in Mississippi with other states, it doesn’t look very good. In terms of finances, education and health care, the state is lagging behind in the lower ranks. About one fifth of the population lives below the poverty line.

The history of Mississippi – eventful life in the past and present

The Native Americans of Mississippi were the Caddo, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Natchez Native American peoples. The first European settlers came from France. In the 18th century, there were repeated clashes between them and the Natchez, after which the Indian people no longer really existed and the French left the area. In the course of time, the British and Spanish also took over parts of the area, with the plantation system with slavery introduced by the French. Until the American Revolutionary War, Mississippi was known as the largest producer of cotton in the States.

In December 1817, the territory was admitted to the Union. In the 1830s, the inhabitants benefited from an economic boom. About ten years later, over-indebtedness followed, which is why Mississippi had to file for bankruptcy in 1840. In 1861, the state, like South Carolina before it, broke away from the Union.
In 1966, Mississippi was the last U.S. state to abolish prohibition. A year later, mixed marriage, which had been prohibited until then, was permitted.

It was not until 1995 that the abolition of slavery was initiated. Because the decision took a long time to serve on the Federal Register, the new law did not go into effect until February 7, 2013.

The 21st century has so far been dominated by Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed a large part of the country in August 2005, and the debate on racism that arose after the death of African American George Floyd. As a result, the old state flag of Mississippi was replaced by a new flag.

Sights in Mississippi – Insider tip for tourists in the USA

Mississippi may not be one of the most visited destinations in the United States of America, but it has become a real insider tip over the years and has a lot to offer.

In the capital Jackson is the Mississippi State Capitol, which acts as the seat of government. It is located on the High Street and was built in the 19th century. If you are interested in history, you should definitely book a guided tour. The tour guides provide holidaymakers with a variety of interesting information. Another argument in favor of the tour is that it is offered free of charge. In terms of architecture, there is also a lot to discover about this building. A popular photo motif is the Eagle at the top of the Dome.

In the past, the seat of government of Mississippi was located in the Old State Capitol, which now houses a museum and bears the name Old Capitol Museum.
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is one of the highlights in Gulfport, Mississippi’s second-largest city. People of all ages feel at home here. The well-kept grounds are home to various animals that are at home in the sea. Children in particular enjoy shows with inhabitants of the water. Many visitors take the opportunity to fulfill a dream and swim with dolphins in a pool.

Lovers of long walks on the beach are primarily drawn to Biloxi. There, the water is nice and warm, and the sand slopes gently into the sea. Vacationers with young children love to spend their time on this stretch of coastline, which is located on the Gulf of Mexico . The water is not deep enough for swimmers, but you can take a relaxed walk along the shore.

A real special feature can be found in Vicksburg. In the National Military Park, holidaymakers can expect a journey into the eventful past, which is particularly evident in the battlefields and memorial stones. A guided tour led by an expert guide takes about two hours.

Named after the first settlement in Mississippi, the city of Natchez has a reputation as a true architectural gem. This is due to the fact that numerous buildings of antebellum architecture from the 19th century are in very good condition. A large part of it was built in the Greek Revival style.

A trip to the USA does not necessarily have to lead to New York City, Florida or California. States like Mississippi are real rough diamonds and definitely deserve a chance to get to know each other better