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
