Missouri Info
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Capital City: Jefferson
City
Economy: Agriculture, tourism,
industry and manufacturing.
Language Description: English
Population: 5,595,211
Religion: Christian (Protestant,
Roman Catholic), though other major religions are represented
Time Zone: 6 hours behind
Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the
first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October
Voltage Requirements: 110
volts
Missouri's Flag:
Centered on red, white and blue fields is the Missouri state seal. It is
encircled by a blue band with twenty-four stars representing the number
of states in 1821. The stars in the inner circle have the same meaning.
Two huge grizzly bears support the circular shield in the center which has
three parts: The motto "United We Stand, Divided we Fall" The
right section representing the United States The left section containing
a moon representing a new state and a grizzly bear standing for courage.
History of Missouri: Hernando
De Soto visited the Missouri area in 1541. France's claim to the entire
region was based on sieur de la Salle's travels in 1682. French fur traders
established Ste. Genevieve in 1735 and St. Louis was first settled in 1764.
The U.S. gained Missouri from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in
1803, and the territory was admitted as a state following the Missouri Compromise
of 1820. Throughout the pre–Civil War period and during the war, Missourians
were sharply divided in their opinions about slavery and in their allegiances,
supplying both Union and Confederate forces with troops. However, the state
itself remained in the Union. Historically, Missouri played a leading role
as a gateway to the West, St. Joseph being the eastern starting point of
the Pony Express, while the much-traveled Santa Fe and Oregon trails began
in Independence. Now a popular vacationland, Missouri has 11 major lakes
and numerous fishing streams, springs, and caves. Bagnell Dam, across the
Osage River in the Ozarks, completed in 1931, created one of the largest
man-made lakes in the world, covering 65,000 acres. Missouri's economy relies
on a diversified industrial base. Service industries provide more income
and jobs than any other segment, and include a growing tourism and travel
sector. Wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and agriculture also
play significant roles in the state's economy. Missouri is a leading producer
of transportation equipment (including automobile manufacturing and auto
parts), beer and beverages, and defense and aerospace technology. Food processing
is the state's fastest-growing industry, well suited to the state's blend
of agricultural, natural, energy, and transportation resources. Missouri
mines produce 90% of the nation's principal (non-recycled) lead supply.
Missouri's largest corporate employers include McDonnell-Douglas/Boeing,
Wal-Mart, Washington University, Schnuck Markets, Barnes Hospital, Chrysler
Corporation, Ford Motor Company, May Department Stores, Trans World Airlines,
and Southwestern Bell. The state's top agricultural products include grain,
sorghum, hay, corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley, tobacco, and rice. A
well-established grape and wine program brings together aspects of agriculture,
manufacturing, and tourism to support a vibrant vintner industry. Tourism
draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to a number of Missouri points of
interest: the country-music shows of Branson; Bass Pro Shops national headquarters
(Springfield); the Gateway Arch at the Jefferson National Expansion (St.
Loius); Mark Twain's boyhood home and cave (Hannibal); the Harry S Truman
home and library (Independence); the scenic beauty of the Ozark National
Scenic Riverways; and the Pony Express and Jesse James museums (St. Joseph).
The state's different lakes regions also attract fishermen and sun-seekers
from throughout the Midwest.
Other Missouri Links:
Missouri
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Missouri Division of Tourism
Missouri Municipal League
Missouri State Chamber
Missouri State
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