About Missouri

Missouri's largest cities, Saint Louis and Kansas City sit on the far eastern and western ends of the state, with plenty to explore in between. In the southern reaches of the state lie the beautiful Ozarks, where nationally protected forest lands and wide rivers stretch the distances between cities.

Missouri's key cities are:

• Saint Louis
• Kansas City
• Jefferson City
• Columbia
• Springfield

Pioneer History

Missouri was both the beginning point and end point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition out to the Pacific Ocean, and Missouri's role in supporting westward travel didn't stop there. It was one of the early states that pioneers would pass through along the Oregon Trail, and monuments like Gateway Arch in Saint Louis honor these daring individuals and families.

The Ozarks and Outdoor Recreation

Running through the southern half of Missouri, the Ozark Mountains hold a wonderful variety of recreational activities and scenic destinations. Sitting on the plains just north of the mountain range, Springfield is nicknamed the Queen City of the Ozarks. Not far from the city are the various units of the Mark Twain National Forest and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. These are some of the best places to enjoy Missouri's natural beauty, whether driving, hiking or boating.

Cities and Economy

Both Kansas City and Saint Louis are major metropolitan areas, and many of Missouri's high-tech companies are located in these cities and their suburbs. Some of Missouri's big industries found in these cities are aerospace, food processing and transportation equipment. Farther to the north and outside of the larger towns, the agricultural industry thrives, with major products including beef, pork and soybeans.

Music

Jazz is the musical style most closely associated with Missouri, and particularly with Kansas City. The 18th & Vine District features not only the American Jazz Museum but also some excellent jazz clubs. Saint Louis also holds a strong jazz tradition, with influential blues, bluegrass and country bases as well. Branson's tourism industry is focused around country music and Americana theater, appealing strongly to Midwesterners.

Fun Facts About Missouri

• The town of Creve Coeur was named after a tragic legend. In the story, an Indian princess became infatuated with a French trapper, but he did not reciprocate. Eventually, she threw herself off a cliff and died, creating a lake in the shape of a broken heart.
• New Madrid, Missouri was the epicenter of the most powerful earthquake recorded in the United States.
• The origins of Missouri's nickname as the "Show Me State" are unclear, but a popular story traces it to a 1899 statement by Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver, "I'm from Missouri and you've got to show me."
• Ice cream cones and iced tea were both invented during the 1904 World's Fair in Saint Louis.
• The current Missouri State Capitol Building is actually the state's sixth capitol. The previous two in Jefferson City burned down.