Mississippi is an American southern state east of the
Mississippi River. It borders Tennessee to the north and
Alabama
to the east. To the south, the state has shorelines on the Gulf
of Mexico and, on the western side of the Mississippi River, are
Arkansas and Louisiana. It is nicknamed The Magnolia State.
Mississippi has historically been a state dominated by farms
and small towns, and dependent on agriculture and ranching.
Currently, however, it has a relatively diversified economy,
with a growing manufacturing industry and tourism. It is
considered the poorest state in the country, with relatively
high unemployment and poverty rates, and the lowest per capita
income in the country.
The name Mississippi comes from a
word in the Ojibwa language, meaning "great waters" or "father
of waters." Some nicknames for Mississippi are the Magnolia
State and the Hospitality State.
Mississippi was
initially colonized by the Spanish, but annexed by the United
Kingdom under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. With the
independence of the Thirteen Colonies, the Mississippi region
became part of the newly created United States of America. The
Territory of Mississippi was created in 1798, and, as
present-day Mississippi, was elevated to statehood on December
10, 1817. Mississippi prospered economically, and was for
decades one of the richest states in the country. Mississippi
seceded from the United States in 1861, joining the Confederate
States of America, being one of the states most affected by the
American Civil War. The civil war, even so, did not end the
latifundist economy or the subjection of both the
Afro-descendant population and the vast majority of landless
whites. This, despite a sustained program of works and subsidies
by the nation, prevented the adequate development of
socioeconomic conditions until after 1960 and its socioeconomic
effects can still be seen in the state to this day.
Mississippi is renowned for its diverse landscapes and cultural
heritage, divided into five distinct tourism regions: the Capital-River
area, the Delta, the Pines, the Gulf Coast, and the Hills. Each offers
unique attractions, from historical sites and natural beauty to vibrant
entertainment and artistic legacies. Below is an expanded overview of
these regions, highlighting their key characteristics and must-visit
spots.
Capital-River Region: Situated in central Mississippi
along the southern stretches of the Mississippi River, this area centers
around Jackson, the state's bustling capital known for its role in
government, business, and culture. It's a hub for history enthusiasts,
featuring world-class museums like the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum,
the Mississippi Museum of Art, and the Old Capitol Museum, many of which
are within easy walking distance downtown. Jackson also hosts the
prestigious USA International Ballet Competition every four years.
Further south, towns like Vicksburg boast the Vicksburg National
Military Park, a key Civil War site, while Natchez and Port Gibson are
famed for their preserved antebellum mansions, complete with antique
furnishings, heirloom collections, and stunning gardens that evoke the
Old South's grandeur.
Mississippi Delta Region: Nestled in the
northwest near the Tennessee border, this flat, fertile floodplain is
celebrated as the "Birthplace of the Blues," where African American
musical traditions took root amid cotton fields and river towns.
Entertainment thrives in places like Tunica and Robinsonville, with
glittering casinos, live shows, and non-stop nightlife. Music lovers
flock to the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland (the only one
outside L.A.), the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, and the Delta Blues
Museum in Clarksdale. The southern part emphasizes agriculture, with
Greenwood as a key farming center, and quirky spots like Leland's
exhibit honoring Jim Henson and his Muppets, inspired by the local
"Birthplace of the Frog."
Mississippi Pines Region: Covering
east-central Mississippi, this wooded area blends Southern charm with
cultural and recreational offerings. Columbus, the birthplace of
playwright Tennessee Williams, features a Victorian home-turned-welcome
center with tours of his early life. Meridian pays tribute to country
music icon Jimmie Rodgers through exhibits at the Mississippi Arts and
Entertainment Experience. The region is home to the Mississippi Band of
Choctaw Indians' Pearl River Resort, which includes casinos, luxury
hotels, a spa, fine dining, a water park, and championship golf courses.
Starkville, anchored by Mississippi State University, offers a vibrant
college-town vibe with historic downtown shops and the eclectic Cotton
District neighborhood.
Gulf Coast Region: Stretching along the
southern shoreline, this coastal paradise—often called the "Playground
of the South"—spans 62 miles of sandy beaches ideal for sunbathing,
kayaking, paddleboarding, and deep-sea fishing, all complemented by
fresh Gulf seafood at waterfront eateries. Inland, Hattiesburg (home to
the University of Southern Mississippi) and Laurel (famous from HGTV's
"Home Town") add urban flair with arts scenes and historic districts.
The area buzzes with nightlife at casinos, restaurants, and clubs,
blending centuries of history with modern hospitality for a lively,
relaxing escape.
Mississippi Hills Region: In the northeast
Appalachian foothills, this hilly terrain is dotted with lush forests,
sparkling lakes, and winding streams, creating a scenic backdrop for
outdoor adventures and small-town exploration. Oxford, immortalized in
William Faulkner's novels, invites visitors to tour his home Rowan Oak,
stroll the University of Mississippi campus, and delve into Southern
culture at dedicated centers. Tupelo marks Elvis Presley's humble
beginnings with his preserved childhood home, a museum, and a chapel.
The region also features historic homes, Civil War battlefields, and
quaint communities that highlight Mississippi's literary and musical
roots.
Mississippi offers a diverse array of captivating cities, each
blending rich history, cultural vibrancy, and natural beauty. Below is
an expanded guide to nine standout destinations, highlighting their key
features and attractions for travelers seeking authentic Southern
experiences.
Jackson: As the dynamic state capital and largest
city in Mississippi, Jackson serves as a hub for politics, education,
and cultural heritage. Home to institutions like the Mississippi Civil
Rights Museum, which chronicles pivotal moments in the fight for
equality, and the Mississippi Museum of Art, it also boasts a thriving
music scene rooted in blues and gospel traditions. The city's slogan,
"The City with Soul," reflects its influential role in shaping American
culture through landmarks like the Old Capitol Museum and annual events
such as the Dixie National Rodeo.
Biloxi: This coastal gem along
the Gulf of Mexico is renowned for its pristine beaches, vibrant casino
resorts, and maritime heritage. Visitors can explore the historic Biloxi
Lighthouse, one of the oldest cast-iron structures in the South, or
delve into local culture at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum,
which showcases wooden boats and artifacts from the region's fishing
history. As part of the "Poor Man's Riviera," Biloxi offers water
activities like paddleboarding and jet skiing, plus events such as Mardi
Gras celebrations tied to its French colonial roots.
Clarksdale:
Widely regarded as the birthplace of the blues, this Delta town immerses
visitors in musical history through sites like the Delta Blues Museum,
which honors legends such as Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. The
iconic Crossroads at Highways 61 and 49 marks the legendary spot where
Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul for musical talent. Clarksdale
also features live music venues like Ground Zero Blues Club, co-owned by
Morgan Freeman, and festivals that celebrate its role in shaping rock
'n' roll.
Gulfport: As a major port city on the Gulf Coast,
Gulfport entices with its sandy beaches, harbor activities, and
family-friendly spots like the Mississippi Aquarium, home to marine life
exhibits and interactive dolphin encounters. The Gulf Islands Water Park
provides thrilling slides and pools, while Jones Park offers waterfront
trails, a splash pad, and live performances. Known for its seafood
festivals and proximity to barrier islands, it's an ideal base for
boating and exploring the region's natural seashore.
Hattiesburg:
Nicknamed the "Hub City" for its central location and transportation
links, Hattiesburg is a lively university town anchored by the
University of Southern Mississippi. It features the award-winning
Hattiesburg Zoo with over 75 animal species, the Mississippi Armed
Forces Museum honoring military history, and outdoor gems like the
Longleaf Trace trail for biking and hiking. The city's arts scene shines
through galleries and trails, including the unique Hattiesburg Pocket
Museum with miniature exhibits in an alleyway.
Natchez: Boasting
over 600 preserved antebellum homes, Natchez holds the distinction of
being Mississippi's first capital and one of the oldest settlements on
the Mississippi River, founded in 1716. Highlights include touring grand
estates like Longwood, with its unfinished octagonal design, and
strolling the Natchez Trace Parkway for scenic views. The city's rich
multicultural history encompasses Native American sites, French colonial
influences, and annual festivals celebrating its architectural and
riverfront legacy.
Oxford: This charming college town revolves
around the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), known for its beautiful
campus and spirited football games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Literary
enthusiasts flock to Rowan Oak, the preserved home of Nobel
Prize-winning author William Faulkner, while the historic downtown
Square offers independent bookstores like Square Books and live music
venues. Oxford's cultural vibrancy includes art galleries, festivals,
and trails that blend academia with Southern hospitality.
Tupelo:
Famous as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo draws fans to the
humble two-room house where the King was born, now part of a museum
complex with exhibits on his early life. The city also serves as a
gateway to the Natchez Trace Parkway, offering scenic drives and outdoor
recreation. Additional draws include the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo,
home to exotic animals, and a thriving music scene with murals and
festivals honoring its rock 'n' roll roots.
Vicksburg: Perched on
bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, Vicksburg is synonymous with
its pivotal Civil War history, best explored at the Vicksburg National
Military Park, featuring restored battlefields, the USS Cairo gunboat,
and over 1,400 monuments. The city's museums, including the Old Court
House with Civil War artifacts and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum
marking the drink's first bottling, add depth. Riverfront murals and
historic homes like McRaven provide a glimpse into its strategic past
and cultural evolution.
Natchez Trace is an ancient road system that was created by the Native Americans and later was used by the European settlers.
the regions close to the river banks are very vulnerable to flooding.
The most densely populated regions near the river are protected by dams.
The Mississippi River watershed covers the entire western and
north-central part of the state. The rivers located in the Eastern
Mississippi region flow directly into the Gulf of Mexico.
Forests
cover about 55% of the state. Mississippi is characterized by its low
altitude. No part of the state is located above 250 meters above sea
level. The state's terrain is generally relatively flat, without major
geographical features.
Mississippi can be divided into three
distinct geographic regions:
The Mississippi Floodplains cover a
narrow strip of land located along the Mississippi River. This region is
extremely flat, with very few geographical features. It is extremely
vulnerable to overflows from the Mississippi River. These floods,
despite being able to cause great damage to urban communities, deposit
large amounts of sediment in this region, which makes the soil of this
region extremely fertile and ideal for the practice of agriculture.
The Western Gulf Coast Plains occupy most of the rest of Mississippi,
and is the largest of the three geographic regions. This region is
characterized by its relatively uneven terrain, covered with flattened
elevations and small low-lying hills, and relatively fertile soil. The
largest of these hills, Woodall Mountain, is the highest point in the
state at 246 meters above sea level. Much of the Western Plains is
covered by forest.
The Black Belt is a narrow strip of land located
in the eastern region of Mississippi. It is a prairie region, flat and
with poor soil, compared to the rest of the state.
Mississippi has a subtropical climate, with long, hot summers and
short winters. During winter, the temperature decreases as you travel
north. Mississippi's average winter temperature is 8°C. The average
temperature in southern Mississippi is 10°C, and in the north it is 5°C.
In general, the average minimum for Mississippi in the winter is 3 °C,
and the average maximum is 15 °C. Temperatures rarely fall below -10°C.
The lowest temperature recorded in Mississippi was -28°C in Corinth on
January 30, 1966.
In the summer, the average temperature
increases as you travel westward, although the temperature variation is
minimal between one region of the state and another. Mississippi's
average temperature during the summer is 27°C. The average temperature
in the western region of the state is 28 °C, and in the east, 26 °C. In
general, Mississippi's average summer low is 21°C and average high is
34°C. The highest temperature recorded in Mississippi was 46°C, in Holly
Springs, on July 29, 1930.
Mississippi's average annual
precipitation rate decreases as you travel north, ranging from 130
centimeters in the northwest of the state to more than 165 centimeters
annually in the south. Snow is a rare phenomenon in Mississippi,
occurring mainly in the north of the state. However, frost and hail are
relatively common in the state. These weather events cause millions of
dollars in losses each year in Mississippi's agricultural sector.
Hurricanes are also common in the state.
By plane
Jackson Evers International Airport (IATA: JAN) . largest
airport in the state.
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (IATA:
GPT) . Airport of the cities of Biloxi and Gulfport.
In the
street
I10: New Orleans LA - Slidell LA - Biloxi MS - Mobile AL
I20: Shreveport LA - Bossier City LA - Jackson MS - Meridian MS -
Tuscaloosa AL
I55: Hammond LA - Jackson MS - Memphis TN
I59:
Slidell LA - Meridian MS - Tuscaloosa AL
Three different tribes of Native Americans lived in the region that
is present-day Mississippi, before the arrival of the first European
explorers to the region. These tribes were the Chickasaw (called
Chicazas by the Spanish), who lived in the central region of present-day
Mississippi, the Choctaw, who lived in the north and east, and the
Natchez, who lived in the southwest. The Native American population in
Mississippi, at the time the first European explorers arrived in the
region, is estimated at 25,000 to 30,000.
The first European
explorers to reach the region considered part of Florida were members of
the Spanish expedition commanded by Hernando de Soto in 1541. De Soto
and his expedition explored a region devoid of natural resources such as
gold, spices, etc., for which they did not found any settlement. The
region would remain unexplored by Europeans until 1692, when Frenchman
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville founded the first permanent settlement in
present-day Mississippi, where Ocean Springs is currently located.
Meanwhile, the Frenchman René Robert Cavelier had already claimed the
region for the French crown, in 1682, when he claimed the entire region
of the Mississippi River watershed.
In 1716, Frenchman
Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne founded the second permanent European settlement
in the region, Fort Rosalie, near the present-day city of Natchez. The
French began the trade of animal skins with the natives of the region,
and the cultivation of tobacco and rice. French slavers were the first
to introduce slavery to Mississippi around 1722.
The Scottish
economist John Law began a project to increase the population of the
region at the beginning of the 17th century. However, this project
failed, and the people who invested money in it lost everything
invested. But this project, whose suspension of payments was reported in
the United Kingdom, attracted various English and Scots to Mississippi.
These settlers founded several settlements under alternate Spanish and
French jurisdiction, such as Old Biloxi, New Biloxi (present-day Biloxi)
and Fort Louis de la Mobile (present-day Mobile). Despite this, the
settlement of the Mississippi region was relatively small, and few
people were interested in settling in the region, due to frequent
attacks by the natives, and the disagreements between the French and the
United Kingdom, which claimed the region.
In 1730, the Natchez
began an armed rebellion against the French. The reaction was harsh. The
French attacked quickly, massacring the vast majority of the tribesmen,
including women and children. Six years after the genocide, in 1736, the
Chickasaw, aided by the English, defeated the French militias in the
northeast of present-day Mississippi, taking control of the Mississippi
River from the French. In 1763, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris,
the French ceded the region to England. The southern region became part
of the English territory of West Florida, while the rest of present-day
Mississippi became part of Georgia.
In 1775, the American War of
Independence began. The inhabitants of the West Florida region, most of
British descent, remained largely loyal to the British crown, while
traders (mainly British and French) and natives of the north-central
region of present-day Mississippi supported the rebels Spain, which
supported the rebels during the armed revolution, took the region of
West Florida and East Florida from the English – with an army under the
command of Bernardo de Gálvez – without major difficulties, in 1781. Two
years later, in 1783, The war for independence ended, and under the
terms of the Treaty of Paris, the British had to cede the region of West
Florida to Spain, and the rest of present-day Mississippi—the region
above the 32nd parallel—to the Americans. They immediately began to
claim the 31st parallel as their border, and the Spanish accepted the
Americans' claim in 1795.
In 1798, the United States created the
Mississippi Territory, which began to develop rapidly from 1803, that
is, after the Louisiana Purchase was carried out, which gave the United
States complete control over the Mississippi River, and stimulated the
settlement of the region. In 1803, the U.S. government ceded lands north
of the Mississippi Territory to join the Territory. Mississippi would
grow in area again in 1812, when a portion of West Florida was annexed
by the United States. At the time, the Territory of Mississippi was made
up of the entire region that currently makes up Mississippi, as well as
the neighboring state of Alabama.
In 1817, the US Congress made
the eastern region of the then Territory of Mississippi a new territory,
the Territory of Alabama. On December 10 of the same year, Mississippi
was elevated to statehood, becoming the 20th American state.
Initially, the capital of Mississippi was Columbia, changing a few
years later to Natchez and Washington, until it was definitively changed
to Jackson, in 1822. The Americans, during the 1810s until the 1830s,
gradually forced the Indians to settle in Mississippi to leave the
state. There were no armed conflicts over the possession of the lands in
the region, and the natives left the state peacefully, although
forcibly. The vast majority of Native Americans moved to what was then
called Indian Territory—now the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The departure of
the natives left vast amounts of land free for cultivation, which
attracted large numbers of people to Mississippi.
In the late
1830s, Mississippi was a major American agrarian center. The state owned
large estates, which mainly grew cotton for export. These large estates
depended on slave labor, as relatively cheap labor. Until the early
1860s, Mississippi was considered one of the richest states in the
country.
Most of the population of Mississippi supported the use
of slave labor, on which the state's economy depended, as in other
states of the American South. Until the 1830s, most of Mississippi's
population was against possible separation from the rest of the country.
However, in less than three decades, the population of Mississippi
became increasingly accepting of the state's secession from the rest of
the United States, because of the growing abolitionist force in the
United States, which threatened the structure of the slave economy. of
Mississippi. In January 1861, members of the Mississippi Legislature met
in a constitutional convention, and decided to secede from the United
States, becoming the second American state to do so, after South
Carolina. In February, Mississippi joined with ten other states that
seceded from the United States, becoming part of the Confederate States
of America. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen as the first
President of the Confederacy. The same year, the American Civil War
would begin.
Approximately 80,000 Mississippi men served in the
Confederate Army during the Civil War. Mississippi was the scene of
several important battles and conflicts between Confederate and Union
troops - the United States proper. The largest of these battles was the
Battle of Vicksburg, which occurred on July 4, 1863, when the
Confederate fort at Vicksburg was captured by Union troops commanded by
General Ulysses S. Grant. The battles and conflicts carried out in
Mississippi caused great destruction in the cities and countryside of
the state. Mississippi's economy was completely ruined after the end of
the war in 1865, due to the blockade of Confederate ports and inflation,
and the mass flight of slaves. Mississippi, until then one of the
richest states in the United States, has since been among the poorest
states in the country.
Mississippi, after the end of the Civil
War, became administered by the military. After the adoption of a new
state Constitution in 1870, Mississippi was readmitted as a US state in
1870. Not only was slavery abolished throughout the United States, but
the US government imposed a state government composed of blacks and
whites. , which was seen as a humiliation by the state's white
population. In 1876, the military government imposed by the American
government ruling Mississippi was withdrawn, and the residents of the
state regained control of the Mississippi government. Gradually, blacks
lost many of the rights they had gained after the end of the Civil War.
Meanwhile, Mississippi's economy would take decades to recover from
the destruction caused by the Civil War, returning to prewar levels only
in the 1890s, growing more vigorously beginning in the early 1900s, when
the The state's economy began to diversify, with the construction of
factories and railway lines. Forestry also became an important source of
income for Mississippi. The peak of the state's economic growth during
the beginning of the 20th century occurred during the First World War,
thanks to the increase in international demand for industrialized
products.
During the 1900s, Mississippi carried out various
socio-educational reforms. In 1908, the state instituted an agrarian
system of secondary schools, to try to reduce the deficiencies in the
educational system in the rural areas of the state. In 1912, Mississippi
moved to ban the use of child labor. In 1916, an adult education program
was begun, which sought to reduce the high illiteracy rates among the
state's adult population. In 1924, Mississippi established its current
department of education.
In 1927, a large flood of the
Mississippi River caused nearly one hundred thousand people who lived
along the river to flee the area. Although no one died, the floods
caused nearly $204 million in damages, one of the most expensive natural
disasters in American history.
During the early 1930s,
Mississippi was hit hard by the Great Depression, which caused
bankruptcy in many commercial and industrial establishments,
unemployment, and indebtedness among farmers. The state reacted by
creating a program called Balancing Agriculture With Industry, to
stimulate greater diversification of the state's economy, and reduce its
dependence on agriculture, which was still clearly the state's largest
source of income. . The program, aided by the discovery of oil reserves
in 1939 and 1940, caused the economy to largely recover around 1940,
helping to spur industrialization of the state. The following year, in
1941, the United States would enter World War II, and Mississippi began
to industrialize rapidly. This growth continued after the end of the war
in 1945.
Until 1954, Mississippi's educational institutions were segregated.
This year, the United States Supreme Court ordered the end of
segregation in all educational institutions in all states where
segregation between whites and African Americans existed. Much of
Mississippi's white population was against the end of segregation. The
process of racial integration in the state's schools was very slow and
gradual, and one of the most violent in the country. In 1962, two people
died in a popular uprising, when James Meredith became the first black
to be admitted to the University of Mississippi. In 1964, three members
of the black Civil Rights Movement were murdered. It was this year when
the state's first public schools were integrated, ten years after the
Supreme Court order. In 1969, a good part of the state's schools were
still segregated, when the Supreme Court, considering this process as
slow and inefficient in Mississippi, ordered the immediate integration
of the state's schools, which were fully integrated in December of the
same year. .
Despite the industrialization that occurred during
and after World War II, Mississippi's industry was still very weak, and
the state was still very dependent on agriculture and ranching. Many
farmers, for their part, became unemployed due to the increasing
modernization of the state's farms, which decreased the demand for labor
in the agricultural sector. Mississippi created various measures during
the 1950s and 1960s to try to stimulate greater industrialization. In
1954, workers were no longer required to join unions when they were
hired. In 1960, Mississippi drastically lowered taxes on industrial
establishments located in the state. At the end of the 1960s, more
people worked in the industrial sector than in the agricultural sector.
The process of industrialization and diversification of the economy
continues in Mississippi to this day.
On August 17, 1969,
Hurricane Camille hit the Mississippi coast, killing 248 people and
causing $1.5 billion in damages to the region. On August 29, 2005,
Hurricane Katrina caused even greater destruction along the 71
kilometers of Mississippi coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.
In
recent years, in addition to industrialization, Mississippi has been
noted for its political conservatism and few racial conflicts. In 1990,
the state allowed the construction of river casinos, which could be
operated only on boats on rivers. The legalization of these casinos
increased the annual revenue of the Mississippi government. However,
this revenue was drastically reduced with Hurricane Katrina, which
destroyed many of these river casinos. Cities that relied on casinos as
a primary source of revenue include Gulfport and Biloxi, on the state's
Gulf of Mexico coast, and Tunica, Greenville, Vicksburg and Natchez on
the Mississippi River. Before Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi had the
second largest casino industry in the country, behind only Nevada, and
ahead of New Jersey, being surpassed by the latter after the hurricane.
On October 17, 2005, Governor Harley Barbour signed a law allowing
the reconstruction of casinos in Hancock and Harrison counties, on land,
as long as they are not located more than a half mile from the
shoreline—and in Harrison County —, these casinos can be built along
Highway 90, a federal highway.
The current Mississippi Constitution was adopted in 1890. Older
constitutions were adopted in 1817, 1832, and 1869. Amendments to the
Constitution are proposed by the Legislature, and to be approved, they
need the approval of at least 67% of the Senate and the State House of
Representatives, and later by 51% or more of Mississippi's voting
population, in a referendum. The people of the state can also propose
amendments to the Constitution through a petition. Amendments can also
be made through a constitutional convention, which needs to receive at
least the approval of 67% of the votes of both chambers of the
Legislative Branch and 51% of the state's voters, in a referendum.
The chief executive officer of Mississippi is the governor. This,
together with the Lieutenant Governor, is elected by the voters of the
state for terms of up to four years in duration. Both are elected on an
electoral list, and have no term limit, but they cannot serve two in a
row. Most of the officers of the different departments of the
Mississippi Executive are appointed by the governor, with the consent of
the Legislature, with the exception of the treasurer, the secretary of
State and the attorney general, who are elected by the people of the
state for terms of up to four years long.
The Legislative Branch
of Mississippi is made up of the Senate and the House of
Representatives. The Senate has a total of 52 members, while the House
of Representatives has a total of 122 members. Mississippi is divided
into 52 senatorial districts and 122 representative districts. The
voters of each district elect a senator/representative, who will
represent each district in the Senate/House of Representatives. The term
of office of senators is four years, and that of members of the House of
Representatives is two years. There is no limit for a person to serve as
a senator or representative.
The highest court in the Mississippi
Judiciary is the Mississippi Supreme Court, composed of nine judges,
three from each of the state's three judicial districts. The judge with
the longest experience becomes Chief Justice. All of these judges are
elected for terms of up to eight years. The second largest court in
Mississippi is the Court of Appeals, composed of ten judges, two from
each of the state's five congressional districts. The judges of this
court are elected by the population of the congressional districts for
terms of up to four years.
Mississippi is divided into 82
counties. Each county in the state is divided into five different
districts. Each county is administered by a five-member board of
supervisors, each elected by the population of each of the county's five
districts. Most Mississippi cities are governed by a mayor and a city
council. All city and county public administrations in the state are
subject to the control of the government of Mississippi.
About
half of Mississippi's government budget revenue is generated by state
taxes, and the remainder comes from federally provided budgets and
loans. In 2002, the state government spent $12.05 billion, generating
$11.05 billion. Mississippi's government debt is $4.16 billion. The debt
per capita is $1,451, the value of state taxes per capita is $1,649, and
the value of government expenditures per capita is $4,445.
Mississippi, historically, has been dominated politically by the
Democratic Party, mainly from the end of the American Civil War until
the 1960s, mainly because of the great resentment of the population
against the Republicans, who were responsible for the abolition of the
slave labor in the country. Most of the elected politicians in the
state's city and county administrations, as well as members of the
Mississippi government and state representatives in the United States
Congress, have been Democrats, until today. However, the Republican
Party has gradually strengthened since the 1930s. Since 1948, for
example, the majority of Mississippi's four Electoral College votes in
US presidential elections have been Republican. Since 1991, when Kirk
Fordice became the state's first Republican governor, Republicans have
dominated Mississippi politically.
Mississippi is one of the most
conservative states in the United States, where religion is often an
important factor in the political opinion of the state's residents. The
state has strict laws against gambling and alcoholic beverages. In 2004,
86% of the state's voters amended the state Constitution to outlaw any
legal rights for gay couples, the highest level of support of any such
initiative received in the United States.
Mississippi's gross domestic product in 2003 was $72 billion. The
state's per capita income, meanwhile, was $23,466, the lowest in the
country. The state's unemployment rate is 6.2%. The fact that
Mississippi is considered the poorest state in the country has its
origins in the American Civil War. Before the Civil War, Mississippi was
the fifth richest state in the country. The war cost the state about 30
thousand men. Farmers who survived the war went virtually into
receivership, because of the emancipation of slaves and the destruction
caused by the war. Unlike the rest of the states in the country,
Mississippi workers cannot be forced to join a union when they are
employees.
The primary sector contributes 3% of Mississippi's
GDP. Agriculture and livestock account for a total of 2.9% of the
State's GDP, employing nearly 72 thousand people. Mississippi has about
42,000 farms, covering about 40% of the state. The main products
produced by Mississippi's agricultural industry are bovine meat and
milk, cotton, and soybeans. Fishing and forestry together contribute
0.1% of the GDP, employing nearly three thousand people.
The
secondary sector accounts for 27% of Mississippi's GDP. The total value
of products manufactured in the state is 17 billion dollars. The main
industrialized products manufactured in the state are industrialized
foods, transportation equipment, mobile phones, clothing and textiles.
The manufacturing industry accounts for 22% of the state's GDP,
employing approximately 244 thousand people. The construction industry
accounts for 4% of the State's GDP, and employs approximately 83
thousand people. Mining, with 1% of Mississippi's GDP, employs about 9.5
thousand people. The main natural resources extracted in the state are
oil and natural gas.
The tertiary sector accounts for 70% of
Mississippi's GDP. Community and personal services are responsible for
17% of the state's GDP, and employ about 361 thousand people. Wholesale
and retail trade accounts for 17% of the state's GDP, and employs
approximately 288 thousand people. Government services contribute 15% of
Mississippi's GDP, employing approximately 259,000 people. Financial
services and the real estate sector are about 11% of GDP, employing
approximately 70 thousand people. Transportation, telecommunications and
public utilities employ around 64 thousand people, and account for 10%
of the GDP. About 35% of the electricity generated in Mississippi is
produced by coal-fired power plants, 30% by nuclear power plants, and
most of the rest is generated by oil- or natural gas-fired power plants.
According to the 2000 national census from the United States Census
Bureau, Mississippi's population was 2,884,658, a growth of 12.1 percent
from the state's 1990 population of 2,573,216. population. A 2005
estimate put Mississippi's population at 2,925,426, a growth of 13.5%
relative to the state's population in 1990, 2.7% relative to the state's
population in 2000, and 0.7% in relation to the estimated population in
2004.
Mississippi's natural population growth between 2000 and
2005 was 80,733 — 228,849 births minus 148,116 deaths — population
growth caused by immigration was 10,653, while interstate migration
resulted in a loss of 10 578 inhabitants. Between 2000 and 2005,
Mississippi's population grew by 40,768, and between 2004 and 2005, by
20,320.
The six largest groups in Mississippi by ancestry are: African
Americans (making up 36.2% of the state's population), Americans
(14.2%), Irish (6.9%), English (6.1%) German (6.1%) and Italians
(1.42%). Mississippi also has a sizable French community.
Until
the 1940s, the majority of Mississippi's population was of African
descent, but from then until the 1980s, the percentage of African
Americans in the state's population gradually fell, due to the great
migration of African Americans to the states of the North. Since the
1980s, however, the percentage of African Americans in Mississippi's
population has gradually increased, thanks to higher birth rates among
the black population. Currently, Mississippi has the largest population
of African Americans in the country (percentage).
More than 98%
of Mississippi's white population was born in the United States,
primarily of Northern European ancestry. Most Mississippians of Chinese
descent are descendants of rural workers brought from California during
the 1870s. The Chinese did not adapt well to the Mississippi farming
system, so most became small traders.
Percentage of Mississippi population by religious affiliation:
Protestantism: 79% - 2,392,038
No religion: 15% - 454,184
Catholicism: 4% - 121 115
Other religions: 2% - 60,557
In
Mississippi the predominant religion is Protestant, particularly
Baptists, followed by Methodists. Mississippi's small Catholic
population is concentrated primarily in urban communities and on the
state's coastline, while its small Jewish population is concentrated
primarily in the state's large cities.
The first schools in Mississippi were founded during the early 19th
century. The new state Constitution of 1869 instituted a public school
system, a board of education, and made the education of the state's
children mandatory for at least four months of the year. The institution
of a public school system—run by school districts—led to the creation of
taxes, which caused most Mississippians to initially oppose the new
measure—as the state was going through a major economic recession and
facing the destruction caused by the Civil War, which had ended four
years earlier, in 1865. However, as Mississippi's economic conditions
improved, the state's public school system began to receive greater
approval from the population. During the early 20th century, Mississippi
merged several rural school districts together in an attempt to
alleviate the financial difficulties of such districts, which had few
resources.
Currently, all educational institutions in Mississippi
need to follow rules and standards dictated by the Mississippi State
Board of Education. This board directly controls the state's public
school system, which is divided into different school districts. The
council is made up of nine members—five chosen by the governor, two by
the Lieutenant Governor and two by the State Legislature—for terms of up
to four years. These nine appoint a ninth member, who will act as
superintendent of education. Each primary city, various secondary cities
(towns) and each county is served by a school district. In cities,
responsibility for administration of the public school system falls to
municipal districts, while in less densely populated regions, this
responsibility falls to school districts, which operate on a countywide
basis. Mississippi allows the operation of "charter schools" —
independent public schools, which are not managed by school districts,
but which depend on public budgets for their operation. School
attendance is mandatory for all children and adolescents over six years
of age, until the completion of secondary education or up to sixteen
years of age.
In 1999, Mississippi public schools served
approximately 500.7 thousand students, employing approximately 30.7
thousand teachers. Private schools served about 51.4 thousand students,
employing approximately 3.9 thousand teachers. The state's public school
system consumed about $2.29 billion, and public school spending was
approximately $4,900 per student. About 81.2% of the state's inhabitants
over 25 years of age have a high school diploma.
Mississippi's
first public library was founded in Port Gibson in 1818. The oldest in
the state still in operation is the state library in Jackson, founded in
1838. Today, Mississippi has about 230 public libraries, managed by 49
library systems. different public libraries.
Mississippi's first
institution of higher education, Jefferson College, was founded in 1811.
The state's oldest institution of higher education still in operation is
Mississippi College, founded in Clinton in 1826 as Hampstead College.
The University of Mississippi is the state's oldest public institution
of higher education, founded in 1846. Mississippi does not have a public
higher education system, although it operates several colleges and
universities scattered throughout the state. Mississippi has 41
institutions of higher education, of which 26 are public and 15 are
private. Some of its major universities are the University of Southern
Mississippi, William Carey University, Mississippi College, and
Mississippi State University.
Jackson is the state's main road, rail and airport center, while Mississippi's main port center is Gulfport, located on the state's coastline on the Gulf of Mexico. In 2002, Mississippi had 1,102 kilometers of railroad tracks. In 2003, the state had 119,260 kilometers of public roads, of which 1,539 kilometers were interstate highways, considered part of the federal highway system of the United States.
Mississippi's first newspaper, the Mississippi Gazette, was first
published in 1799, in Natchez. Currently, about 115 newspapers are
published in the state, of which 20 are daily newspapers.
Mississippi's first radio station was founded in 1925, in Hattiesburg.
The state's first television station was founded in 1952, in Jackson.
Currently, Mississippi has 153 radio stations (of which 68 are AM and 85
are FM) and 21 television stations.
Mississippi is very rural, and churches (particularly Fundamentalist-Baptist) play a significant role in the social life of most communities.
Several well-known blues and rock 'n' roll artists hail from Mississippi. They often made a breakthrough in cities outside of Mississippi but immediately across the state border, such as New Orleans, Louisiana, or Memphis, Tennessee. The most famous artist from Mississippi is Elvis Presley.
Mississippi is the home of Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner. Many of his novels are set in a fictional Yoknapatawpha County in the Mississippi hills. Arkansas-born bestselling author John Grisham has also lived in Mississippi since he was a child, and many of his stories are set in the fictional town of Clanton in Ford County, Mississippi, which is also fictional. Author Kathryn Stockett is from Jackson, Mississippi. Her book Gute Geister is also set there and was filmed in 2011.