Fun Fact 2: The state flag consists of a field of three horizontal stripes of equal thickness in the national colours; the top strip is red, middle white, bottom blue. Centrally place upon the stripes sits the state seal, surrounded by an outer circle of blue containing 24 stars (It was the 24th State to be admitted to the Union). The state seal consists of two bears, representing strength and valour, standing either side of a circular shield. The shield depicts 3 images, a crescent moon, an eagle holding an olive branch and a bear on a red background, the words "United we stand, divided we fall" surround the 3 images. The state motto is written in Latin; and the date 1820 written in Roman are situated below the shield (the date of Missouri Compromise)
Fun Fact 3: The Capital city of Missouri is Jefferson City; however the largest city is Kansas City. Jefferson City covers approximately 97 sq km or 38 sq mi and has a population of 43,183, compared to Kansas city which covers 820 sq km or 316 sq mi and has a population of approximately 464,310
Fun Fact 4: The area of the State covers 180,533 sq km or 69,704 sq mi
Fun Fact 5: There are eight states that border Missouri they are; Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, Nebraska, Kentucky and Oklahoma
Fun Fact 6: The Missouri state nickname is "The Show Me State". The nickname is said to have originated from Representative Willard Duncan Vandiver (served 1897 - 1903); it expresses the aspiration of simple common sense
Fun Fact 7: The climate is generally hot and humid in the summer and cold in the winter. Extreme weather conditions and tornados occasionally take it's toll on the state, the Joplin tornado of May 22, 2011 was the most destructive tornado in America since 1947, it became the seventh deadliest tornado in US history
Fun Fact 8: The official State Song of Missouri is "Missouri Waltz" it was written by J. R. Shannon, and adopted as the official state song on June 30, 1949
Fun Fact 9: The three largest cities in Missouri are Kansas City, Saint Louis and Springfield
Fun Fact 10: The State Motto is "Salus populi suprema lex esto" the State Motto is translates from Latin to read "The Welfare of the People shall be the Supreme Law"
Fun Fact 11: A brief history of Missouri - First European settlers explored the area in 1673, French took possession in 1682. The Spanish gained control by treaty on Nov 13, 1762. The Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803. Missouri was the 24th State admitted to the Union on August 10, 1821
Fun Fact 12: The abbreviation letters for the state of Missouri are - Mo. The Postal Code abbreviation is - MO
Fun Fact 13: MO state symbols include; MO animal symbol - the Missouri Mule. MO state bird symbol - the Bluebird. MO state flower symbol - the Hawthorn Blossom. MO state insect emblem - the Honeybee. MO State tree - the Flowering Dogwood
Fun Fact 14: There are 568 lakes in Missouri; the largest is the Truman Reservoir (225 sq km or 87 sq mi). Almost as large is Lake of the Ozarks (223 sq km or 86 sq mi). Because of its shape, The Lake of the Ozarks is also known as The Magic Dragon
Fun Fact 15: The US Department of Commerce Census Bureau states that the Population of Missouri in 2012 was an estimated 6,021,988. This compares to a population of 3,106,665 in the 1900 census |
