Missouri - The Show Me State

Capital City:

Jefferson City

Nickname:

Show Me State

Motto:

Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto (The Welfare of the People Shall Be the Supreme Law)

Statehood:

August 10, 1821 (24th)

Origin of State's Name:

Named after Algonquin Indian term meaning "river of the big canoes."

Largest Cities:

Kansas City, Saint Louis, Springfield, Independence, Columbia

Border States:

Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee

Land Area:

68,898 sq. mi., 18th largest

State Bird:

Bluebird

State Flower:

Hawthorn (crataegus)

State Tree:

American Dogwood (cornus florida)

State Song:

Missouri Waltz

Missouri is called the "Show Me State," because its people have a reputation for believing only what they see. Its name is an Algonquin Indian term meaning "river of the big canoes." Originally home to a number of Indian tribes, the state entered the Union in 1821. Today, more than half the population lives in Missouri's two major cities--Kansas City and St. Louis. The dogwood is the state tree, the bluebird is the state bird and the capital is Jefferson City.