Last updated on December 12th, 2023
50. Fans of Star Trek have a special place in their hearts for Canton as they know that this place is an alternative location for the Millenium Gate. Just when this city got featured in Star Trek: Voyager, fans started asking about this futuristic biosphere’s alternative location. This town was built at the site where the home of an ancestor of Voyager’s Captain- Kathryn Janeway was located.
51. Residents of Mississippi selected the prehistoric whale as the official State Fossil in 1981. The skeleton was restored and is now on display in the State.
52. The largemouth and black bass were chosen as the official State Fish of Mississippi in 1974. The black bass lives in vegetation-rich waters, while largemouth eats other fish.
53. Milk is the state beverage of Mississippi and of other 21 states including Arkansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and others.
54. The Northern Mockingbird is the official Mississippi State Bird and can be found throughout the State. The bird is also known for its beautiful musical capabilities.
55. Designated as the official State Dance of Mississippi is the Square Dance. It was also assigned as the official American folk dance in 1995.
56. More than 300 bird species make their home in the State of Mississippi. A familiar sound over the rivers and lakes of the State is the call of the Fish Crows.
57. The most snake bites reported in Mississippi are from the venomous cottonmouth snake. The white cotton color of the interior of the snake’s mouth gives ample warning.
58. On display at the old Spanish Fort Museum in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the world’s largest shrimp. It was caught by Scott Smith, owner of Scott’s Seafood.
59. Did you know that the largest shrimp species in Mississippi grow up to eleven inches and live for two years? It is known as the Mississippi Gulf pink shrimp.
60. The Mississippi SandHill Crane is endangered due to habitat loss. The bird has an eight-foot wingspan and is roughly 44 inches tall.
61. The population of the White-tailed Deer, which is estimated to exceed 1.75 million in the state, is higher on a deer-per-unit-area basis (density) than any other state, and only Texas has a greater number of deer. Nationally, the population of the White-tailed deer exceeds 30 million.
62. Mississippi is the poorest state in the U.S. The state has the lowest average income among the 50 U.S. states. However, the state has some of the nicest and most generous people in the country.
63. Mississippi produces more than 50% of America’s farm-raised catfish. The other top catfish-producing states include Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas.
64. Belzoni, Mississippi is also known as the “Catfish Capital of the World.”
65. Even though Mississippi is not the highest-yielding State for sweet potatoes, they still produce a lot annually. During the 2007 season, a record production of more than 300 million pounds was achieved.
66. Greenwood, MS is known as the “Cotton Capital of the World”.
67. According to a source, there are about 825 cotton farms in the state that produce over 1.4 million bales annually. Moreover, cotton production was valued at $562 million in 2017.
68. The world’s largest wood products and furniture manufacturer is in Eupora (Webster County), Mississippi. They employ more than 22,000 people and are one of the dominant industries in this State.
69. More than 30 towboat companies operated in Greenville, Mississippi, in the 1960s and 70s. Some built them while others operated these boats.
70. The largest Bible-binding plant in the US can be found in Greenwood, Mississippi. It is the Norris Book-binding plant operated by the brothers Johnny and Charles Sproles.
71. It is noteworthy that MS is home to NASA’s largest rocket engine test facility – The John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) located in Hancock County.
72. Some of the US Navy’s most potent and lethal ships are built at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Stealth-capable ships are also upgraded here.
73. At 806 feet, Woodland Mountain is the highest point in the state. The lowest point in Mississippi is along the shore at the Gulf of Mexico.
74. On average, Mississippi is affected by 27 tornadoes each year. Also, note that two of the five deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history have occurred in the state.
75. More than 50% of the area of the state is covered by wild or cultivated trees.
76. Madison County has a petrified forest near Flora and Pocahontas, Mississippi. You can walk on foot through the forest on self-guided pathways.
77. The world’s only cactus plantation is in Edwards, Mississippi. The owner, a World War Two veteran, opened it about 18 years ago when he bought the place.
78. Sardis Lake is the largest lake in the state.
79. If you have ever been to New Albany, you probably go to The Washington Park to inhale some fresh air in the morning. No doubt, that park has its attractions, but next time you set your foot over it, don’t forget to think about those over 40,000 dead bodies that were buried there once. Oh yes, you heard it right, Washington Park was built on a burial ground in the 1840s. After knowing that you won’t plan to walk there at night, this decision is totally understandable. That fact will haunt you for the rest of your life, isn’t it?
80. Many people are well-aware of another name of Meridian, FYI Queen City; however, what they don’t know is the main reason behind this name. Why is Meridian called “The Queen City.” If you think that’s because of The Queen of the East by Mayor Dial, who is also known as Meridian Mayor of the Golden Age during the 1990s, then it’s not the right answer. Other people try to create a connection between Gypsy Queen of North America and Meridian, but again, it’s not true. The fact is that Meridian and railroads have been a synonym for each other for almost 75 years. The community of this city witnessed growth due to the establishment of a railroad. No more nickname confusion, right?
81. Do you know that Hattiesburg has a nickname? Not really? Ok, then it’s time to know that Hattiesburg is also called “Hub City,” and it gets that name through the result of a newspaper contest in 1912. This city is an interaction hub for various essential rail lines. U.S Highway 49, U.S Highway 11, Interstate 59, and U.S Highway 98 all intersect near this city. So, it’s a connecting point for many highways in the USA.
82. A 65-foot waterfall, Dunn’s Falls, was created in the 1850s by an Irish immigrant, John Dunn. The place is ideal for different types of water activities.
83. One of America’s oldest team sports is stickball. As far back as 1729, the game was played by the Choctaw Indians of Mississippi.
84. An underrated space of Holly Spring is Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex. Professional BMX rider Daniel Dhers founded this 37,000-square-foot facility. This complex is the largest place to accommodate indoor and outdoor sports activities. So, if you are into sports, then don’t forget to plan your full-day trip there.
Further reading about Mississippi
Biloxi is well-known for fun activities. If you are searching for peace and want to stretch your feet in a relaxing atmosphere, then the breath-taking scenery of Biloxi’s white Sandy beach could be your next spot. There is a new boardwalk alongside the beach that lets you hold your partner’s hand and walk miles and miles of this refreshing place.
If you are a candid speaker and supporter of the go-green world, you should pay a visit to Mockingbird Cafe in Bay St. Louis because it’s the first plastic-free restaurant. It could be your next healthy breakfast spot in Gulfport where you can order a tasty omelet, lemon feta shortbread cookie, and one-and-only kind locally roasted coffee. Not a morning person? It’s good to go there on the last Friday of the month to tap on a fun-filled Mr. Atticus night that will unlock fun, music, tapas, and art for you.
Whenever you think of Vicksburg, the first thing that pops up in your mind is Vicksburg’s Battle. A lot of history stuff is there to check for. But what you don’t know about this historical city is that it’s an attraction point for UFO sightseers. If you believe in aliens and are ready to witness their existence, you should plan a visit to this city as hundreds of UFO sightings welcome you here.
If you think that Corinth is all about history and war, it’s time to add a twist into your thoughts since this city has romantic and breath-taking scenes that convince you to stay in this small town even longer than you planned. Couples who are looking for a perfect wedding venue should book the gardens of Greek Revival style Verandah-Curlee House.
Food facts
Hollywood Cafe in Robinsonville, Mississippi, originally made fried dill pickles. The pickles are cut into slices and dipped into catfish batter for a crunchy dish.
A must-eat snack is the Mississippi Mud Pie, a signature dessert of this State. It’s a crusty brownie base with melted marshmallows and glazed with chocolate sauce.
The dipping condiment known as Comeback Sauce is the signature sauce of Mississippi. The sauce originated at Mayflower Cafe in Jackson, Mississippi, and consists of chili sauce and mayonnaise.
You are close to Mississippi seafood, wherever you find yourself in the Delta region. Some dishes native to the area are catfish, bass, and walleye.
Mississippi residents created their own version of Po-boy. Pressed Po-boy has been a state favorite since it was first created by Rosetti’s Cafe in the 1940s.
Delta Tamales are another favorite dish for Mississippi locals. It is smaller than the Latin version, simmered instead of steamed, and made from cornmeal for a grainy texture.
A cheesecake-like dish, lemon icebox pie, is a favorite dessert in Mississippi. It has a crumbly Graham Cracker crust filled with a smooth, tart lemon filling and whipped cream on top.
The three-layered black bottom pie is another sweet dessert from Mississippi. It is a chocolate bottom on the gingersnap crust and a creamy custard filling topped with whipped cream.
Mississippi residents can’t get enough of the white chocolate bread pudding. Though it may come from elsewhere, the one made in Mississippi has its own delicious twist.
A classic side dish found in Mississippi is smoky southern collard greens. It is a staple food in this State but is also favored in many other places in the country.
About the Flag of Mississippi
1. Design and Symbolism
The flag of Mississippi has five vertical bands of various widths: red at the edges, blue at the center, and gold in between. The middle features a white magnolia blossom surrounded by 21 stars and the motto “In God We Trust.”
The flower represents the hospitality of the citizens and the state’s sense of hope and rebirth. Magnolias often bloom more than once. They also have an extended blooming season.
The 20 white stars are a nod to Mississippi’s designation as the 20th state admitted to the Union. It happened on December 10, 1817. The lone golden star is larger than the rest. It represents the indigenous Native American tribes who first inhabited the land.
The central blue field is the same hue as in the US flag. It is a symbol of justice, vigilance, and perseverance. Meanwhile, the red bands signify valor and hardiness. The gold borders point to the rich cultural history of the state.
2. Adoption
The current flag of Mississippi is one of the newest in the United States. It became official on January 11, 2021, replacing a controversial Confederacy-based flag. The designers were Rocky Vaughan, Kara Giles, Micah Whitson, Sue Anna Joe, and Dominique Pugh.
3. Technical Details
The proportion of the width to the length is 3:5. The design is free to download from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
4. History
The First Flag
Mississippi had no official flag before 1861. When the state declared secession, they had to improvise by raising an old Bonnie Blue flag to assert independence. People paraded on the streets under this banner.
A special committee designed a flag with a white field and a magnolia tree in the center. At the upper left, a blue square has a lone white star. Official adoption came on March 30, 1861. However, it was not as popular as the Confederate flags. After the Civil War, a new constitutional convention nullified several ordinances, including the one about the state flag.
The Second Flag
It took almost three decades before they could replace the old Magnolia flag. The second state flag passed in the legislature on February 7, 1894. Edward Scudder designed a tricolor banner with horizontal bands: blue, white, and red. On the upper left is a square bearing the Confederate battle flag. It has 13 stars to represent the original states of the Union. Unfortunately, the legislature made sweeping changes in 1906 that left Mississippi without a state flag until 2001.
The 2001 Referendum
In 2001, Governor Ronnie Musgrove appointed an independent commission to develop a replacement. They suggested a tricolor banner with a blue square and 20 white stars. A referendum asked voters to choose between the 1894 design and the new design, with the former winning 64% to 36%.
5. Current Flag
Replacement Drive
In 2015, a racially motivated church shooting by a white supremacist renewed calls to take down Confederate battle flags across southern states. The flag of Mississippi was under fire. Public universities, cities, and counties refused to use it. Some called for another flag referendum, but these did not prosper.
In 2020, a resolution to change the state flag gained bipartisan support. The public sent over 2,000 design proposals. A commission selected “The New Magnolia” flag for the referendum later that year, where it garnered 73% of the votes.
Quick facts about Mississippi and state symbols
| State Abbreviation | MS |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Jackson List Of 50 U.S. States And Their Capital |
| Largest City | Jackson |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 48,430 sq miles; Land Only: 46,907 sq miles |
| Population | 2,939,690 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | December 10, 1817 |
| State rank by population | 34th |
| State rank by date of formation | 20th |
| State rank by area | 32nd |
| Number of Counties | 82 Complete list of 50 states and number of counties in each |
| Demonym | Mississippian |
| Bordering States | Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee |
| Official Language | English |
| Highest Point | Woodall Mountain 807 ft (246.0 m) |
| Lowest point | Gulf of Mexico Sea level |
| Mean elevation | 300 feet above sea level |
| Length | 340 miles (545 km) |
| Width | 170 miles (275 km) |
| Governor | Tate Reeves (R) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Delbert Hosemann (R) |
| Electoral Votes | 6 |
| State Motto | Virtute et armis (By valor and arms) |
| State Nickname | Magnolia State |
| % Water | 3% |
| Noble prize Winners | William Faulkner (Literature, 1949) |
| Famous people | Brett Favre (Pro Football player) Cool Papa Bell (Baseball player) Chet Walker (Basketball player) Lacey Chabert (Actress) Britney Spears (Singer) |
| State Bird | Mockingbird |
| State Butterfly | Spicebush swallowtail |
| State Fish | Largemouth bass |
| State Flower | Magnolia |
| State Fossil | Prehistoric Whales |
| State Insect | Honey bee |
| State Land mammal | White-tailed deer |
| State Marine mammal | Bottlenose dolphin |
| State Reptile | American Alligator |
| State Shell | Eastern oyster |
| State Stone | Petrified Wood |
| State Tree | Magnolia |
| State Waterfowl | Wood duck |
| Longitude | 88° 06′ W to 91° 39′ W |
| Latitude | 30° 12′ N to 35° N |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone |
| Website | www.ms.gov |
| Area Codes | 228, 601, 662, 769 |
| Table last updated | July 1, 2024 |