Higher Education  

Mississippi has sixteen colleges and universities, as well as approximately twenty community colleges. The three largest state-run institutions are the University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg; Mississippi State University, near Starkville; and the University of Mississippi, at Oxford. Other public schools include Delta State, in Cleveland; Mississippi University for Women, in Columbus; Alcorn State, in Lorman; Jackson State, in Jackson, and Mississippi Valley State, in Itta Bena. Private institutions include Blue Mountain College, in Blue Mountain; William Carey College, in Hattiesburg; Mississippi College, in Clinton; and Tougaloo College, in Tougaloo.

Geography

Mississippi, which is in a part of the United States known as the Deep South, covers an area of 123,583 square kilometers. The state's two main regions are the Alluvial Plain and the East Gulf Coastal Plain. The Alluvial Plain encompasses the western edge of the state, and includes a triangular-shaped area in the northwest. Called the Yazoo Basin or the Delta, this area contains rich, black soil suitable for farming. The East Gulf Coastal Plain covers the eastern part of Mississippi; this area's thin soil is better suited for livestock grazing than for farming. The Mississippi River forms the state's western border, while 71 kilometers of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico forms the state's southern border. Mississippi has several large artificial lakes, such as the Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson. The state's major cities are Jackson (capital), Biloxi, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Greenville, and Gulfport. Mississippi has bout 2.6 million residents.

Climate

The average temperature during the summer in Mississippi is 28° C, while the average winter temperature is 9° C. The state's mild winters allow for a growing season of from 180-200 days in the north, and from 250-300 days in the south. Snow is rare in Mississippi, but the state occasionally experiences tornadoes, hurricanes or floods. Rainfall ranges from an average of 127 cm in the north to 165 cm in the south.

Cultural Profile

Country music and blues are often associated with Mississippi; however, the state also boasts strong classical music programs. The oldest of the state's five symphony orchestras is located in Jackson, which is also home to the Mississippi Opera Association. Many college and university groups throughout the state also offer classical performances.

Mississippi's museums include the State Historical Museum, the Mississippi Museum of Art, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum, all in Jackson; the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, in Laurel; the Mary Buie Art Museum, in Oxford; the Delta Blues Museum, at Clarksdale; and the Old Court House Museum, at Vicksburg.

Recreation

There are twenty-six state parks in Mississippi, all of which offer a variety of outdoor activities. Camping and hiking facilities are available at De Soto, Bienville, Delta, Holly Springs, and Homochitto national forests. Some interesting places to visit in Mississippi are Florewood River Plantation, near Greenwood; Fort Massachusetts, on Ship Island; Old Spanish Fort, in Pascagoula; Biloxi Lighthouse; Blues Archives, at the University of Mississippi in Oxford; Petrified Forest, near Flora; Vicksburg National Military Park, in Vicksburg; and Waterways Experiment Station, in Vicksburg.

Interesting Facts

Mississippi is a major producer of broiler chickens, cotton, rice, catfish, and shrimp. In the 18th century, Mississippi was part of a colony called West Florida. Famous Mississippians include Elvis Presley (singer and actor), William Faulkner (writer), Jim Henson (puppeteer), James Earl Jones (actor), Eudora Welty (writer), Tennessee Williams (playwright), Oprah Winfrey (talk show hostess), and Richard Wright (writer).