Capital: Jefferson City

Governor: Bob Holden, D (to Jan. 2005)

Lieut. Governor: Joe Maxwell, D (to Jan. 2005)

Senators: Christopher S. Bond, R (to Jan. 2005); Jean Carnahan, D (to Jan. 2007)

Secy. of State: Matt Blunt, R (to Jan. 2005)

Auditor: Claire C. McCaskill, D (to Jan. 2003)

Treasurer: Nancy Farmer, D (to Jan. 2004)

Atty. General: Jeremiah "Jay" W. Nixon, D (to Jan. 2005)

Organized as territory: June 4, 1812

Entered Union (rank): Aug. 10, 1821 (24)

Present constitution adopted: 1945

Motto: Salus populi suprema lex esto (The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law)

State Symbols:

Missouri - The ideal student destination

Hernando De Soto visited the Missouri area in 1541. France's claim to the entire region was based on sieur de la Salle's travels in 1682. French fur traders established Ste. Genevieve in 1735 and St. Louis was first settled in 1764.

The U.S. gained Missouri from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and the territory was admitted as a state following the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Throughout the pre-Civil War period and during the war, Missourians were sharply divided in their opinions about slavery and in their allegiances, supplying both Union and Confederate forces with troops. However, the state itself remained in the Union.

Historically, Missouri played a leading role as a gateway to the West, St. Joseph being the eastern starting point of the Pony Express, while the much-traveled Santa Fe and Oregon trails began in Independence.

Missouri's economy relies on a diversified industrial base. Service industries provide more income and jobs than any other segment, and include a growing tourism and travel sector. Wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and agriculture also play significant roles in the state's economy. Missouri is a leading producer of transportation equipment (including automobile manufacturing and auto parts), beer and beverages, and defense and aerospace technology. Food processing is the state's fastest-growing industry, well suited to the state's blend of agricultural, natural, energy, and transportation resources. Missouri mines produce 90% of the nation's principal (non-recycled) lead supply.

The state's top agricultural products include grain, sorghum, hay, corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley, tobacco, and rice. A well-established grape and wine program brings together aspects of agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism to support a vibrant vintner industry.

Tourism draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to a number of Missouri points of interest: the country-music shows of Branson; Bass Pro Shops national headquarters (Springfield); the Gateway Arch at the Jefferson National Expansion (St. Louis); Mark Twain's boyhood home (Hannibal); the Harry S Truman home and library (Independence); the scenic beauty of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways; and the Pony Express and Jesse James museums (St. Joseph). The state's different lake regions also attract fishermen and sun-seekers from throughout the Midwest.

Nickname: Show-me State

Origin of name: Named after the Missouri Indian tribe. "Missouri" means "town of the large canoes."

10 largest cities (1999 est.): Kansas City, 437,764; St. Louis, 333,960; Springfield, 142,669; Independence, 117,545; Columbia, 80,500; St. Joseph, 69,577; Lee's Summit, 68,961; St. Charles, 59,276; St. Peter's, 52,411; Florissant, 50,060

Land area: 68,898 sq mi. (178,446 sq km)

Geographic center: In Miller Co., 20 mi. SW of Jefferson City

Number of counties: 114, plus 1 independent city

Largest county by population and area: St. Louis, 996,181 (1999 est.); Texas, 1,179 sq mi.

Conservation areas1: leased, 287 (194,381 ac.); owned, 785 (761,863 ac.)

Conservation accesses: leased, 72; owned, 251

State parks and historic sites: 80

Residents: Missourian

1999 resident population est.: 5,468,338

1990 resident census population (rank): 5,117,073 (15). Male: 2,464,315; Female: 2,652,758. White: 4,486,228 (87.7%); Black: 548,208 (10.7%); American Indian: 19,835 (0.4%); Asian: 41,277 (0.8%); Other race: 21,525 (0.4%); Hispanic: 61,702 (1.2%). 1990 percent population under 18: 25.7; 65 and over: 14.0; median age: 33.4.