Learn About Missouri

Need to do a school report about Missouri’s state history, famous Missourians, state symbols, or how Missouri’s state government works? Here are some links to get you started.

Missouri State History

Missouri State Facts

  • State capital: Jefferson City
  • Original state capital: St. Charles
  • Admission to the Union: August 10, 1821 (24th state)
  • Area: 68,727 square miles (18th in U.S.)
  • Population: 6,154,913
  • Most populated cities
    • Kansas City: 486,404
    • St. Louis: 308,174
    • Springfield: 167,051
    • Independence: 117,084
    • Columbia: 121,230
  • Center of national population: Hartville, Mo.
  • Highest point: Taum Sauk Mountain (1,772 ft)
  • Lowest point: St. Francois River (230 ft)

Get access to a wealth of historical information about the Show-Me State, including details on historical figures like Lewis & Clark, Dred Scott and Harry S. Truman.

Historical Timeline
Take a timeline tour of Missouri’s history from 1673-1990.
Previous State and Federal Officials
The Historical Listing of Missouri’s State and Federal Officials provides basic information about those individuals who have served Missouri as state and federal legislators. The listing includes service from Missouri’s territorial period through the present.
Missouri Digital Heritage
More than 6.8 million records can be accessed through Missouri Digital Heritage, including the collections of the Missouri State Archives, the Missouri State Library and more than 50 institutions from across the state.
State Symbols
Can you name the state tree of Missouri? How about sing the state song? Brush up on your Missouri state symbols.

Missouri Economy

Get basic economic facts and figures about Missouri from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).

Other Resources

Presidents of the United States
Did you know that Ulysses S. Grant and Harry S. Truman both have strong ties to Missouri?
Famous Missourians
The Missouri House of Representatives has a tour of the Hall of Famous Missourians.
The Secretary of State has a Famous Missourians page.
The State Historical Society of Missouri has a Historic Missourians page.
50States.com has a Famous Missourians page.
Discovery Education Homework Help
Discovery Education offers free student resources that bring learning to life both inside and outside the classroom.
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities. The Reference tab includes: maps of the major world regions, as well as Flags of the World, a Physical Map of the World, a Political Map of the World, and a Standard Time Zones of the World map.