Statehood: August 10,1821, twenty-fourth state
Origin of Name: From the Illinois language meaning "people of the big canoe".
State Capital: Jefferson City
State Nickname: Show Me State
State Motto: The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law.
State Flag:Three equilateral horizontal stripes of red, white, and
blue surround the state seal, which is set in a circle of twenty-four
stars to signify that Missouri was the twenty-fourth state. The seal
features two grizzly bears holding a circlet that reads "United we stand,
divided we fall." They stand on a scroll inscribed with the state motto.
A shield divided in two is in the center of the seal to symbolize
that Missouri is united with, but independent from, the federal
government.
State Bird: Blue Bird
State Flower: Hawthorn
State Tree: Dogwood
State Insect: Honeybee
State Mineral: Galena
Population Density: 70.5 people per sq. mi.
Population Distribution: 68.1% of the population live in the cities and towns; 31.9% live on farms.
Highest Point: Taum Sauk Mountain - 1,772 ft.
Lowest Point: St. Francis River - 230 ft.
Greatest Distances:
Area: 69,697 sq. mi.
Rank in Area Among the States: Nineteenth