Missouri
"Show-me State"
- Motto
- Salus populi suprema lex esto (The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law)
- Capitol
- Jefferson City
- Name Origin
- Named after the Missouri Indian tribe. “Missouri” means “town of the large canoes.”
- Statehood Date
- Aug. 10, 1821 (24th)
Cities in Missouri
NOTE: Not all cities are displayed. Please narrow your selection by using the search above.
Official Symbols
A state's official symbols represent the composition and culture of the land and people who live and have lived here. Below are the symbols of Missouri along with the year they became official.
| Flower | Hawthorn (1923) |
| Bird | Bluebird (1927) |
| Aquatic Animal | Paddlefish (1997) |
| Fish | Channel Catfish (1997) |
| Song | “Missouri Waltz” (1949) |
| Fossil | Crinoid (1989) |
| Musical Instrument | Fiddle (1987) |
| Rock | Mozarkite (1967) |
| Mineral | Galena (1967) |
| Insect | Honeybee (1985) |
| Tree | Flowering Dogwood (1955) |
| Tree Nut | Eastern Black Walnut (1990) |
| Animal | Mule (1995) |
| Dance | Square Dance (1995) |
| Missouri Day | Third Wednesday In October (1969) |
Demographics
- Population Density
- 81.2 people per square mile
Geography and Weather
- Land Area
- 68,886 sq mi. (178,415 sq km)
- Lowest Elevation
- 0 ft (0 m)
- Average Elevation
- 800 ft (243.84 m)
- Highest Temperature Recorded
- 118°F (48°C) on July 14, 1954
- Lowest Temperature Recorded
- –40°F (–40°C) on February 13, 1905
