Missouri stands at the center of the United States, a Midwestern state bordered by eight others and shaped by the flow of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. With more than six million residents, it is the country’s 19th-most populous state and a geographic, cultural, and economic crossroads. Its major urban centers areSt. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Columbia ranging form thriving hubs of technology, education, finance, and the arts, while the capital, Jefferson City, anchors life along the Missouri River.

Missouri’s landscape spans wide agricultural plains, historic river valleys, and the rugged beauty of the Ozarks, a forested highland in the state’s southern region. The ancient St. Francois Mountains, more than a billion years old, rise from the Ozarks and stand among Earth’s oldest landforms. Lakes, caves, rivers, and state parks give residents and travelers extensive opportunities for hiking, paddling, fishing, and year-round recreation. This natural diversity has long supported industries including farming, manufacturing, and mining, while also driving tourism across the state.

Missouri’s culture blends Midwestern and Southern influences, reflected in its music, cuisine, and long-standing traditions. The state is the birthplace of ragtime, Kansas City jazz, and St. Louis blues, and its barbecue styles both Kansas City and St. Louis have shaped American culinary identity. Today, Missouri offers a rich mix of museums, entertainment districts, historic sites, festivals, and outdoor destinations, drawing visitors to explore its dynamic cities, small towns, and scenic landscapes.