How many state capitals are on the Mississippi River?
Many people don’t realize that a dozen state capitals, three Canadian provinces and numerous cities in the US are geographically located on the Mississippi River. St. Louis tops the list with a population of over 300,000 people and other well known cities such as Memphis, Nashville, and Minneapolis-St. Paul dwarf the rest of the capitals in population size. But, the remaining capitals are very important cities on the mighty “Mighty Mississippi”.
Straight off the bat, one can easily point out the obvious state capital of St. Paul as being located on the Mississippi River. St. Paul, Minnesota is its capital city and is located at a crucial turning point in the river as it flows south-west before turning south-east to its final destination in the Gulf of Mexico. Other state capitals located on the river include Baton Rouge, LA, Jackson, MS, Little Rock, AR and St. Louis, MO.
In addition to those four capitals, there are also state capitals located on tributaries of the Mississippi River. Pierre, South Dakota and Des Moines in Iowa are located on tributaries of the mighty river while Helena, Montana is very close to the “Headwaters of the Missouri” which is one of the largest Mississippi River tributaries.
It should also be noted that there are 3 Canadian provinces located along the Mississippi River, which are Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. These provinces are technically not capitals as they are part of Canada rather than the United States, but they do contribute to the number of cities that are on the Mississippi River.
As far as cities on the Mississippi River go, one can find great diversity in their populations and geography. From the hustling and bustling cities of St. Louis and Minneapolis-St. Paul in the north, to smaller cities such as Pierre, South Dakota and Little Rock, Arkansas in the south. There are numerous cities of all shapes and sizes that are home to a variety of cultural and historical sites. From tourist attractions to natural wonders, the Mississippi River is a great place to find both educational and entertaining activities.
In conclusion, while there are a dozen state capitals located on the Mississippi River, it could be said that the total count of cities and provinces is much higher. It is easy to forget that even the smallest towns on the banks of the river have a rich culture and history to be explored. It is these small cities and towns that make the mighty Mississippi the amazing river that it is.
Additional State Capitals
In addition to the four state capitals mentioned above, there are also capitals located on tributaries of the Mississippi River. Pierre in South Dakota and Des Moines in Iowa are both located on tributaries of the river. Similarly, the states of Montana and Ohio both have state capitals close to the Mississippi River. The capital of Montana, Helena, is located just east of the “Headwaters of the Missouri” which is one of the river’s great tributaries while the capital of Ohio, Columbus, is located on the Upper Ohio River, which also eventually meets up with the Mississippi.
Moreover, the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois are also home to capitals located on or close to the Mississippi River. The capital of Minnesota, St. Paul, is located right on the Mississippi, while the capital of Wisconsin, Madison, is located just across the river from the Twin Cities. The capital of Illinois, Springfield is located south east of the river, but is close enough by driving distance to be counted as a capital situated near the Mississippi.
Roadway Infrastructure
Due to the geographic location of the capitals located on the Mississippi River, there is a great amount of infrastructure surrounding the river. Major interstates, highways, bridges and roads span the bridge making it easier for travelers to get from one place to the other. From St. Louis in the North to Baton Rouge in the South, there are numerous roads that intersect and traverse through the mighty Mississippi. These roads make it much easier to get around, especially when traveling within the states located close to the river.
In addition, there are a number of historic bridges and tunnels that help to facilitate travel. One of the most popular bridges is the iconic New Orleans Crescent City Connection, a double-decker bridge connecting the city of New Orleans to the state of Mississippi. Other major bridges include the Highway 35 Bridge in Bemidji, Minnesota, the Highway 82 Bridge in Louisville, Mississippi and the I-90 bridge in Minneapolis. All of these bridges help to make the Mississippi a more accessible and efficient way of traveling from point A to point B.
Furthermore, the numerous waterways of the Mississippi River have helped the flow of commerce for centuries. From barges to tankers, the mighty river has always been a large hub of economic and commercial activity. Trade ships from around the world can be found sailing up and down the river, transporting goods, produce and imports. Moreover, the river towns along the banks of the Mississippi have benefited greatly from this flourishing waterway trade.
Environmental Issues
Unfortunately, many of the cities located on the Mississippi River are grappling with serious environmental issues. The influx of shipping, factories and even agricultural practices has taken its toll on the environment and water quality. For example, the St. Louis area has been under increased scrutiny in recent years due to its location on the river. Industrial pollution has caused excessive run off and toxins to be discharged into the water, threatening the health of the aquatic wildlife, as well as the people who live near it.
The Canadian provinces near the river are also facing similar issues. The pollution coming from industrial activities in the southern parts of the provinces have led to high levels of contamination and the wildlife is struggling to survive. Consequently, authorities have had to create a variety of environmental regulations to ensure that the water quality is kept up to a reasonable standard.
While the cities and provinces on the Mississippi River are dealing with a great deal of environmental issues, there are also many initiatives being taken to fight back against the destruction of the environment. Several states have created programs to help reduce and even reverse the damage done to the river. For example, the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin have created hundreds of conservation and environmental education initiatives to combat the issue.
Pollution Control
Air pollution has become a major issue in the cities and provinces located on the Mississippi. Major cities such as St. Louis and Minneapolis-St. Paul release a significant amount of air pollutants into the environment, causing the air quality in the region to suffer. As a result, cities and provinces have been implementing various initiatives in order to bring down their emissions levels.
One of the best ways to combat air pollution is through the implementation of renewable energy sources. By using wind, solar and other renewable sources of power in our cities, we can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and help to reduce our emissions levels. This can not only benefit the environment, but also the health and wellbeing of those living near the Mississippi River.
In addition, cities and provinces on the Mississippi have taken advantage of new technologies to better monitor and regulate their pollution levels. For example, the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana has recently implemented the “Air Quality Monitoring Program” in order to track the pollutants being released into the air. This helps authorities to identify sources of air pollution and help them to better combat it.
Finally, cities and provinces along the Mississippi have also sought to control certain pollutants through the implementation of legislation. For example, many states have passed laws encouraging the use of cleaner burning fuels in order to reduce the emissions released into the environment. Other states have also introduced legislation to regulate the amount of waste being released into the river.
