Introduction
The Mississippi River is a major river of North America, running through ten U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Dating back tens of thousands of years, it was first used by Indigenous peoples living along its banks, with evidence of the first villages of hunter-gatherers living in the basin showing up by 3,000 BCE. Since then, the Mississippi River has been an integral part of U.S. history, from its explorations by the Spanish to the central role it played in the development of the country’s economy and trade.
Not only is the Mississippi River crucial to U.S. history and economics, it is also one of the longest in the world. It flows from the source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of 2,320 miles (3,730 km). It’s hard to imagine such a large body of water, but it touches numerous states along its course. But how many states does the mighty Mississippi River actually affect?
Physical Dimensions
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world and the twenty-sixth longest river in the United States. It carries sediment and other materials all along its route, and its total length of 2,320 miles (3,730 km) and drainage basin of 1,151,000 square miles (2,981,000 km2) make it one of the most significant bodies of water in North America. The basin is located mainly in the United States, with 11% of the basin located in Canada, making it one of the most important bodies of water linking the United States and Canada.
The source of the Mississippi River is Lake Itasca located in Minnesota, and it eventually empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Its course is divided into two sections, the Upper Mississippi River and the Lower Mississippi River. The Upper Mississippi River runs for 981 miles (1,578 km) from its source in Lake Itasca to the confluence with the Missouri River near St. Louis, Missouri. The Lower Mississippi River runs from the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of 1,338 miles (2,152 km).
U.S. States Through Which the Mississippi River Flows
The Mississippi River affects 10 U.S. states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This can be summed up as “The Mississippi River flows through the MIST states.”
Starting from the source, the Mississippi River passes through Minnesota, Wisconsin, and a corner of southeast Iowa before entering Illinois. After leaving Illinois, the Mississippi River cuts through southeast Missouri and crosses into Kentucky. From there, it flows south, cutting through western and northern Tennessee, eastern Arkansas,, and then Arkansas and Mississippi together, forming the Mississippi Delta and finally entering the Gulf of Mexico, with the Lower Mississippi River flowing through Louisiana.
The Long Statutory Reach of the Mississippi
The Mississippi River holds a unique place in the hearts of Americans. It has been a vital transportation and communication corridor, connecting people and places. It has been a key feature in the development of the nations it divides, providing a major artery to expand trade, migration, and settlement. The Mississippi River has both physical and political boundaries and reaches across multiple states in a very long stretch. It is estimated that the stretch of the Mississippi River that links all the 10 states it touches is about 1,550 miles (2,494 km). This has allowed several states along its course to form strong economic ties, a process that has become more visible in recent years with the growth of the industrial and agricultural industries in states like Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.
The Impact on Biodiversity
The Mississippi River is a key part of the region’s biodiversity. It acts as a home to thousands of species and is a vital resource for thousands more. Many of the species dependent on the Mississippi River are relatively scarce or endangered, and so the river provides a refuge and critical resource for them.
In addition to being a key habitat for numerous species, the Mississippi River provides a number of important environmental services, such as moderating floods, filtering pollution, and moderating temperatures. It also provides recreational opportunities such as fishing, canoeing, and boating.
Economic Relevance of the Mississippi River to the US
The Mississippi River does not only provide vital environmental services, but it also plays a major role in the economy of the U.S. states it passes through. Agriculture and manufacturing are two of the main industries in the states where the Mississippi River flows, and it is no coincidence that in states like Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas, the agricultural and manufacturing sectors are heavily dependant on the river.
The Mississippi River is a critical part of the transportation infrastructure, acting as a major highway for shipping and a source of inexpensive energy for local industries. The river is also the source of the drinking water for millions of people, and it is a major tourist attraction due to its scenic beauty.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is an important part of the North American landscape, both physically and economically. It has been a major part of U.S. history and culture, and it touches 10 U.S. states. From providing environmental services like moderating floods, to being a key component in the U.S. economy, the Mississippi River is a huge contributor to its surrounding environment, and its’ influence will be felt for many years to come.
