From the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico, the mighty Mississippi River bisects the United States. Cities situated along the river are convenient for shipping goods and commuting between the two sides of the river, but also offer plenty to see and do. Here are four of the largest metropolitan areas gracing the banks of the Mississippi.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are the 15th largest metropolitan area in the US, with a population of nearly three and a half million and growing. Skirting the west bank of the Mississippi, Minneapolis alone houses some 400,000 souls and is the smallest of the four cities discussed here. Famous for its parks, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and the Stone Arch Bridge over St. Anthony Falls, it’s also known for having the most malls per capita in the US, making it a magnet for shoppers from far and wide.
It’s also home to numerous major corporate headquarters, among them Target and UnitedHealth and hosting a major printing and publishing industry thanks to the local presence of the likes of Time and Star Tribune. A vibrant music and theater scene, museums and galleries add culture to the vibrant nightlife and restaurant culture, ensuring Minneapolis remains a big draw all year round.
St. Louis, Missouri
Nicknamed the Gateway City, St. Louis has long been an important River port. Founded in 1764, it was a major city by the time of the early 19th century and became a great city of industry thanks to the arrival of the railways. Home to the iconic Gateway Arch, St. Louis is also legendary for its blues and jazz scene, with the Birdman of Alcatraz once gracing the stage of the city’s Cotton Club. Along the riverbank you’ll find the world’s tallest man-made monument, at over 630 feet, and the oldest brew house in America; Anheuser-Busch.
Today, St. Louis is the 20th most populous metro area in the United States, with a population of over two million. With academia highly regarded, the city is rich with educational institutions and research centers and touts the world’s only rail-based metro system. It’s also a major commercial and manufacturing hub, with businesses such as Monsanto, Edward Jones and Boeing located there.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is known as the home of the blues, the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Founded in 1819, Memphis was the key city of the Mississippi River trade, the cotton gin having brought wealth to the city, though sadly not to its slave workers. Graceland mansion, the home of former resident Elvis Presley, continues to be an important tourist draw.
Still an important trade hub and the Midwest’s largest inland port, Memphis is an epicenter of culture and commerce, boasting the world’s busiest cargo airport and numerous shipping terminals. Today, Memphis is the largest city of Tennessee, serving as the cultural heart of the Mid-South region, with the world’s largest population of Barbeque restaurants per capita. Though in decline, the district of Beale Street is still renowned for its amazing Blues and Jazz music.
New Orleans, Louisiana
A vibrant city with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, New Orleans is the northernmost port of the Caribbean on the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1718 by the French, the city is known for its multicultural society and the distinct dialect of French known as Cajun, derived from the French-Canadian immigrants. It’s often referred to as “the most interesting city in America.”
The Crescent City is renowned for the attractive French Quarter and its mostly-suburban lifestyle, its Carnival season and the world’s longest running annual street celebration, Mardi Gras. A famous stopping point for international ships heading up the Mississippi River, the Port of New Orleans remains a crucial trade location. The city is also home to numerous corporate headquarters and well-known universities, such as Tulane.
Influence of The Mississippi River on the Cities
The great American river has served generations of immigrants anew and provided a seemingly inexhaustible source of sustenance to the cities along its path. Whether providing direct access to crucial markets or a safe harbor to ships and cargo, the Mississippi has played a vital role in the growth of these urban hubs. Indeed, the Empire State Building was constructed with steel transported via the Mississippi by barges.
The cities have also paid homage to their grander neighbor with impressive man-made additions, whether through art installations or feats of engineering. In recent years, eco-friendly features have been implemented to honor the need to preserve while still allowing the historical waterway to flow. Structures like the Lower Atchafalaya River Control Structure keep the river in check while also providing pathways for migratory birds and fishing spots, popular with locals and tourists alike.
Environmental Concerns
As cities have developed along the banks of this ancient and majestic river, so too have the demands for its resources. Over the past two centuries, activities such as industry and farming have caused marked effects on the river’s chemistry, ecology and geography. Sewage has been released into the river, affecting the once-abundant fish and waterfowl. Nonetheless, changes have been implemented to address the environmental impact.
The 1972 Clean Water Act was one such federal initiative to combat water pollution, followed by state-level certification programs to ensure water quality, sewage system management and marine wildlife protection. States have also benefited from the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative and Environmental Protection Agency funding for local projects, furthering progress in preserving the unique ecosystems of the Mississippi River.
Recreational and Historical Value
Given the Mississippi’s unique role in American driving the country’s industries and immigration, the river is a repository of immense cultural and historical significance. There are numerous historical sites tracing America’s past, and lots of recreational opportunities, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the river first-hand. From steamboat cruises, to the Natchez Trace Parkway that follows the river’s course or the Mississippi Blues Trail, visitors will be amazed at the sheer magnitude and diversity of sites.
Visitors to the cities bordering the Mississippi can experience Civil War battlefields, visit exciting Mississippi River ports, get up close and personal in areas of outstanding beauty – or even just stroll along the river’s edge. All of the cities discussed have cruise companies offering day and evening trips around their individual areas of the main river.
Economic Power of the Mississippi River
As the third longest river in the USA, the Mississippi’s economic power extends far beyond the banks of the river. It acts not just as the artery of the country, but is also a great asset in providing efficient transport for all kinds of raw materials, from oil, sand and gravel to crops, fertilizers and minerals, to the many industries which rely on them.
The river’s network of tributaries, meaning navigable branches of the river, enable non-stop shipping down rivers within a very limited radius, minimizing the amount of fuel used in shipping, and adding to its substantial importance to the states which the Mississippi passes through.
Industrial and Commercial Clusters
Today, the Mississippi River is also renowned as an important commercial and industrial context. Featuring a collection of industrial and commercial clusters in each of the major cities, companies such as Airbus and Bayer have made sizable investments there. The river is abundant with raw materials, energy sources, agricultural products and environmental services.
Furthermore, access to the world’s fourth largest port situated on the river in Louisiana adds to the states’ economic power. All in all, the Mississippi River serves not only a significant role in the transport of goods, but is also a great source of significance in terms of commerce and industry.
International Reach
The Mississippi River does not just flow through America’s heartland, but also nation-building advances made by other states, from Latin America to the former Soviet Union. The river is one of a few major water routes connecting North America with the rest of the world, making it a crucial link in global trade.
These countries rely on the Mississippi River and the canal systems that link it, such as the Saint Lawrence Seaway, to help access different markets and to export their goods and services. This in turn has allowed these countries to grow their economic strengths and become valuable contributors to international trade.
Promotion of Responsible Jurisdictions
The US Army Corps of Engineers monitors the river’s environment in order to reduce pollution and to preserve the river for the prosperity of forthcoming generations. The regulation of industrial and commercial activities has also been carefully monitored, with strict rules against water pollution enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency.
In addition, promote the development of responsible jurisdictions along the Mississippi River, helping the states secure open, fair and competitive opportunities for businesses and attracting investments from a global level. For example, the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission is dedicated to developing high-speed passenger rail along the Mississippi.
Conclusion
From the tranquil rolling waters of Minneapolis to the vibrant, music-filled streets of New Orleans, the Mississippi River has been a sustaining source of life and an important source of commercial and industrial growth for centuries. Despite its often tumultuous history, the cities along the river continue to be a source of hope, joy and prosperous growth.
