The Mississippi River has long been a significant part of the geography of North America and is widely known for its connection to the infamous New Orleans. What many people don’t know is that the river had another name, one given by a faraway country: Spain. In the 17th century, Spain played a large role in the colonization of the coasts of the modern United States and to honor the memory of their king, they named the river “Río de Carlos II”, in his honor.
For over a hundred years, Spain had a dominant presence in the region, influenced religious beliefs, as well as major events of the day. The Spanish were interested in exploring even further and they were also hoping to conect their colonies in the Caribbean with their colonies on the Agustinian coast by means of a river. As a result, in 1699 a party of five British explorers was sent out to investigate the length and breadth of the Mississippi. When the Spanish joined the mission, they called it “Río de Carlos II” in honor of Spain’s King, Charles II.
Mississippi was the name of the indigenous Americans who lived along the banks of the river and Spanish explorers embraced the name and substituted it for the original name. The original name, ‘Río de Carlos II’, was rarely used. Over time, its associations to Spain were gradually forgotten and the name Mississippi has stuck since.
The Mississippi river has become an important part of the American experienced, providing economic, social and cultural opportunities to the states and countries it dives through. It is the fourth longest river system in the world and the main tributary of the Gulf of Mexico. It is also said to be responsible for the invention of the steamboat and helped connect the nation during the industrial revolution, thanks to railway bridges.
The importance of the Mississippi River is difficult to overstate and its long-term significance for the entire North American continent is unquestionable. Although, the river was originally named after a Spanish King, the name was quickly forgotten and it is now widely known by its native name. Many nations have played a role in its history and the story of the Mississippi River is one of the most fascinating tales of the region.
Human Impact On The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has an absolutely fundamental breath for the people of North America, being an essential source of water that has traditionally fuelled fishing industry, farming and navigation. In fact, more than eight states and two Canadian provinces depend on the river for their economic development and thousands of people get their livelihoods directly connected to it.
Unfortunately, the river was also severely affected by the impact of humans, particularly in the 20th century. As the industrial revolution arrived in North America, people have often used the river in a very inconsiderate way, discharging many of their waste into its waters. Pollution is still a major problem for the Mississippi and the public is pushing for greater environmental protection for the highly valuable resource.
Recognizing this fact, several projects of river cleaning and revitalization have been proposed to tackle the issues of pollution and improve the overall health of the ecosystem. Those initiatives try to educate and create awareness among the citizens to curb the attitudes of exploitation, helping to reduce the human activity and its impacts on the river.
Governments are supporting the initiatives and investing substantial amounts to improve the water quality of the Mississippi and good progress is being made. In addition to that, conservation projects are also being made to preserve the wildlife and the habitats. There is still a long way to go, but there are promising signs of advancements.
The Role Of Agriculture In The Mississippi River
Agriculture plays a significant role in the history and economy of the Mississippi, being an essential industry in the river. The same transpires in the environment around the marks, producing a unique elevation in biodiversity and presents of the land surrounding its banks.
The region is populated by many crops such as wheat and corn, as well as many other species of fruits and vegetables. With the arrival of cotton to the United States during the 19th century, the area was already adapted for this purpose. Furthermore, the fertility of the land, thanks to its frequent inundations, provides an ideal place to practice intensive farming.
The use of chemicals and artificial fertilizers has been an ongoing challenge of the farming along the Mississippi as it can produce a severe damage to the water quality of the river. Furthermore, farmers often face the risk of floods and droughts, because of the high variability of the water level according to the seasons. Despite this, the local communities are striving to find solutions to the problems and not just to make the most of their resources but also to protect their area.
Potential Effects Of Levees On The Mississippi River
The Levee system around the Mississippi can have both positive and negative effects on the river. On the one hand, The Levees can reduce the damages caused by floods, protecting people, their homes, and investment in areas that are susceptible to such risks. On the other hand, this system can prevent the transport of salt water from the ocean, which is a natural debt movement that supplies fresh water to the river, therefore the Levees can increase the salinity of the environment.
Furthermore, the building of the Levees can increase the rate of erosion, because they act as intentional dams, hindering the natural movement of the water. This can cause the river to divert its course to other areas, creating mass destruction along the bank of the Mississippi. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Leves can also reduce the fertility of the soil in the area, diminishing the production of agriculture and with it, the income of the people.
The evaluation of the Levees around the Mississippi River is certainly on a very heated debate among scientists, civil society and the government. Many experts have written on the issue and have argued both for and against their construction. There is a general consensus that because of the crucial role of the Mississippi River for the local communities and its environment, building levees can bring more harm than good in the longterm.
Opportunities For Water-Related Activities
Water-related activities are one of the major leisure options of the Mississippi and the area around it offers many interesting things for the people travelling to the region. Fishing is one of the major attractions and local and international anglers helps to inject income into the local communities as well as promoting an amazing exchange with other cultures.
Moreover, the area around the Mississippi also features many big regions of mountains, some of them are protected by the National Parks system, offering great options to hiker, campers and any other adventure seeker. Some of the most popular activities are the canoeing, swimming, kayaking and river rafting.
The Mississippi is an amazing combination of life, beauty, and pleasure with its deep canyons and smooth sand banks and provides a truly an amazing experience. From the bayou, to the tranquility of its rivers, the region is rich in natural resources, offering a great opportunity for anyone who is lucky enough to visit it.
Structural Changes Of The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has been facing a gradual decline in its sediment levels due to human activity, which, as a result, has also caused an extreme decrease in the yearly river floods. The constant rise of the sea level is an additional cause of the changes in the river system in the region, with more and more tidal waves reaching the upstream areas of the Mississippi.
In addition to that, the changes of the land use and terrain management practices have also contributed to the shift in the sediment flow of the river. Many areas have been converted from river delta and swamps to cities and agricultural lands, thus changing the direction of the water streams and their abitat.The lack of flooding also changes the whole ecosystem in the riverside, including microorganisms, plants and animals.
These changes are also affecting infrastructure along the Mississippi River and the local communities. Towns and cities can be submerged if the water level rises toomuch, and people in the rural area can lose the habitable land they live in, due to the constructions in the land. Several government plans are in the works to attempt to diminish the effects of the structural changes of the Mississippi River.
Financial Benefits Of The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is one of most wellspring of economic growth in the region is essential for many sectors of the economy. Transportation of both passengers and cargo is a key activity of the river, with many big companies exploiting the route as an alternative way to move their products and services. Tourism has also benefited from its waters, with several cruises and steamboats travelling along it.
Moreover, the mighty Mississippi is a major supplier of fresh water in the region, making possible the production of several commodities for both local and export markets. The fishing industry has been a long-time supporter of the river, with thousands of local companies that depend on its waters for their livelihoods.
The enormous vitality of the Mississippi is barely contested, but the locals are still facing difficulties to fully exploit the potential of its waters and have every opportunity to make the most of it. Many groups are putting forth an effort to promote the socioeconomic development of the region and help create income in the area.
Environmental Protection Of The Mississippi River
Conserving the environment of the Mississippi river is essential for preserving its biodiversity and ecosystems. Thankfully, both governments and the public are working hard towards this goal. A great number of organizations and independent projects have been created to promote a responsible usage of the river and its resources.
The features of the environment are incredibly valuable and must be cherished, now more than ever. Water pollution is an ongoing challenge in the region and yet many laws have been enacted in recent years to tackle the issue. In addition to that, public awareness campaigns have been conducted, helping to educate people about the importance of taking care of the river.
The Mississippi River is one of the most remarkable natural wonders of the region and, therefore, should be protected with the utmost zeal. Both governments and the people of the region must strive together to make sure that its priceless resources are not squandered. Only if we do so, future generations will be able to enjoy its amazing beauty for many years to come.
