Geographical History
The source of the Mississippi River is traditionally accepted to be Lake Itasca located in Clearwater county, Minnesota. This is because it is the furthest north and most westerly of the river’s major sources. The utmost source of the river, however, is in the Laurentian Divide in the Lake of the Woods area of Ontario, although the U.S. Geological Survey and Geological Society of America recognize Lake Itasca as the river’s source.
Traveling from the source of the river, the Mississippi flows over 2,320 miles through the Great Lakes and ten different states before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi is seen as one of the longest rivers in the world, as well as the fourth-longest river in the world, following the Nile, Amazon, and Yangtze rivers.
Geographical Features
The Mississippi River is the fourth-longest river in the world and the second-longest in America. It stretches over 2,320 miles, winding through ten states; Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Over the course of its course, the Mississippi is joined by tributaries, or rivers that join the Mississippi, such as the Missouri River in the Upper Mississippi.
The Mississippi flows through many different geographical features from swamps, to floodplains, to canyons. There are a variety of ecosystems along the length of the river, from small ponds, marshes, wetlands, swamps and bogs at the start of the river, to a canal-lined Mississippi River Valley.
The Human Impact
Humans have had a significant impact on the Mississippi River, largely through their use of it as source of transportation and commerce. The river has been used as an intricate trade route and shipping lane since the 1700s. The river was also an integral part of the Underground Railroad and the migration of black Americans to the north.
The human impact on the environment of the river has been both positive and negative. The development of levees, dams and canals has allowed for increased commerce and transportation, but it has also led to the loss of the natural environment along the length of the river. Over the course of the 20th century the Mississippi River has been heavily industrialized and urbanized, leading to degraded water quality.
Cultural Impact of the Mississippi
The Mississippi River has been a source of inspiration for many artists, writers and musicians. The impact that the river has had on popular culture is immense. From the work of authors such as Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway, to blues songs and jazz, the Mississippi has been fundamental in forming popular culture in the United States.
Perhaps one of the most famous songs to come out of the Mississippi is Chuck Berry’s ‘Roll Over Mississippi’. This song focuses on the difficulty of crossing the Mississippi and the way it holds a metaphorical significance for making big life decisions. This song became a staple in pop culture, being referred to in films such as Sister Act II and Forrest Gump.
Conservation Efforts
In recent years, there has been an increased focus on conservation efforts for the Mississippi River. For a long time the river has been subject to human activities, including agricultural and industrial waste, leading to threats to the river’s ecology. In response to this, conservation campaigns have been put in place to help protect the river.
One of the biggest conservation efforts for the Mississippi River is the Great River Road Project. This project is made up of ten different states that have pledged to work together to protect the environment of the Mississippi River. States such as Wisconsin and Arkansas have started campaigns such as ‘River Watch’, which encourages communities to be involved in the preservation of the Mississippi.
Economic Impact of the Mississippi
The Mississippi River has been a source of economic activity for centuries and is one of the most important economic regions in the United States. The river is seen as a major shipping route, and its ports are seen as some of the largest in the country. As of 2016, the Mississippi ports had an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of $101.5 billion.
In terms of agricultural importance, the Mississippi River is a major source of water for farming and irrigation systems. The region along the river is also a major driver of tourism, with an estimated 33 million tourists annually. Tourism is also a major driver of economic growth, especially in the states along the river such as Mississippi and Louisiana.
Significance of the Mississippi
The Mississippi River is one of the most significant rivers in the United States, and its importance and influence can be seen from both an economic and cultural perspective. From the importance of trade, to its impact on popular culture, the Mississippi River is an integral part of American history.
The eco-systems along the length of the Mississippi are just one of the many areas in danger due to the human activities that have taken place along its banks. In response to this, organisations and campaigns are looking for ways to both preserve the Mississippi and its ecosystems, as well as continuing to benefit from its immense economic potential.
