Fascinating History
The Mississippi River has a long and complex history, and it is a symbol of the United States in many ways. Its origins are in the old French colony of New France, which was established in 1608 by explorer Pierre-Esprit Radisson and his associate Sieur de Groseilliers. The first Europeans to travel this river valley were the French explorers Louis Jolliet andJacques Marquette in 1673.
In the late 1700s, the Mississippi River formed the western boundary of the newly created United States of America. Major cities like New Orleans, Memphis, and St. Louis grew along its banks, and the river supported the transportation of goods, crops, and people. In the 19th century, the Mississippi River was a major route for steamboats. By the advent of the 20th century, the river was heavily polluted and difficult to navigate.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact that the Mississippi River has had is profound. The river’s basin covers over two million square miles, and its basin affects the drinking water for about 17 million people. The impacts of climate change and human activity, such as dams and agricultural runoff, are raising alarming concerns about its future.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified large stretches of the river as impaired due to elevated levels of nutrients and bacteria. In 2018, the EPA launched the “Mississippi River Collaborative” to better study, protect, and restore the health of the Mississippi River and its stream system.
Eccentricities
The Mississippi River is one of the most interesting and eccentric rivers in the world. It has not only earned respect as a powerful river with commercial and historical significance, but also a certain degree of notoriety. The Mississippi is the second longest river in North America and is home to some eccentric developments including riverboat casinos, the growing popularity of the Mississippi lifestyle, and its annual Mississippi River Festival.
The festival is an annual gathering of some of the world’s best musicians, scientists, and entertainers, who gather to celebrate the Mississippi’s cultural, educational, and artistic events. The event is also a great place for sightseeing as thousands of boats and yachts gather along the banks of the river every year.
Mississippi Blues
The Mississippi River is known for its musical influence, and its musical style includes blues and jazz. This music is a key part of what makes the river famous. The music has its roots in African-American culture and its original form was shaped by the experiences of struggle, poverty, and segregation endured by blacks in the South.
The Mississippi blues sound is based on the “backbeat” or “shuffle” rhythm, which is created by the use of heavy drums, guitar riffs, and horns. Its music is characterized by slow, sad melodies and wailing guitar lines or plaintive singing. Many of the most famous blues songs, such as Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” were inspired by the Mississippi River and its culture.
Popular Culture
The Mississippi River has been an important influence in popular culture for generations. One of the most well-known and celebrated works of literature, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and its sequel, Tom Sawyer, are set on the Mississippi. A number of other books, movies, and television shows, like the Oscar-winning Mississippi Burning, have also been based on the storied river. The river has also been the backdrop of numerous musical performances, and it remains one of the most popular destinations for tourists.
Magnificent Wildlife
The Mississippi River is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including more than 300 species of fish, some of which are endangered. The river is also home to a large number of species of birds, amphibians, and reptiles, including the American alligator, bald eagle, and beaver. Some of the best places to observe these animals are the Great River Road, Audubon Trail,Big Muddy Wildlife refuge, and the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Remarkable Flora
The Mississippi River is also home to a number of unique and interesting plants, including native species such as the American lotus, black mangrove,cattail, duckweed, swamp rose, and water lily. Many of these species help to control flooding and erosion and provide food and habitat for wildlife.
Impressive Geology
The geology of the Mississippi River is fascinating. The river forms the western boundary of the largest drainage basin in North America and its main channel is more than 2,300 miles long. It is estimated that more than 800 million tons of sediment is carried to its delta every year and these sediments form new landmasses.
Economy
The Mississippi River’s economic impact cannot be understated. It is heavily trafficked with commercial vessels carrying crude oil, grain, coal and wood products as well as recreational boats. The numerous ports along the river employ thousands of people in a diverse set of occupations from loading andunloading fisheries to working in transport, manufacturing and engineering.
Cultural Significance
Finally, the Mississippi River has a deep cultural significance. People around the world are familiar with its history and the stories that it represents. It is seen as a symbol of freedom, strength, and success, which makes it an important part of the collective consciousness of many Americans.
