{"id":11007,"date":"2023-11-30T07:45:11","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T06:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=11007"},"modified":"2023-11-30T07:45:11","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T06:45:11","slug":"how-long-is-the-mississippi-river-in-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-long-is-the-mississippi-river-in-the-united-states\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Is The Mississippi River In The United States"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Mississippi River is one of the longest and most important rivers on the face of the Earth. Stretching from northern Minnesota all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River is an important ecosystem for numerous species, as well as providing much of the lower parts of the United States with water, electricity and agricultural resources. But just how long is the Mississippi River within the United States?<\/p>\n

Measuring in at a staggering 2,530 miles, the Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the United States. This is longer than the second longest river in the United States, the Missouri River, which is 2,341 miles long. This is critically important as the Mississippi River provides drinking water and transportation to cities and towns throughout the central and southern United States, playing a large role in the economy and culture of the region. The look and feel of the river changes considerably when the river meanders through different states, due to the different levels of pollution and other factors, but it always remains the same length.<\/p>\n

The value of the Mississippi River is not just in its length however. It has been an important aspect of the United States’ history from the earliest days when Native Americans used it for numerous different things. Africans were brought over to work in the shipping industry and more. Additionally, during the Civil War, the Mississippi River proved itself to be an important barrier between the two sides. Even today, the river continues to influence culture and the economy, with activities ranging from freight shipping, recreational ships and kayaking.<\/p>\n

Numerous experts have given their perspectives on the importance of the Mississippi River. “The Mississippi provides a huge number of services and benefits to local communities and the entire nation,” says Dr. David Woo, an expert on the river’s ecology. “Not only does it provide a large delivery network for goods, it also purifies water, provides habitat for biodiversity, creates recreational opportunities and creates a sense of community among those who live along its banks.”<\/p>\n