{"id":11428,"date":"2024-01-03T21:15:09","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T20:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=11428"},"modified":"2024-01-03T21:15:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T20:15:09","slug":"how-many-cities-does-the-mississippi-river-run-through","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-many-cities-does-the-mississippi-river-run-through\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Cities Does The Mississippi River Run Through"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nThe Mississippi River is one of America’s most distinguished and grand waterways, stretching across its states from the mighty Gulf of Mexico to the Red River shores of Minnesota. While its waters course through many areas of the country, how many cities does it run through? It is a complex network of tributaries and channels, but by examining the historical and methodological data, a better understanding can be gained of the cities that are lucky enough to feature the Mississippi. <\/span>\n

History of the Mississippi River <\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River has been prominent in American history since the first European settlers arrived in the area. For thousands of years before that, Indigenous Americans had already been utilizing its tributaries, banks, and shorelines. The earliest of these Native Americans, referred to as Mound Builders, built mounds, earthworks, and other structures to worship their gods and to further their spiritual journey. As colonial settlement spread across the continent and continued to expand up and down the Mississippi, so too did the influence of the river.<\/span>
\nThe culture that developed around the Mississippi River was born out of necessity. The river was seen as a vital source of economical and spiritual sustenance, providing resources such as fish, timber, and transport. It was also seen as a place of recreation and spiritual enlightenment, as documented in accounts of Native Americans’ spiritual and recreational journeys along the river. As new settlements on the banks of the river were established and grew, the Mississippi river became an intrinsic part of the cultural and economic development of the nation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mississippi’s Tributaries<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River runs through the entire length of the United States, connecting all of the Great Lakes and several Gulf of Mexico states. Its course includes 29 tributaries, 71 major tributaries, and over 2,000 smaller ones. These tributaries have had an immense impact on the course of history, providing transportation routes and a means for settlers to travel to new lands, as well as providing a way for goods and services to travel vast distances. Many of these tributaries have also had a role in the development of some of the most populous cities along the Mississippi, such as New Orleans, St. Louis, and Memphis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cities Along the Mississippi River<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River runs through 37 cities and towns of the United States, starting in Louisiana with the city of Baton Rouge and ending in Minnesota with the city of Aitkin. Several of these cities boast rich history and culture, such as New Orleans, home to one of the largest and most vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations in the world. St. Louis and Minneapolis are both major metropolises located along the Mississippi, while small towns like Hannibal, Missouri and Natchez, Mississippi provide their own special charm. All of these cities, regardless of size, are connected by the timeless flow of the Mississippi. In addition, many of America’s greatest works such as the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the grandiose bridges like the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis, owe a debt to the great river that runs through them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Environmental Factors Affecting the Mississippi<\/h2>\n