{"id":13531,"date":"2023-10-31T19:30:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T18:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=13531"},"modified":"2023-10-31T19:30:17","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T18:30:17","slug":"what-is-the-length-of-the-mississippi-river-in-miles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/what-is-the-length-of-the-mississippi-river-in-miles\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is The Length Of The Mississippi River In Miles"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Actual Length of the Mississippi River in Miles<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River is known to be the lifeblood of the United States. Spanning more than 2,300 miles from its source at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River is a significant source of transportation, irrigation, and hydroelectric power. While the length of this huge river is frequently used as a benchmark for other similar rivers, what is the actual length of the Mississippi River in miles?<\/p>\n

As it turns out, the actual length of the Mississippi River in miles is 2,320, according to the United States Geological Survey. This figure is arrived at by measuring the exact river flow relative to the location of its source (Lake Itasca) and its mouth (Gulf of Mexico) and subtracting and adding the lengths of the various tributaries that feed in and out of the Mississippi along its course. While there is debate amongst scholars about the nomenclature used to describe the actual length of the Mississippi River, this figure is accepted by the majority.<\/p>\n

In order to understand why the length of the Mississippi is so impressive, it is useful to look at the history and geography of the region. The Mississippi River begins in Minnesota and slowly winds its way south all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it passes through or borders 10 different states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. As you can imagine, this geography has shaped the physical length of the Mississippi River, as well as its cultural and economic impact on the region.<\/p>\n

Beyond its impressive physical length, the Mississippi River contributes greatly to the United States’ economy through its navigable waters, in addition to being a significant source of irrigation and hydroelectric power. Millions of tons of goods and commodities are transported each year through the river and its tributaries. In fact, the Mississippi River is one of the most important rivers in the United States for transportation, irrigation and power.<\/p>\n

The Challenges and Opportunities Posed by the Length of the Mississippi River<\/h2>\n