When I was in Pre-kindergarten my teacher's first name was Missouri. Now I am in fourth grade and I am doing a report on Missouri, the state. Missouri is a state in the central area of the United States. It has a moist climate.

Can you believe that Missouri has a size of 69,686 square miles and it is the 19^th biggest state in the United States? The population of Missouri is 5,358,692. The capital of Missouri is Jefferson City. Other important cities are Kansas City and Silver Dollar City. Missouri’s biggest mountain is Taum Sauk Mountain. Missouri also has a main river called the St. Francis River. Missouri’s national forest is Mark Twain Forest. It was named after the writer Mark Twain. Missouri has over 3,900 caves.

The state colors are the same as the U.S. flag; red, white, and blue. The flower is the Hawthorn flower. Missouri’s bird is called the Bluebird. Missouri’s tree is the Flowering Dogwood tree. Missouri even has a rock called the Moarkite and the important mineral is the Galena.

The word Missouri means "Town of large canoes." This is how Missouri got its name. It was named after an Indian tribe. An ancient Indian tribe that lived in Missouri was called Mound Builders.

In 1812, Missouri became a territory. In 1612, LaSalle claimed this land for France. In 1803, the U.S. was able to acquire Missouri during the Louisiana Purchase. In the past, Missouri allowed slavery. Another explorer called Chouteau, he started a town in St. Louis. St. Genevieve is the oldest town in Missouri. Chouteau started a trading post. In August 10,1821, Missouri became the 24^thstate.

Some of the customs they have are a state fair, an apple blossom festival, and a cotton festival. In the summer, people go boating, swimming, and water-skiing. In the winter, people go snowboarding, and sledding.