Missouri

Missouri is known as the "Show Me State"--meaning one should back up talk with proof. The slogan is not an official one, but it does appear on the license plates. It is an endearing statement that people from Missouri say, "I'm from Missouri, you have to Show Me!"

Missouri typically is categorized as both a midwestern and a southern state. The region was split on Union and Confederate issues during the Civil War. A small region of the state is called Little Dixie for the influx of southerners that settled there. Famed explorers Lewis and Clark mounted an expedition that led them to discover a large part of the Midwest and upper Western states. Their home base was Missouri. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is one of the tallest historic sites in the United States and thousands of tourists flock to snap photos of this, “Gateway to the West," every year. Visitors can also ride to the top of the Arch for a more expansive view. One of the state's geographic features is where the famed Mississippi River meets the Missouri River. The state is also the only one of two in the nation that actually touches the borders of eight other states. Tennessee is the other.

The Missouri horse industry produces goods and services valued at $718 million. The national industry has a $1.3 billion impact on the Missouri economy when the multiplier effect of spending by industry suppliers and employees is taken into account. 125,100 Missourians are involved in the industry as horse owners, service providers, employees, and volunteers. Even more participate as spectators. The Missouri horse industry directly provides 42,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. Spending by suppliers and employees (in Missouri and other states) generates additional jobs in Missouri for a total employment impact of 56,000. There are 281,000 horses in Missouri, over 70 percent of which are involved in showing and recreation.

Missouri in Numbers:

Horse Population : Approximately 140,000 Total Economic Impact: $ -- billion Capital : Jefferson City Population : 5,800,310 Land area : 68,886 sq. miles Counties:  114 Highest Point : Taum Sauk Mountain 1,772 feet Lowest Point : Saint Francis river: 230 feet 10 largest Cities:   Kansas City: 444,965 St. Louis: 344,362 Springfield: 150,298 Independence: 110,208 Columbia: 91,814 Lee\'s Summit: 80,338 St. Joseph: 72,661 O\'Fallon: 69,694 St. Charles: 62,304 St. Peter\'s: 54,209