| Capital City: |
Jefferson City |
|
| Nickname: |
Show Me State |
| Motto: |
Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto (The Welfare of the People Shall Be the Supreme Law) |
| Statehood: |
August 10, 1821 (24th) |
| Origin of State's Name: |
Named after Algonquin Indian term meaning "river of the big canoes." |
| Largest Cities: |
Kansas City, Saint Louis, Springfield, Independence, Columbia |
| Border States: |
Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee |
| Land Area: |
68,898 sq. mi., 18th largest |
| State Bird: |
Bluebird |
| State Flower: |
Hawthorn (crataegus) |
| State Tree: |
American Dogwood (cornus florida) |
