Missouri is a state located in the Midwestern United States. It is bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. The state capital is Jefferson City and its largest city is Kansas City.
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Missouri is known for its diverse landscape, including the Ozarks and the Mississippi River. It is also known for its role in American history, including as the “Gateway to the West” during the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century.
Why is Kansas City in Missouri?
Kansas City, Missouri is located in the state of Missouri because it was founded as a riverport on the Missouri River in the early 19th century.
The city’s location at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers made it an ideal spot for trade and transportation, and it quickly grew into an important commercial center. The city was officially incorporated in 1853 and was named for the Kansas River, which flows into the Missouri River at that point.
The city also has a Kansas City, Kansas across the river but they are separate cities with separate governments.
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Things people don’t know about Kansas City in Missouri
- Kansas City is known for its BBQ, but did you know that it has more BBQ restaurants per capita than any other city in the US?
- Kansas City is home to the largest rail center in North America, with over 32 miles of track.
- The city has a rich jazz history, with famous jazz musicians such as Charlie Parker and Count Basie having played in Kansas City’s jazz clubs.
- Kansas City has more fountains than any city in the world, except for Rome.
- The city has a unique hybrid of cultures, with a strong Mexican-American and African-American presence. This is reflected in the city’s food, art, and music scenes.
- Kansas City is home to the American Royal, one of the largest and oldest livestock and horse shows in the United States.
- The city is a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, with a thriving startup scene and resources such as Google Fiber and the Kauffman Foundation.
- The city’s Union Station is not only a transportation hub, but also a popular tourist destination, with a science center, planetarium, and a large-scale model train exhibit.
