Missouri is located in the Midwestern United States and is bordered by eight states: Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. It is the 21st most extensive and 18th most populous of the fifty states. The state has three distinct geographic regions: the Ozarks in the south-central region; the Plains in the north-central region; and the Mississippi River Valley in the southeast. The Ozarks are a rugged area of low mountains that span portions of Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Major rivers include the Mississippi River which forms Missouri’s eastern border with Illinois and Kentucky; as well as its western border with Iowa; and the Missouri River which forms part of its northern border with Iowa and Nebraska. Missouri also has numerous lakes, ponds, reservoirs and wetlands throughout its landscape. The climate of Missouri is characterized by hot summers and cool winters, with moderate rainfall throughout most of the state.
Major Cities
According to COUNTRYAAH, Missouri is home to some of the most vibrant and interesting cities in the U.S. St. Louis, located on the Mississippi river, is one of the largest cities in Missouri and is known for its iconic Gateway Arch. The city has a rich history and culture, with a variety of attractions like the Saint Louis Zoo and City Museum. Kansas City is another major city in Missouri, known for its jazz music and diverse cuisine. In addition to its many restaurants, Kansas City also has a number of museums such as The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and The National World War I Museum and Memorial. Columbia is another city in Missouri known for its lively downtown area full of restaurants, bars, and shops as well as numerous parks like Stephens Lake Park. Springfield is also an important city in Missouri with attractions like Fantastic Caverns and Dickerson Park Zoo that draw visitors from all over the Midwest region.
Primary Schools
Missouri is home to some of the top primary schools in the nation. In the St. Louis area, Ladue School District is known for its high academic standards and excellent facilities. The district has a variety of programs to engage students and help them reach their highest potential. In addition, Ladue has a strong focus on the arts, with an emphasis on music, theater, and visual art classes. In Kansas City, Kansas City Public Schools offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for success in college and beyond. The district also provides advanced placement courses, dual language instruction in Spanish and English, and a variety of extracurricular activities to encourage students’ social-emotional growth. In Springfield, Hillcrest High School offers an array of academic opportunities for students from all backgrounds and abilities. The school has specialized programs such as the International Baccalaureate Program which provides rigorous coursework for motivated learners who wish to pursue higher education beyond high school.
Secondary Schools
Missouri offers a variety of public and private secondary schools to suit the needs of its students. One of the top public secondary schools in Missouri is Ladue Horton Watkins High School, located in St. Louis County. This school offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities, including an award-winning theater program and competitive sports teams. The high school also has an extensive college preparatory curriculum that allows students to be well-prepared for college and beyond. Another prominent public school is Rockwood Summit High School, located in St. Louis County as well. This school has a highly rated science program that offers courses such as chemistry, physics, and astronomy, among others. It also focuses on providing students with opportunities to explore their interests through clubs and activities like robotics, debate team, and yearbook staff.
Higher Education
The top 5 colleges in Missouri are: University of Missouri-Columbia, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, Missouri State University and Webster University. The University of Missouri-Columbia is the largest public university in the state and offers more than 300 degree programs. Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located near the city’s downtown area and has been ranked among the top 10 universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Saint Louis University is another private research university with a main campus located on a hilltop overlooking downtown St. Louis and offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and over 100 graduate degree programs. Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, offering over 100 undergraduate majors along with several graduate programs. Webster University is another private institution located in St. Louis that features several campuses across the world as well as an online program for students who wish to pursue their studies remotely or from different locations around the globe.
