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 MISSISSIPPI
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What's New in Mississippi?
For More Information, Contact:
Steve Martin, Public Relations Manager
Mississippi Development Authority, Tourism Division
smartin@mississippi.org, (601) 359-3297
Bordered by the legendary Mississippi River ("Mississippi" comes from several American Indian words meaning "Father of Waters"), this state is full of beauty, history, and tradition, letting visitors relive the grandeur of the Old South. It also boasts a highway more than 8,000 years old – the Natchez Trace Parkway. Mississippi has a long literary tradition; the town of Oxford was home to writer William Faulkner and suspense novelist John Grisham. Award-winning authors Richard Wright and Eudora Welty also used Mississippi as the basis for their work, and playwrightTennessee Williams and puppet master Jim Henson honed their creativity in the state.
History
Hernando deSoto first discovered the Mississippi River in the 16th century but the state was not colonized until 1699 by the French. Mississippi joined the United States in 1817. The state joined the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.
Significant Attractions
- Vicksburg National Military Park
- Natchez Trace Parkway
- historic houses and district in Natchez
- Birthplace of Elvis Presley (Tupelo)
- resorts and hotels on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
- Gulf Islands National Seashore
- golf; casinos (statewide)
- Delta Blues Museum (Clarksdale)
- Rowan Oak, home of William Faulkner (Oxford)
- Agriculture and Forestry Museum (Jackson)
- Mississippi Crafts Center (Ridgeland)
- Great River Road (Highway 61)
- BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center-Opens September 2008 (Indianola, MS)
Climate
Mississippi's moderate climate encourages outdoor activities year 'round. The state experiences four distinct seasons, but temperatures are mild all year.
How to Get There
There are no non-stop international flights into Mississippi. The closest international airport is at Memphis, Tennessee. Domestic airports include: Jackson, Meridian and Gulfport/Biloxi.
Distances and Times
- Mississippi is in the country's Central Time Zone
- The South observes Daylight Savings Time from late April through October
- Greyhound and Trailways bus lines and AMTRAK rail lines offer stops throughout Mississippi
- Jackson is 399 miles (646 kilometers and 7 hours by car) from Atlanta, Georgia
- 245 miles (397 kilometers and 4 hours by car) from Birmingham, Alabama
- 180 miles (292 kilometers and 3 hours by car) from New Orleans, Louisiana
- 212 miles (343 kilometers and 3 1/2 hours by car) from Memphis, Tennessee
- 185 miles (300 kilometers and 3 hours by car) from Mobile, Alabama
For additional travel information, call 1-800-WARMEST (927-6378) (while in the United States) or 1-601-359-3297 (outside the United States), fax 1-601-359-5757. Internet site: http://www.visitmississippi.org/
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