The Ozark Mountains aren't the most notable or the most spectacular in the United States, but they have one of the most unique atmospheres in the country. Home to many picturesque views and a spectacular combination of wildlife, the Ozark Mountains attract thousands of visitors every season. The climate is warm year-round, as Missouri is a southern state, with much of its climate attributed to a typically warm and wet environment.
The Ozarks sits along southern Missouri and is nestled between the Rockies and the Appalachian mountains. Missourians, visitors, and tourists alike love to travel to the Ozarks for the many activities it has to offer. This includes swimming, canoeing, camping, golfing, kayaking and fishing. Hikers regularly bring their instruments and cameras to capture shots of the birds, insects, and various fauna that can be found in the countryside.
Near the Ozark Mountains, southern Missouri prides itself on Lake of the Ozarks State Park, which is a well-known vacation destination throughout the year. Waterfalls, rivers, valleys, forests, and deep caves attract many adventure-seekers to this destination.
Missouri is home to the Great Plains, where grasses can grow up to nearly 6 in height. As this is a wide-open landscape, most geographical locations that contain a prairie-like ecosystem do not receive much precipitation. Because of the abundance of lakes and being near some states with a marshland environment, the plains in Missouri receive the heaviest rainfall when compared to other similar regions. The porous rock and the frequent rainfall are the root cause of the grasses being so long and prosperous, making for a remarkable sight.
Native Americans would use the grass of this region for many different things, including weaving strong baskets and blankets and creating textiles for clothing and equipment. The grass can also be used to bind tools together and even build makeshift dwellings. The Great Plains are so voluptuous that they span across Indiana, Oklahoma, and both North and South Dakota.
The state capital of Jefferson was so named after Thomas Jefferson, who was the third President of the United States. It is a relatively small town of just over 40,000 residents, it pales in comparison to the near half-million that is found in the largest city in Missouri, Kansas City. The Jefferson City Capitol Building sits atop the hill that Lewis and Clark passed, which was long before the city of Jefferson was named and fully established.
It is home to Lincoln University, which was founded in 1866. This is one of the state's landmarks, as this has been a historically black and African-American-centered educational facility. The university is extremely notable for its ability to divide political views during the Civil War.
This is a sentiment still seen today, as Missouri continues to be considered a very crucial "Purple State". The combination of cultures in the area has made Missouri a historical and modern battlefield, one that is fought both with weapons and with promises.