State Profiles MINNESOTA The North Star State
State Information: Explore Minnesota Tourism • 001 651 296 5029 •
www.exploreminnesota.com • Population: 5.2million • State Capital: Saint Paul • Largest City: Minneapolis • Local Time: CST – 6 hours behind the UK • Weather: Four distinct seasons • National/ State Parks: 74 • Int'l Gateway: Minneapolis-Saint Paul Int'l (MSP)
D
akota Indians called their pristine birthplace Mnisota Makace –
‘water that reflects the sky’ – in recognition of more than 10,000 inland lakes dotted across the state’s vast expanse. It is the northernmost in the continental US, most of its citizens live in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, a cultural mecca and home to the Mall of America and the annual state fair, which delights in serving all manner of food on a stick. At 411 miles long and 357 miles wide, Minnesota actually has more shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined. It is believed by some that Vikings explored the land long before European settlement and you can even cross the mighty Mississippi River at its source in Itasca State Park in just a few short strides! Rugged outdoor adventure, sophisticated arts and dining will draw you in as Minnesota is all about the spirit of adventure.
Riverboat cruising on the mighty Mississippi MISSOURI The Show Me State
State Information: Missouri Division of Tourism • 08456 020 574 •
www.visitMO.co.uk • Population: 6,010,688 • State Capital: Jefferson City • Largest City: Kansas City • Local Time: CST - 6 hrs behind UK •Weather: Warm summers, snowy winters and mild springs and autumns. Temperatures range from below 0°C in winter to over 32°C in summer. Moderate rainfall year-round • National/State Parks: 58 • International Gateways: St. Louis and Kansas City
M
issouri is at the heart of Real America, partly because of its
location but mainly because it offers so much history, culture and warmth. The state is home to Mark Twain, outlaw Jesse James, the iconic Route 66, glittering cities and lots of quaint small towns. Music fans will revel in Missouri’s
STATE SECRET: Minnesota has three of the world’s most-renowned wildlife centres – the International Wolf Centre, the North American Bear Centre in Ely and the National Eagle Centre in Wabasha.
DON'T MISS: Minnesota’s famous treat is wild rice – a deliciously-earthy, water- grass seed and staple of the native Dakota and Ojibwe Indians.
offerings. Branson, Missouri is dubbed the 'Live Music Show Capital of the World', with more than 100 live performances per day. Visitors can enjoy cool jazz or hot blues in clubs ranging from sleek to funky or immerse themselves in one of Missouri’s many music festivals. No visit to Missouri would be
complete without a trip to the top of the St. Louis Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the United States. While in St. Louis 'Get your kicks on Route 66' at a number of sites related to the Mother Road.
The Pony Express is a reminder of days gone by
STATE SECRET: Prior to Prohibition (1920), Missouri was the nation's second- largest wine producer. Today, the wine industry is enjoying new growth, with more than 100 wineries.
DON'T MISS: Missouri offers a variety of water activities including boating, fishing, waterskiing and canoeing. In fact, The Lake of the Ozarks has more kilometres of shoreline (1,850+) than the coast of California.
MISSISSIPPI The Magnolia State
State Information: Mississippi Tourism • 01462 440787 •
www.deep-south-usa.com/mississippi or
www.visitmississippi.org • Population: 2,910,540 • State Capital/Largest City: Jackson • Local Time: – 6hrs behind the UK • Weather: Long, hot, humid summers and short mild winters. Moderate rainfall throughout the year • National/State Parks; 5 • International Gateways: Memphis, Tennessee & New Orleans, Louisiana
M
ississippi is the birthplace of America's music, home of literary
and artistic legends; the cradle of the civil rights movement, battleground of the civil war, land of catfish and tamales. Experience the birthplaces, backgrounds and settings that have inspired the many characters, places and events brought to life by the wealth of Mississippi authors, playwrights and poets who have enthralled us for generations. From William Faulkner’s home in Oxford to Tupelo and Indianola, the birthplaces of America’s two 'Kings' – Elvis Presley and B.B. King – your True South is our history and heritage. Savour the true delicacies of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, meet the true originals of the deep Delta and master your true game on one of our more than 100 world-class golf courses. There is true grandeur and true simplicity. This is Mississippi. Find Your True South
Natchez on the Mississippi River 40
MONTANA The Big Sky State
State Information: Montana Office of Tourism • 01825 76 36 36 •
www.visitmt.com,
www.RMI-RealAmerica.com • Population: 1 million • State Capital: Helena • Largest City: Billings • Local Time: MST – 7 hrs behind UK • Weather: Warm, dry summer with cool evenings • National/State Parks: 6 • International Gateways: Minneapolis/St Paul/Bloomington, Denver, Seattle and Salt Lake City
B
egin with two of the world's greatest treasures, the
STATE SECRET: William Faulkner’s hometown of Oxford is a perfect balance of history and hip surrounding its quaint town square. Indulge in sophisticated shopping and award- winning restaurants and live music.
DON'T MISS: The Mississippi Blues Trail iPhone app puts the history of the Mississippi Blues in your hand! It features an interactive timeline, complete map, and itinerary builder.
unparalleled scenic splendour of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park where primal geothermal forces gush out of the earth while bison graze. Next, fill the wide-open spaces between the parks with wilderness refuges, rodeos and festivals, soaring Rocky Mountains, vast prairies, rivers and lakes, art galleries, agricultural communities and modern cities, museums, elegant resorts and ranches, and wildlife. Activities abound throughout the
state including white-water rafting or river floating, downhill skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing, hiking, horse riding or mountain or road- biking and world class fishing. All year round, the state of Montana’s
welcoming communities serve as gateways to days of adventure as well as evenings of relaxation.
Dusk settles over the Big Sky State
www.visitusa.org.uk
STATE SECRET: The windows and boardwalks of Virginia City and Nevada City invite you to peer into the fascinating past of these authentically restored gold rush towns.
DON'T MISS: Glacier National Park, the 'Crown of the North American Continent', a place of natural beauty with a spectacular mix of wildlife, wilderness, lakes and pine forests.
©PICTURE CREDIT
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68