Mississippi River

Mississippi River rises in Lake Itaska, Minnesota, and flowing South for 2800 miles, enters the Gulf of Mexico by a large delta. Its earlier course is through picturesque country, often in gorges, with rapids such as the St. Anthony Falls, the Des Moines and Rock Island Rapids. After receiving the Missouri, 3000 miles long, from the Rocky Mountains, it flows 2½ miles per hour through great alluvial plains, which are protected from its overflows by hundreds of miles of earth embankments, and is joined by the Ohio from the East, the Red and Arkansas Rivers from the West, and many other navigable streams. The Mississippi is navigable by large steamers for 2000 miles. St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, Natchez, and New Orleans are among the chief ports on its banks.

Nearby pages
Mississippi Scheme, Missolonghi, Missouri, Mist, Mists, MIT