Key Facts
- Per Capita Real GDP
- $32,590 Rank: 40/50 (2007)
- Population
- 5,911,610 Rank: 18/50 (2008)
- Per Capita Personal Income
- $32,705 Rank: 31/50 (2006)
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.50% Rank: 39/50 (2008)
- Business Tax Climate Index
- Rank: 15/50 (2008)
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Missouri: Introduction
Missouri lies in the Midwestern region of the United States with borders touching eight different states. It was the 24th state admitted into the union in 1821 and at that time recognized as the nation’s western frontier. As western expansion progressed, Missouri became known as the “Gateway to the West” because of the great overland routes that led to California and Oregon. This “gateway” concept was symbolized by the building of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which is the tallest national monument in the United States.
Missouri’s central location allows it to be a major transportation crossroad. The state’s two largest cities, St. Louis and Kansas City are the two main transportation hubs. St. Louis has the nation’s largest inland riverport and resides on the intersection of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Missouri continues to play its historic role as a link between the East and West through the five national interstate highways that now crisscross the state.
Missouri’s economy relies primarily on industry. It is a leading manufacturing state in the Midwest, and leading agricultural state in the country. The main manufactures are aerospace and transportation equipment. In addition, machinery, chemicals, printing and publishing, food products, and electrical equipment are important. Exports from the state have more than doubled in the past five years, with Canada and South Korea as the top two export markets.
