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The Mississippi is the longest river in North America. |
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The Mississippi River winds its way 2,552 miles as it travels from the headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. |
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The Mississippi passes through ten states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. |
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The Mississippi--Missouri River system is the world’s fourth longest. Only the Nile, Amazon and Yangtze Rivers are longer. |
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The Mississippi River drains approximately 40% of the continental United States-all or part of 31 states, and two Canadian provinces, Ontario and Manitoba. |
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The total drainage area of the Mississippi River is approximately 1.25 million square miles. |
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The Mississippi releases 2.3 million cubic feet of water per second into the Gulf of Mexico and more than 400-million cubic yards of mud, sand and gravel each year. |
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The Mississippi River provides transport for more than 472-million tons of cargo each year, including 46% of the grain exported from the United States. |
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More than 12 million people live in the 125 counties and parishes that border the Mississippi River. |
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The Mississippi River valley generates over $7 billion in agricultural and forest products and $29 million in manufacturing goods each year. |
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The Mississippi is a major flyway for migratory birds. It is used by up to 40% of North America’s duck, goose, swan and eagle populations. |
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Waterfowl hunting in the flyway is valued at $58 million per year and sport fishing is valued at over $100 million annually. |
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The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge reports 3.5 million visits a year. That’s more than the number of visits to Yellowstone National Park. |
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International visitors spend an estimated $2.6 billion each year throughout the ten river states, generating more than 53,000 jobs. |
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A system of 29 locks and dams control navigation on the Upper Mississippi between Minneapolis, Minnesota and St. Louis, Missouri. |
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The river begins 1,475 feet above sea level. |
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The Mississippi River is a water source for over 4 million people. |
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| Source: Mississippi River Parkway Commission |
