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Have you ever wondered what Kansas is like? Well, now you can find out! This blog will tell you all about what this Midwestern state has to offer, from its rich history to its beautiful landscapes. So come on in and take a look around – you might just be surprised at what you find!
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Geography
Kansas is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka and its largest city is Wichita, with its most populated county being Johnson County. Kansas is bordered by Nebraska on the north, Missouri on the east, Oklahoma on the south, and Colorado on the west.
Climate
Kansas has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Most of the state experiences a humid continental climate, except for the far western part of the state, which experiences a semi-arid climate. The eastern part of the state generally experiences more extreme conditions than the western part.
The state’s average annual temperature is about 55°F (13°C), with July averaging about 86°F (30°C) and January averaging about 24°F (−4°C). Temperatures in Kansas sometimes exceed 110°F (43°C). Winters can be harsh, with temperatures dipping below 0°F (−18°C) not uncommon. Kansas is subject to both tornadoes and hailstorms; it is one of only three states that experiences both at the same time (the other two being Oklahoma and Nebraska).
Topography
The land in Kansas is very flat. This is because most of Kansas was once covered by a huge inland sea. As the sea dried up, it left behind a layer of soft rock. Over time, the soft rock was worn away by wind and rain, leaving the land very flat.
In some parts of Kansas, you can find hills and even mountains. These were formed when rocks were squeezed up from deep inside the earth. The rocks that were pushed up were much harder than the rocks that had been worn away by wind and rain, so they resisted being eroded. The highest point in Kansas is Mount Sunflower, which is 4,041 feet (1,235 meters) above sea level.
History
Kansas was first settled by Native Americans who resided in this area for centuries. In the early 1800s, American settlers began moving into the area and establishing farms and ranches. Kansas became a state in 1861 and was one of the major battlegrounds during the Civil War. The state has a rich history and is home to many historical landmarks.
Early history
The first people known to have inhabited present-day Kansas were the Wichita and the Kansa, who both arrived in the area in the 1600s. The Wichita settled in the southern part of the state, near present-day Wichita, while the Kansa made their home in the northeast, in an area that includes present-day Kansas City.
In 1803, most of present-day Kansas was acquired by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The Lewis and Clark expedition passed through Kansas in 1804, and in 1806, Zebulon Pike explored the area that would become Kansas City.
Settlement of Kansas began in earnest in the 1850s, with a large influx of settlers from neighboring Missouri. This increase in population led to tension between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, which came to a head when Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state in 1861. This tension continued throughout the Civil War, during which time Kansas was one of the main battlegrounds between Confederate and Union forces.
Kansas Territory
In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 it became a state. The state of Kansas is situated in the Midwestern region of the US and shares its borders with Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma and Missouri. With an area of over 200,000 square kilometers, it is the 15th largest state in terms of area. The capital city of Topeka and the largest city Wichita are located in Kansas.
The landscape of Kansas is diverse and includes prairies, badlands, forests and rivers. The state has been divided into three physiographic regions – the Dissected Till Plains in the east, the Red Hills to the south and the Great Plains in the west.
Kansas is known as the “Sunflower State” because of its abundance of sunflowers which bloom in July and August. The official state animal is the bison and state bird is the western meadowlark.
Civil War
The American Civil War was fought from 1861-1865. It began as a conflict over slavery and states’ rights, but quickly developed into a bitter and bloody war. The Civil War was the bloodiest war in American history, with over 620,000 soldiers killed.
The Union (Northern) army eventually emerged victorious, and in 1865 the Union was re-established as a single country. Reconstruction followed in the South, with the aim of extending civil rights to African Americans.
Post-Civil War
The passage of the Homestead Act in 1862 lure many settlers to Kansas to claim 160 acres of land that they could farm. African Americans were also eager to get free land and start their own farms. When the Civil War ended in 1865, many African Americans remained in Kansas and became successful farmers.
The Kansas Pacific Railway was completed in 1869, making transportation and trade easier for settlers. The Santa Fe Railway completed a line through Kansas in 1873. These railroads helped move people and goods across the state and country, which further encouraged settlement.
As more people moved to Kansas, towns began to pop up all over the state. Many of these towns were located near railroad tracks since that was how most people and goods traveled. Land speculators would buy large tracts of land near the railroad tracks and then sell smaller parcels of land to settlers who wanted to start businesses or build homes.
People and Culture
Kansas is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka and its largest city is Wichita, with its most populated county being Johnson County. Kansas is bordered by Nebraska on the north, Missouri on the east, Oklahoma on the south, and Colorado on the west. Originally a part of the Louisiana Purchase, Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state on January 29, 1861.
Demographics
As of 2019, the estimated population of Kansas was 2,913,314. The majority of the population is white (80.1%), followed by Black or African American (5.7%), Hispanic or Latino (12.8%), and Asian (5%). The median age in Kansas is 37 years old.
The five largest cities in Kansas are Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka, and Olathe. Wichita is the largest city with a population of 382,368 people.
Religion
The majority of the population in Kansas (60 percent) are Christians. The state is home to many religious denominations including Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches. There are also a significant number of Mormons and Jews living in Kansas.
Arts and Entertainment
Kansas is a Midwestern state that is known for its picturesque farmland and friendly people. The Jayhawk State has something for everyone, from lively city centers to small towns with down-home charm.
Arts and Entertainment: Kansas is home to some of the best art museums in the country, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Wichita Art Museum. The state also boasts a thriving music scene, with world-renowned jazz clubs in Kansas City and country music venues in Wichita. For theater lovers, Kansas City is home to the world-famous Lyric Opera and numerous smaller playhouses, while Wichita has a vibrant theater community with yearly performances of Shakespeare in the Park.
Economy
The cost of living in Kansas is relatively low when compared to other states in the US. The median household income is $56,422, and the median home value is $144,500. The state’s unemployment rate is 4.3%.
Agriculture
Kansas is often thought of as an agricultural state, and with good reason. Agriculture is the state’s largest industry, with nearly 60 percent of the land used for farming. Kansas is one of the nation’s leading producers of wheat, corn, soybeans, and sorghum. The state is also a major producer of cattle, hogs, and sheep. Kansas farmers grow more than half of the world’s supply of wheat used in pasta.
Manufacturing
Kansas is a major manufacturing state. More than 200,000 workers are employed in the manufacturing sector, accounting for more than 15 percent of the state’s workforce.
The state’s leading manufactured products include aircraft, vehicles, food, machinery, and electrical equipment. Kansas is home to major manufacturing plants for Boeing, Cessna, Beechcraft, Learjet, Spirit Aerosystems, Hawker Beechcraft, John Deere, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and does extensive farming and ranching.
Tourism
Kansas is home to two National Parks, 20 state parks, and several man-made lakes. The state’s attractions include the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library. Other points of interest are the Flint Hills, which are home to some of the last remaining tallgrass prairie in North America, and theKansas State Capitol in Topeka.
