Mississippi River

Table of Contents

Introduction & Top Questions
Physical features
- Physiography
- Climate
- Hydrology
- Plant and animal life
- Cultural life
  - Literary life on the Mississippi
  - River of song: music
History and economy
- Early settlement and exploration
- Development of the river’s commerce
- Modern commercial activity
- Flood control

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

Mississippi River basin and its drainage network

Mississippi River

confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers

Big Black River

Mississippi River barge

Arkansas City, Arkansas

Mississippi River flood of 1927: Mounds Landing, Mississippi

Mississippi and Atlantic flyways

Mississippi River: aquaculture

For Students

Mississippi River: barge

Mississippi River summary

Read Next

Close up of a hand placing a ballot in a ballot box. Election vote voter voting

Have Any U.S. Presidents Decided Not to Run For a Second Term?

Washington, D.C. locator map.

What State Is Washington, D.C. In?

The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.

14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered

Hurricane Katrina infographic. Path of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Includes information on casualties, damage, and the flooded parts of NOLA. tropical cyclone, storm

When Katrina Struck

Bar graph of the United States Death Toll during major events. Infogram chart.

U.S. Death Toll During Major Events

Discover

Statue of Nostradamus

Nostradamus and His Prophecies

Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

Candles Burning On Table In Church

What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?

NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting.

10 Great Sports Rivalries

Space race (1957-1969) infographic between United States (U.S.) and Russia. America, Soviet Union, U.S.S.R., space exploration

Timeline of the Space Race, 1957–69

Agnes with a lamb near her feet. St. Agnes (Saint Agnes) design drawing for stained glass window by J&R Lamb Studios, ink, mount size 10.5 x 14.5 in.

Roman Catholic Saints

July, 2006, Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-121. See attached for full caption information.

Will Light-Speed Space Travel Ever Be Possible?

Mississippi River: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Major break leads to charges in "Baby Angel" cold case in Minnesota | Full news conference • Apr. 25, 2025, 4:52 AM ET (CBS)

Break in "Baby Angel" case near Winona as woman arrested, charged • Apr. 25, 2025, 4:50 AM ET (CBS)

This river is considered the most endangered in USA • Apr. 23, 2025, 4:50 AM ET (CBS)

Is the Mississippi River endangered? New ranking says iconic river at risk. • Apr. 17, 2025, 12:26 AM ET (USA Today)

Mississippi River, Tijuana River top endangered rivers list by conservation group • Apr. 16, 2025, 7:57 AM ET (CBS)

Photos and Videos

Mississippi River basin and its drainage network

Mississippi River

confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers

Big Black River

Mississippi River barge

Arkansas City, Arkansas

Mississippi River flood of 1927: Mounds Landing, Mississippi

Mississippi and Atlantic flyways

Mississippi River: aquaculture

Behold a barge-carrying ship transporting a load down the Mississippi River

Tour the U.S. Southeast region and learn about its warm climate, landforms, and water features

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Cuyahoga River Missouri River Colorado River Columbia River Rio Grande Hudson River Chicago River Ohio River Potomac River St. Lawrence River

Quiz

Tower Bridge over the Thames River in London, England. Opened in 1894. Remains an Important Traffic Route with 40,000 Crossings Every Day.

Guess the City by Its River Quiz

water glass on white background. (drink; clear; clean water; liquid)

Water and its Varying Forms