Mississippi holds an amazing historical past. Although some prospective retirees might find challenges with the warm and humid climate, others will appreciate the many splendors of this deep south state.
Almost 500 years ago, in 1540, Spanish and French explorers both laid claim to the area that was to become Mississippi. Then, in 1682, Robert de La Salle claimed all the land drained by the Mississippi River and its tributaries, later called the Louisiana Territory, for France.
Spain and France built forts and communities along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi river. Massacres at small isolated French and Spanish settlements sparked wars and a long murderous rivalry between Spain, France, and Britain for colonial supremacy.
A newly born United States acquired the Mississippi Territory in 1798. Natchez was the capital. Some fifty years later Mississippi suffered major casualties as a Confederate State in the US Civil War.
Mississippi was admitted to statehood in December 1817. Called the Magnolia State, Mississippi's 48434 square miles make it the 32nd state in size. The capital, Jackson, is the largest city.
Other large cities are Gulfport and Biloxi. Prominent Mississippians: authors Wm C. Faulkner, Richard Wright, and Tennessee Williams; football players Walter Payton and Jerry Rice; entertainment figures Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones, Elvis Presley, and Tammy Wynette. Civil rights leader Medgar Evers was from Mississippi.
With more churches per capita than any other state retirees to Mississippi should easily find a place of worship that suits their needs.
