Origin of State Name : Probably from the Iliniwek Indian word missouri, meaning "owners of big canoes."

Nickname : The Show Me State.

Capital : Jefferson City.

Entered Union : 10 August 1821 (24th).

Song : "Missouri Waltz."

Motto : Salus populi suprema lex esto (The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law).

Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white, and blue, with the coat of arms, encircled by 24 white stars on a blue band, in the center.

Bird : Bluebird.

Insect : Honeybee.

Flower : White Hawthorn blossom.

Tree : Flowering dogwood.

Rock : Mozarkite (chert or flint rock).

Mineral : Galena.

Population : 5,800,310 as on 2005

County : 114 counties

Agriculture : Cattle, soybeans, hogs, dairy products, corn, poultry and eggs.

Industry : Transportation equipment, food processing, chemical products, electric equipment, fabricated metal products.