MISSISSIPPI, one of the United States of North America.
Situation and .Extent.—Having the Mississippi and Pearl rivers on the west ; the 35th degree of N. Lat. or the state of Tennessee, north ; the state of Alabama on the east ; and the Gulf of Mexico, and N. Lat. 31°, or Loui siana, on the south. The outlines of this state are : Miles.
From the mouth of Pearl river along the Gulf of Mexico, to the south-west angle of Alabama, . 80 Along the western boundary of Alabama, to the north-west angle of that state, on the southern boundary of Tennessee, . . 320 Thence west along the southern boundary of Ten nessee, to the south-west angle of that state on the left bank of the Mississippi river, . 90 Thence clown that stream to N. Lat. 31°, . . 530 Thence clue east along N. Lat. 31°, and the state of Louisiana, to the right bank of Pearl river, . 105 Thence down Pearl river, to the place of beginning, 60 Having an entire outline of . 1185 Area 45,760 square miles, equal to 29,286,400 acres. Extreme south, N. Lat. 30° 8'; extreme north, N. Lat. 35°. Length from south to north, 338 miles ; medium width, about 135 miles.
The remarkable resemblance in form and geographi cal position, between the states of Alabama and Missis sippi, is obvious on a first glance on their connected maps. In addition to every other point of similitude, both have a prolongation towards the Gulf of Mexico, below N. Lat. 31°, of nearly equal area and extent on that Gulf.
Features, Soil, Climate, and Productions.—Of the rivers of the state of Mississippi, that stream from which the name of the state is derived, claims the first rank.
The Mississippi washes the state from N. Lat. 31° to 35°, a distance, following the stream, of 530 miles. The features of the Mississippi have been so amply noticed under the preceding head, that no farther notice res pecting it is necessary in this place.
Next in magnitude and importance amongst the rivers of this state, is the Pearl. This stream rises in the state, about N. Lat. 33°, and flowing in a general course nearly
south, flows into the Rigolets between Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain, at N. Lat. 30° 10', after an entire compa rative course of about 200 miles. From N. Lat. 31° to the mouth of the Pearl, forms part of the boundary be tween the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.
The Pascagoula rises in the state of Mississippi, about N. Lat. 32° 40', flows in a southern course to N. Lat. 30° 20', falls into the Gulf of Mexico after a com parative course of about 150 miles. The main branch of Pascagoula is known by the name of Chickisawhay, as far down as five miles south of N. Lat. 31°, where it forms a junction with the north-west branch, the Leaf river, and from thence to the final discharge takes the name of Pascagoula.
Some streams, but of small note, enter the bay of St. Louis between the Pearl and Pascagoula rivers.
The sources of the Amite, Tickfoha, Tangipao, and Boguc Chito rivers, are in the state of Mississippi.
Flowing into the Mississippi, are thc 13uffaloe, Momo chitto, Big Black, and Yazoo rivers. Of these latter streams, in point of magnitude, the first lank is due to the latter. This river has its source near the southern boundary of Tennessee, interlocking with the head wa• ters of Tombigbee. The Yazoo enters the Mississippi at N. Lat. 32° 30', after a comparative course of about 200 miles.
Big Black rises about N. Lat. 33°, between the sources of the Pearl and the Yazoo, flows south-west 150 miles, and lalls into the 'Mississippi at the Grand Gulf, N Lat. 32° 5'.
Between the Big Black and Homochitto, the Missis sippi river receives the water of Bayou Pierre,Coles ct eek, and St. Catherine creek ; these creeks arc compara tively small, but important from their position, and the excellence of the land they drain. The city of Natchez, though so near the bank of the Mississippi, is situated on a branch of St. Catherine creek, which has its dis charge 15 miles below.