Missouri is a state of the United States located in the Midwestern portion of the country. It borders Iowa to the north, Arkansas to the south, Illinois and Kentucky to the east, and Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma to the west. The capital of Missouri is Jefferson City.
Originally part of the Louisiana Purchase, Missouri became a state in 1821 after the Missouri Compromise, which also created the state of Maine. During the American Civil War, Missouri was a border state which was often raided by Confederate forces. A rival, pro-secessionist government also existed during the Civil War. Later, the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City grew in importance.
Today, Missouri is a cultural power within the United States. Although it was originally a Southern state, Missouri is now a mixture between Southern and Midwestern culture. The state’s relaxed drinking laws make it the hub for beer. It is also home to the headquarters of Anheuser-Busch, the largest beer producer in the world. It is also home to Missouri Wine, which is produced in the Missouri Rhineland.