Missouri is one of the 50 states in the United States. Its capital is Jefferson City. Its largest cities are Kansas City and Saint Louis. Some other cities are Columbia (which is where the University of Missouri is), and Springfield. Missouri officially became a state on August 10, 1821. Mike Kehoe was sworn in as Missouri's 58th Governor on January 13, 2025. Guided by a lifelong dedication to public service and a commitment to Missouri families, Governor Kehoe has made public safety, education, economic development, and agriculture the cornerstones of his administration. Book these experiences for a close-up look at Missouri. These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data —we consider traveler reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location. 1. Sight & Sound Theatres. Rated in the top 10% of listings by travelers like you. From outdoor excursions and family fun to world-class cuisine and live music, Missouri has the activities and destinations you need to make your experience spectacular. Missouri sits near the geographic center of the United States and shares borders with eight states — more than any state except Tennessee, which also borders eight. With over six million residents, it is the 19th-most populous state of the country. The largest urban areas are St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia. The capital is Jefferson City. Humans have inhabited present-day Missouri for at least 12,000 years. The history of Missouri begins with settlement of the region by indigenous people during the Paleo-Indian period beginning in about 12,000 BC. Subsequent periods of native life emerged until the 17th century. New France set up small settlements, and in 1803, Napoleonic France sold the area to the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Missouri is the 18th most populous and the 21st most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. It lies in the Midwestern region of the United States. The state attained statehood on August 10, 1821, becoming the 24th state to join the union. Missouri, the Show Me State, was admitted to the United States in 1821 as part of the Missouri Compromise. Missouri is a constituent state of the U.S. It is bordered by Iowa to the north; Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee to the east; Arkansas to the south; and Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska to the west. The state’s major cities are Kansas City in the west and St. Louis in the east. Its capital is Jefferson City.