Here are some fun facts about the Mississippi River
Mississippi River – This body of water claimed worldwide popularity as one of the most famous rivers around the globe and here are the things you should know about it.
In the United States, this is popular for its role in the industrialization. Another notable mention of this river was in American literature, including Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. This body of body has more than just a popular name.
Third-largest river basin in the world
It encompasses more than 1.2 million square miles and goes after the Amazon and Congo River basins, based on the article in Treehugger.
The widest point is more than 11 miles across
The widest point forms Lake Winnibigoshish, near Bena, Minnesota, and the widest point within the Mississippi’s shipping channel is Lake Pepin which is about two miles wide.
The origin of waterskiing
Waterskiing originated in the river’s Lake Winnibigoshish. It was Ralph Samuelson. 18 at that time, was the first to translate snow skiing to water but he did not patent that. It was New York inventor Fred Waller obtained a patent for water skis in 1925, which was three years after Samuelson introduced this.
It is home to 25% of all North American fish species
At least 260 species of fish can be found here.
Serves as the birthplace of saw and flour milling
St. Anthony Falls was also instrumental in the industrialization of Minneapolis. Today, St. Settlers began using the falls as a power source for lumber and flour mills in the 1700s and 1800s.
It flows through ten U.S. States
This long river flows through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. You can enjoy the scenic view when you drive alongside most parts of it.
It takes 3 months for the water to travel the entire river
It releases over 4 million gallons of water into the Gulf of Mexico every second.