Mississippi , one of the Deep South states of the United States. It is bordered by Alabama (E), the Gulf of Mexico (S), Arkansas and Louisiana, with most of the border formed by the Mississippi R. (W), and Tennessee (N). Mississippi is traditionally one of the more rural states in the Union; not until 1965 did manufacturing take over as the leading revenue-producing sector of its economy. In 2000, Mississippi ranked third in the nation in the production of cotton, but soil erosion resulting from overcultivation and the destruction caused by the boll weevil have led to the increased agricultural diversification. The other most important crops are rice and soybeans. Today broiler chicken production, aquaculture (chiefly catfish raising), and dairying are increasingly important. The state's most valuable mineral resources, petroleum and natural gas, have been developed only since the 1930s. In the Pinckney Treaty (1795), Spain accepted lat. 31°N as the northern boundary of its territory but did not evacuate Natchez until the arrival of American troops in 1798. Congress immediately created the Mississippi Territory, with Natchez as the capital and William C. C. Claiborne as the governor. After Georgia's cession (1802) of its Western lands to the United States (see Yazoo land fraud) and the Louisiana Purchase (1803), a land boom swept Mississippi. The high price of cotton and the cheap, fertile land brought settlers thronging in, most of them via the Natchez Trace, from the Southern Piedmont region and even from New England. A few attained great wealth, but most simply managed a living. In 1817 Mississippi became a state, with substantially its present-day boundaries; the eastern section of the Mississippi Territory was organized as Alabama Territory. The aristocratic planter element of the Natchez region initially dominated Mississippi's government, as the state's first constitution (1817) showed. With the spread of Jacksonian democracy, however, the small farmer came into his own, and the new constitution adopted in 1832 was quite liberal for its time.

Lumber is a thriving industry in Mississippi since over half of the state is covered by trees. Cotton continues to play a vital role in the economy. People still prefer to live along the Gulf Coast even though it has been affected in the past by Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Blacks make up a majority of Mississippians and 98% of the white population of Mississippi is native-born. Mississippi ranks as one of the poorest states. Apartment rentals are inexpensive except along the Gulf of Mexico. Casino gambling along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast make Mississippi the second largest gambling state in the Union and is helping revitalize the economy.

Mississippi typifies the Deep South with its stately antebellum mansions, rich farmland, southern hospitality, and long sultry summers. Mississippi musicians invented, promulgated or heavily developed American music traditions of gospel, country, jazz, and rock and roll. If southern hospitality, long summers and mild winters appeal to you then check out the housing or apartment rentals in Mississippi.

Fishing is the most popular outdoor activity. Fishing, swimming, boating, sailing, canoeing or waterskiing are popular attractions due to the many lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs and over 100 miles of coastline. There are also more than 2 million acres of public hunting lands and professional hunting and fishing guides provide access to thousands of acres of private reserves throughout the state. The unspoiled Natchez Trace Parkway and the Black Creek Wilderness Trail meanders through beautiful wilderness areas providing opportunities to observe the natural beauty of the state. From the Gulf coast to the hills of northern Mississippi hundreds of apartment rentals are available.

For those wishing to attend one of the colleges or universities, Mississippi has plenty to offer in apartments. University of Mississippi and Mississippi State are the two most popular choices for students, but there are many fine colleges to choose from in Mississippi.