Missouri , one of the midwestern states of the United States. It is bordered by Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee, across the Mississippi R. (E), Arkansas (S), Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska (W), and Iowa (N). Missouri's economy rests chiefly on industry. Aerospace and transportation equipment are the main manufactures; food products, chemicals, printing and publishing, machinery, fabricated metals, and electrical equipment are also important. St. Louis is an important center for the manufacture of metals and chemicals. In Kansas City, long a leading market for livestock and wheat, the manufacture of vending machines and of cars and trucks are leading industries. Coal in the west and north central sections, lead in the southeast, and zinc in the southwest are among the resources exploited by Missouri's mining concerns. Lead (Missouri has been the top U.S. producer), cement, and stone are the chief minerals produced. Missouri remains important agriculturally; with over 100,000 farms, the state ranks second only to Texas. The most valuable farm products are soybeans, corn, cattle, hogs, wheat, and dairy items. The development of resorts in the Ozarks, including Branson and several lakes, has boosted tourism income. The U.S. Territory of Missouri was set up in 1812, but settlement was slow even after the War of 1812. The coming of the steamboat increased traffic and trade on the Mississippi, and settlement progressed. Planters from the South had introduced slavery into the territory, but their plantations were restricted to a small area. However, the question of admitting the Missouri Territory as a state became a burning national issue because it involved the question of extending slavery into the territories. The dispute was resolved by the Missouri Compromise, which admitted (1821) Missouri to the Union as a slave state but excluded slavery from lands of the Louisiana Purchase north of lat. 36°30'N. (All of Missouri lies north of 36°30' except for the southeastern “bootheel.”)

Major industries in the state include automobile manufacturing and auto parts, beer, and defense and aerospace technology. Cotton and rice production are prominent in the southeastern part of the state due to the fertile land. The service industry leads in the number of jobs provided. The Ozark regions have large springs of clear flowing water which have been a valuable source of drinking water. The cost of living makes moving to Missouri easy so check out Missouri apartments to rent.

Missouri is the meeting place of the timberlands of the East, the prairies of the West, the cotton fields of the South, and the cornfields of the North. The borders of Missouri touch eight other states. From small communities to large metropolitan areas Missouri continues to have many folk traditions. Missouri played an important role in westward expansion and was known as the Gateway to the West. Residents of the large metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Columbia and Kansas City consider themselves Midwestern. The rural areas and cities farther south consider themselves more Southern. For those wanting to call Missouri home can choose from a wide range of apartments to rent.

Missouri has many wonderful caves, springs, natural bridges, canyons and sink holes. People enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozarks. To enjoy the life and beauty of Missouri check out the apartments for rent in the state. First-class entertainment can be found in Branson. Sports enthusiasts enjoy the professional teams of St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals.

The University of Missouri has campuses in four cities. There are numerous junior colleges, trade schools, church universities and private universities in the state. The top 3% of Missouri High School graduates who attend a state university receive from the state a $2000 renewable merit-based scholarship. College towns in Missouri provide affordable apartments to rent.