Missouri is located in the center of the United States, with its western border created by the Mississippi River. Many people who are raised in Missouri remain there for the duration of their life, creating a sense of family among its residents. If asked though, most are unsure if their home state is considered a southern state or a midwestern state, creating a culture that contains elements of both.

Missouri was established as a state in the Union in 1820 at the same time as Maine. The United States Congress was trying to keep the number of slave vs free states the same, so when Maine became a free state the leaders compromised and another slave state was established as well. This was called the Missouri Compromise. Missouri has a rich history, from explorers to religious persecution and wars, from transportation hubs to world champion sports teams. There are so many stories that reside close to the heart of Missourians. Even the rivalry between the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas dates back to the early 1800's.

If a Missouri resident is asked about the weather there, they will mostly likely scoff and explain all the reasons that it is less than ideal. Their first comment will probably mention something about the humidity and how it lasts all year long, rendering the summers and winters especially miserable. They would advise wearing layers during the winter and as little as possible during the summers. The spring air is full of pollen and there are many thunderstorms. Much of southern Missouri is in what's called Tornado Alley so many of the storms come with tornado warnings as well. The autumn days tend to fluctuate from mild temperatures and light breezes to hot and muggy nights that are full of mosquitoes.

Missouri's nickname is the "Show Me State" but it's not known for its tourism, to most it is either unknown or known for its sports teams, BBQ, or the Saint Louis Arch.

Many of the state's visitors are sports fans. Since 2010 four of Missouri's professional sports teams have been national champions in their sports. In 2011 the St. Louis Cardinals won their eleventh World Series, in 2015 the Kansas City Royals won their second World Series, in 2019 the St. Louis Blues won their first Stanley Cup, and in 2020 the Kansas City Chiefs won their second Super Bowl. A Missourian would say it's been a good decade for sports in their beloved state.

Missouri attracts more than sports fans though, with its many historical ties there are many people who visit for the museums and historical sites. The World War One National Monument and Museum is located in the heart of Kansas City with its poppy flower memorial and view of downtown, it's a popular stop for history lovers. In southern Missouri is the home of early twentieth century author Laura Ingalls Wilder, and in the north eastern corner is the home of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" writer Mark Twain. With his most famous book being based on his childhood hometown, Hannibal, Missouri has been said to feel like stepping into the pages of the beloved book.

Between the cities and sites a visitor will find a rural landscape full of farm ground and pastures. Many of the families that reside in the state have ties that go back several generations. They feel a deep love and connection to the land and many choose to spend their lives there, even after high school when leaving is an option… encouraged even, in some cases. In these rural areas, after long weeks of work, Saturday nights are spent in country dance clubs, similar to the ones portrayed in pop-culture. These areas have few highways and the most typical routes are on what's called a backroad. These roads aren't crowded though, in fact the only traffic jams that happen here are caused by farming equipment being moved from one field to the next.