States and Territories
Kansas, the "Sunflower State"
Abbreviation: KS
Kansas is derived from the Siouan Kansa or Kaw, meaning "people of the south wind," who lived south of the settlements of the northern Great Plains. It was granted statehood in 1861, becoming the 34th state in the US. Kansas is located equidistant from the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. The geographic center of North America is located in Osborne County. This spot is used as the central reference point for all maps produced by the government. Kansas leads the states in wheat production. In early summer, the vast wheat fields on the state's prairies look like golden seas of grain. One of Kansas' most famous towns is Dodge City, the Cowboy Capital of the World. Kansas has many reminders of its colorful past. One can still see the ruts made by covered wagons on the Santa Fe Trail. Tourists can visit the old forts that served as bases for United States cavalry campaigns against Native American tribes and a variety of local museums, showing the exciting days of cattle drives and gunslingers.
GOVERNMENT
Capital:Topeka
Governor: Kathleen Sebelius, D (to Jan. 2007)
Senators: Sam Brownback, R (to Jan. 2011); Pat Roberts, R (to Jan. 2009)
House of Representatives: 4 districts | Search by zip code
STATISTICS
Population (April 2000): 2,688,418; National Rank: 32; Percent change since 1990: 8.5%; State Rank based on Percent Change: 35
Land Area: 81,823 sq mi. (211,922 sq km); National Rank: 15
10 largest cities (2000): Wichita, 344,284; Overland Park, 149,080; Kansas City, 146,866; Topeka, 122,377; Olathe, 92,962; Lawrence, 80,098; Shawnee, 47,996; Salina, 45,679; Manhattan, 44,831; Hutchinson, 40,787
ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2001 (millions of dollars): 87,196; National rank: 31; Percent change since 1990: 41%; National Rank based on Growth Rate: 33 (Including Washington, DC)
Per Capita Personal Income 2001: $28,432; National Rank: 28 (93% of the national average)
State Exports 2002 (millions of dollars): 4,988; National Rank: 28
Agriculture: Cattle, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, hogs, corn.
Industry: Transportation equipment, food processing, printing and publishing, chemical products, machinery, apparel, petroleum, mining.
Government
- Official State Homepage
- Project VoteSmart
- State and Local Government on the Internet
- Vital Records Information
Statistics
- Kansas Profile - Fedstats
- Census 2000 Data for the State of Kansas
- Census State Data Centers: Kansas
Background
- Explore the States (Library of Congress)
- 50States.com
- InfoPlease
- Kansas Facts
- Old West Kansas
- Stately Knowledge