Kansas

Kansas, state in the central United States; bordered by Nebraska to the north, Missouri to the east, Oklahoma to the south, and Colorado to the west. Nicknamed “Midway, U.S.A.” and “Heart of the Nation,” Kansas is halfway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Land and climate

Kansas lies in the transition area between the prairies and the high plains. It consists of 3 principal land regions: the Great Plains, covering the western two-thirds of the state; the Dissected Till Plains in the northeast corner; and the Southeastern Plains. The Great Plains are slightly rolling, rather dry land, sloping downward from the Colorado border to the east. The Dissected Till Plains region was the only one covered by glaciers during the Ice Ages; as a result, it has deposits of rich soil cut through by rivers to leave high bluffs. The Southeastern Plains are often divided into the Flint Hills in the west and the Osage Plains in the east. Kansas does not have extensive water resources, but more than 100 artificial lakes add to its irrigation and recreation resources. Its major river systems are the Kansas, the Arkansas, and their tributaries. Kansas soils are generally dark, fertile loam suitable for raising a variety of crops. Like most of the U.S. interior, Kansas has cold winters and warm-to-hot summers. Principal cities are Wichita, Kansas City, and Topeka.

Economy

Often called the “Breadbasket of America,” Kansas is one of the top agricultural states. It leads the nation in wheat production, and is the leading producer of beef cattle. Other major crops include grain sorghum, hay, corn, and hogs.

Kansas's leading industrial products are transportation equipment, processed foods, and printed materials. Wichita is the nation's largest aviation-production center. Automobiles, trucks, and railroad cars are produced in Atchison, Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, and Wichita. One of the world's largest meat-packing plants is in Garden City; large producers of pharmaceuticals and other chemicals operate in the Kansas City area. Service industries account for the largest share of the state's income. Kansas's mineral resources include petroleum, natural gas, helium, limestone, coal, and salt.

Government

The Kansas constitution was adopted in 1859. The governor serves a 4-year term. The state's legislature consists of 40 senators serving 4-year terms and 125 representatives serving 2-year terms. In the U.S. Congress, Kansas is represented by 2 senators and 5 representatives.

History

Native Americans inhabited the region long before the first white settlers arrived. Gold-seeking Spaniards were the first Europeans to enter the area (1541); in the late 1600s, French explorers claimed the land. The U.S. acquired most of Kansas as part of the Louisiana Purchase (1803). In the mid-1800s, the nationwide debate over slavery led to a series of disorders and killings that earned the territory the nickname of “Bleeding Kansas.” In 1861 Kansas became the 34th state, supporting the Union cause during the Civil War. After the war, settlement and economic expansion progressed rapidly until the 1930s, when Kansas was hit hard by drought and depression. World War II brought recovery to agriculture, and new cultivation methods restored prosperity. In the decades since, Kansas's small towns have declined in population as its urban centers and industries have grown.