What Kansas is known for

Kansas is the 15th largest state in the country with about 2.9 million residents and a population growth rate of 0.57% annually. The largest, most populous city in the state is Wichita, which contains many tourist sites.[3] In the classic film The Wizard of Oz, the main character Dorothy exclaims “We aren't in Kansas anymore” upon arriving in the land of Oz. This quote has formed an association in many people's minds regarding the film and the state of Kansas specifically. On Yellow Brick Road in Liberal, Kansas, the "home" of Dorothy can be found and is currently open to the public as a museum. Visitors can tour the grounds and see the 5,000 square foot exhibit showcasing the story of Dorothy and her companions in the land of Oz. The original house was once located somewhere else in Liberal, but the city moved it to the Seward County Coronado Museum in 1981, transforming it into a replica of the house that was shown in the movie.[2] 

Agriculture is a significant contributor to the state’s economic well-being. Kansas' agriculture industry is more than just growing crops, it also includes research and education, renewable energy production, food production and processing, and agribusiness. According to Farm Flavor, an informational site of America’s farmers and ranchers, recent statistics show that in 2017 there were 58,569 farms in the state, and agriculture accounts for over 40% of the total economy. Most of the crop and farm production includes wheat, corn, soybeans, sorghum, cattle, and calves.[7] 

Wichita, in particular, is an important manufacturing center for military aircraft. The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center near Wichita is an interactive museum that teaches visitors all about the significant role Kansas has played in space exploration. The museum features a space shuttle simulator where visitors can experience the feeling of lifting off into space. Artifacts, space suits, and objects from the moon are showcased in the exhibition halls.[8] 

One of Kansas’ most widely known tourist attractions is the Botanica, Wichita Gardens, which covers 17.6 acres, consisting of various types of foliage and flora. During the summer months, a butterfly house is open for visitors to watch new butterflies emerge from their chrysalis' and take flight. The garden originally opened in 1987 and was maintained by the Wichita Area Garden Council and the city of Wichita. Oftentimes, visitors will hold events or weddings at the Botanica, Wichita Gardens. Botanica hosts more than 200 weddings annually.[9]

Geography

Kansas is located in the center of the United States, bordered by Nebraska to the North, Missouri to the east, Oklahoma to the south, and Colorado to the west. The geographic center of the 48 contiguous states is in Smith County, Kansas. The land gradually rises from east to west. However, the state is generally flat in the western portion with an undulating surface, in contrast to the eastern portion that has many hills and forests. The Missouri River runs through the state, covering approximately 75 miles of the northeastern area. After a course of 170 miles, the Kansas River joins the Missouri River in Kansas City.[1]

The state’s climate could be described as temperate but continental, with a few extremes of hot and cold temperatures during the summer and winter seasons. On average, Kansas receives 25 inches of snow annually, ranging from less than 20 inches in the west to more than 40 inches in the southeast.[4] 

Kansas is known as the “Sunflower State” mainly because the weather and terrain are suited for them to grow. Sunflowers are native to North America and can be found in all 105 counties of the state. A sunflower was always included in the various designs for the state flag and now adorns the official design created in 1927. In 1903 the Kansas Legislature named sunflowers the state’s official flower.[5] The state tree, cottonwood, grows throughout Kansas, whereas the northeast consists of many oaks, walnut, cedar, elm, and maple trees.[4] 

There are currently 238 species of rare animals and approximately 400 rare plants throughout the state of Kansas. While there are many rare plants and animals, Kansas is also known to be one of the most productive agricultural states, producing large amounts of wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybeans.

History

In 1541 the first European to set foot on Kansas land was the Spanish conquistador, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. Before he arrived, the territory was being occupied by the Caddoan Wichita and later the Siouan Kaw people. Kansas was acquired by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. However, southwest Kansas was still part of Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas until 1848, after the conclusion of the Mexican-American War, when the land was ceded to the United States. A momentous time in Kansas history was the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which became law on May 30, 1854, officially making Kansas and Nebraska separate territories.[1] 

The Kansas-Nebraska Act gave the people in both territories new independence and freedom, allowing them to choose whether or not slavery should be allowed within their borders. This infuriated many in the north who considered the Missouri Compromise to be a long-standing agreement, in contrast to the pro-slavery south where it was strongly supported. After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, violence erupted from anti-slavery forces causing the death of many people. This tragedy is now remembered as “bleeding Kansas”.[6]

Eventually, another election was called, and pro-slavery supports won but were later charged with election fraud. This, in turn, resulted in disapproving Kansas of becoming a state. Over time, anti-slavery settlers outnumber pro-slavery settlers and a new constitution was drawn up. Kansas was then admitted to the Union as a free state, just before the start of the Civil War in 1861.[6]