Mississippi is considered as one of the most renowned and popular rivers in the country. This magnificent river derived its name from the word misi-ziibi that means ‘Great River’. Lieutenant Henri de Tonti referred this river as ‘Michi Sepe’. It is considered as the second largest river in the country that stretched for 3,733 kilometers right from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. The drainage basin of the river is around 1,247,300 square miles making it the third largest drainage basin in the world.

Mississippi River exhibits a great and important history that will take back to the recent Ice Age. Due to glacier action a lot of sediment deposited across the valley of Mississippi River. With the melting of the ice, it produced a large quantity of water cut channels. Mississippi River and its tributaries follow the path of these channels even today.

The river was first explored by Hernando de Soto, a Spanish explorer in 1541. Later on in the years 1673, French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet reached the river following Wisconsin River. Robert de La Salle reached the site in the year 1682 and claimed the area for France; consequently French were the first Europeans to settle in the valley. With the accomplishment of the purchase deal of Louisiana, it became the part of United States in 1803.

Even a glimpse of Mississippi River will fill you up with a sense of amusement, thrill and awe. The river also offers a great opportunity for house boating waters in entire United States. It is always awesome to view the magnificent and alluring views of sunset and sunrise on the shores of the rivers. This river is playing an important role in the strengthening the economy of surrounding communities and the states through its flows. This river was adversely affected by three earthquakes during 1811 and 1812 that resulted into the reversal of the flow backwards.

The major tributaries of the river include Minnesota River, Wisconsin River, Iowa River, Skunk River, Des Moines, St. Croix and the Illinois River. It also has some sub-tributaries such as Tennessee and Plate River which play a very important role in making it one of the most significant and magnificent rivers in the world. This is also a very important historical and natural site in United States.

The river has become one of the major tourist attractions in the country well renowned for offering some of the most thrilling aquatic activities along with magnificent natural scenic views. Water skiing has become one of the most sought after activities during the visit to the river. The river also serves as a source of life for seven National Parks that draws thousands of tourists from all round the globe annually. The area around the river is organized in such a way that it preserves the natural habitat of the river.

Besides water skiing, the river also offers some of the most exciting and adventurous activities in form of wakeboarding, biking and hiking. It also offers a great setting for the people who love to watch birds as it is a perfect hide out for thousands of permanent and migratory birds.

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Category: Travel
Keywords: Mississippi river, longest river in the world, Great River in United States, Mississippi river