To us residents, Mississippi will always be number one. But just in case you want proof, we dug up some stats to help support this claim. From catfish to cacti, listed below are nine good things about Mississippi that make us number one.

1. Being Charitable
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
It’s a well-known fact that the average pay in Mississippi is lower than that of most other states. However, did you know that the state is extremely generous? Actually, if you take a look at the Catalogue of Philanthropy’s "Generosity Index," you'll notice that Mississippi happens to be the most charitable state.
2. Catfish Production
Jonathan Ball/Flickr
Mississippi growers raise more catfish than any other state. In fact, approximately 70% of the nation’s catfish comes from Mississippi. And don't forget that Belzoni is the "Catfish Capitol of the World."
3. Religion
Michael McCarthy/Flickr
Located within the Bible Belt, the fact that Mississippians are religious is definitely not headline-making news, but are you aware that the state has been ranked the most religious in the entire country? Additionally, more than half of the state’s residents consider themselves to be "very religious," and Mississippi is home to one of the largest Baptist populations in the world. Interesting, huh?
4. Preparing Delicious Food
Jimmy Smith/Flickr
There’s no denying that Mississippi is the place to go for the best seafood, barbecue, fried food, slugburgers, tamales, and of course delicious southern comfort food.

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5. Upholstered Furniture Production
Mike Grauer Jr./Flickr
The next time you’re relaxing on a comfy sofa or in a cozy chair, remember that Mississippi is the nation’s largest producer of upholstered furniture.
6. Producing the Nation’s Best Snow Sled
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis/Wikimedia
West Point’s Blazon-Flexible Flyer, Inc. has earned a reputation for producing the "best snow sled in the United States." That's a pretty impressive feat considering a majority of the state rarely even sees snow.
7. Bringing Music to the World
Evangutierrez/Flickr
Not only is the state of Mississippi credited with being the birthplace of the Blues and the King of Rock and Roll, but Meridian’s Peavey Electronics is also the world’s largest manufacturer of musical amplification equipment.
8. Cactus Production
Super Dave Videos/You Tube
The city of Edwards is home to the world’s only cactus plantation, which includes more than 3,000 varieties of cacti.
9. Being Hospitable
edgraws/Flickr
The epitome of true Southern hospitality, Mississippi wasn’t given the nickname the "Hospitality State" by chance. And let’s be honest. Nobody does hospitality like Mississippians, right?

Can you think of anything good about Mississippi that’s not on this list? If so, please feel free to share it with us in the comments below.

To learn more about Mississippi’s Cactus Plantation, be sure to watch the following YouTube video:

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good things about Mississippi + related info

Jennifer Young | January 05, 2023

What are five of the most beautiful places in Mississippi?

If you've ever wondered what's good about Mississippi, all you have to do is look around. There are many great places all around us. Listed below are five of Mississippi's most beautiful places, and each one of them belongs on your bucket list.

1. Windsor Ruins

Mississippi's Windsor Ruins, which is located in Port Gibson, is considered the "most imposing ruins in the United States." Because of this, it's one of the state's most notable sites.

2. Clear Springs Lake

Clear Springs Lake is located in Meadville, Mississippi, and is the perfect destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. It's also part of an outdoor recreation area that offers everything from swimming and fishing to camping and hiking.

3. Clark Creek Natural Area

Mississippi's Clark Creek Natural Area in Woodville is one of the state’s most beautiful outdoor spots. Covering more than 700 acres, this scenic area welcomes nature enthusiasts of all ages. The waterfalls are gorgeous and the trails are fantastic!

4. St. Mary Basilica

St. Mary Basilica is a gorgeous church that's located in Natchez. Built in 1842, it's Mississippi's oldest Catholic church that's currently in use today.

5. Monmouth Gardens

One of the most incredible antebellum homes in Natchez is Monmouth, which is surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Covering 26 acres, the gardens include everything from beautiful flowers to lots of lush greenery. There's also a gazebo, a bridge, and a pond.

What's one of Mississippi's most popular day trip destinations?

Mississippi is home to many places that are perfect for a day trip. One place in particular is Ship Island. Ship Island is a barrier island that's home to some of the best beaches in Mississippi. To reach Ship Island, all it takes is a 50-minute ferry ride. Not only is Ship Island a great place for swimming and relaxing, but for anyone who's a history enthusiast, it's also a great place to explore one of Mississippi's top historical sites - Fort Massachusetts.

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