Missouri State Maps
These maps show Missouri State's Counties, Cities, Federal Areas, Physiographic, and Ecoregions.

The 114 Counties of Missouri and Their Name Origins
- Adair County: Named for John Adair, Governor of Kentucky.
- Andrew County: Named for Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. President.
- Atchison County: Named after Missouri Senator David Rice Atchison.
- Audrain County: Named after James H. Audrain, a state legislator.
- Barry County: Named for William T. Barry, Postmaster General under President Andrew Jackson.
- Barton County: Named for U.S. Senator David Barton, Missouri's first Senator.
- Bates County: Named after Frederick Bates, the second Governor of Missouri.
- Benton County: Named after Thomas Hart Benton, Missouri's first Senator.
- Bollinger County: Named for George Frederick Bollinger, a pioneer settler of the area.
- Boone County: Named for Daniel Boone, the famous American frontiersman.
- Buchanan County: Named after James Buchanan, the 15th U.S. President.
- Butler County: Named after William Orlando Butler, a hero of the Mexican-American War.
- Caldwell County: Named for John Caldwell, an Indian scout and Kentucky lieutenant governor.
- Callaway County: Named for James Callaway, a frontiersman and grandson of Daniel Boone.
- Camden County: Named for Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, a British lawyer and statesman.
- Cape Girardeau County: Named after Ensign Sieur Jean Baptiste de Girardot, a French officer and trader.
- Carroll County: Named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Carter County: Named for Zimri A. Carter, an early settler.
- Cass County: Named for Lewis Cass, an American military officer and statesman.
- Cedar County: Named for the abundance of Eastern Red Cedar trees in the area.
- Chariton County: Named for the Chariton River, which was named after French explorer Joseph Chariton.
- Christian County: Named after William Christian, a Kentucky militia general.
- Clark County: Named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- Clay County: Named after Henry Clay, the U.S. Senator from Kentucky and Secretary of State.
- Clinton County: Named after DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York.
- Cole County: Named after Stephen Cole, an early settler in Missouri.
- Cooper County: Named after the Cooper family of Virginia, early settlers in the area.
- Crawford County: Named after William H. Crawford, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
- Dade County: Named for Major Francis L. Dade, a military officer killed during the Second Seminole War.
- Dallas County: Named for George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States under James K. Polk.
- Daviess County: Named after Major Joseph Hamilton Daviess, a hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe.
- DeKalb County: Named after Baron Johann de Kalb, a Bavarian officer who served in the American Revolutionary War.
- Dent County: Named for Lewis Dent, an early settler and brother-in-law of Ulysses S. Grant.
- Douglas County: Named for Stephen A. Douglas, an American politician and supporter of popular sovereignty.
- Dunklin County: Named after Daniel Dunklin, the fifth Governor of Missouri.
- Franklin County: Named after Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States.
- Gasconade County: Named after the Gasconade River, whose name may derive from the French "gascon," meaning braggart.
- Gentry County: Named after Richard Gentry, a military officer and politician.
- Greene County: Named after Nathanael Greene, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Grundy County: Named for Felix Grundy, a U.S. Senator and Attorney General.
- Harrison County: Named after Albert G. Harrison, a U.S. Congressman from Missouri.
- Henry County: Named after Patrick Henry, a Founding Father and Governor of Virginia.
- Hickory County: Named after Andrew Jackson, whose nickname was "Old Hickory."
- Holt County: Named after David Rice Holt, an early legislator.
- Howard County: Named after Benjamin Howard, an early Governor of the Missouri Territory.
- Howell County: Named after Josiah Howell, an early settler.
- Iron County: Named for the abundance of iron ore in the area.
- Jackson County: Named after Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States.
- Jasper County: Named after William Jasper, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
- Jefferson County: Named after Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States.
- Johnson County: Named after Richard Mentor Johnson, Vice President of the United States under Martin Van Buren.
- Knox County: Named after Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War.
- Laclede County: Named after Pierre Laclède, founder of St. Louis.
- Lafayette County: Named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
- Lawrence County: Named after James Lawrence, a naval officer during the War of 1812.
- Lewis County: Named after Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- Lincoln County: Named after Benjamin Lincoln, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Linn County: Named after Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri.
- Livingston County: Named after Edward Livingston, a statesman and diplomat.
- McDonald County: Named after Sergeant Alexander McDonald, a Revolutionary War officer.
- Macon County: Named after Nathaniel Macon, a North Carolina politician and statesman.
- Madison County: Named after James Madison, 4th President of the United States.
- Maries County: Named for the Maries River, a tributary of the Gasconade River.
- Marion County: Named after Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," a military officer in the American Revolutionary War.
- Mercer County: Named after General Hugh Mercer, a Revolutionary War hero.
- Miller County: Named after John Miller, former Governor of Missouri.
- Mississippi County: Named for the Mississippi River, which forms the county's eastern boundary.
- Moniteau County: Named after the Moniteau Creek, which in turn was named for a local Native American word meaning "spirit" or "deity."
- Monroe County: Named after James Monroe, 5th President of the United States.
- Montgomery County: Named after Richard Montgomery, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Morgan County: Named for Daniel Morgan, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- New Madrid County: Named after Madrid, Spain, by Spanish settlers.
- Newton County: Named after Isaac Newton, the famous scientist and mathematician.
- Nodaway County: Named after the Nodaway River, which runs through the area.
- Oregon County: Likely named after the Oregon Territory.
- Osage County: Named for the Osage River, which runs through the area.
- Ozark County: Named after the Ozark Mountains, which dominate the landscape.
- Pemiscot County: Named for the Pemiscot Bayou, a waterway in the area.
- Perry County: Named after Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero of the War of 1812.
- Pettis County: Named after Spencer Pettis, a U.S. Congressman from Missouri.
- Phelps County: Named after John S. Phelps, a U.S. Congressman and Governor of Missouri.
- Pike County: Named after Zebulon Pike, explorer and military officer.
- Platte County: Named after the Platte River, which forms its western boundary.
- Polk County: Named after James K. Polk, 11th President of the United States.
- Pulaski County: Named after Casimir Pulaski, a Polish military commander who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
- Putnam County: Named after Israel Putnam, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Ralls County: Named after Daniel Ralls, an early settler and state legislator.
- Randolph County: Named for John Randolph of Roanoke, a prominent American politician and statesman.
- Ray County: Named after John Ray, an early Missouri legislator.
- Reynolds County: Named after Thomas Reynolds, Governor of Missouri from 1840 to 1844.
- Ripley County: Named after Eleazer Wheelock Ripley, a soldier during the War of 1812.
- St. Charles County: Named after the city of Saint Charles, Missouri.
- St. Clair County: Named after Arthur St. Clair, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- St. Francois County: Named after the St. Francis River.
- St. Louis County: Named after King Louis IX of France.
- Saline County: Named after the salt springs found in the area.
- Schuyler County: Named after Philip Schuyler, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Scotland County: Named after Scotland, the native country of many of the county's early settlers.
- Scott County: Named after John Scott, the first U.S. Representative from Missouri.
- Shannon County: Named after George Shannon, the youngest member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- Shelby County: Named after Isaac Shelby, a Revolutionary War hero and Governor of Kentucky.
- Stoddard County: Named after Amos Stoddard, an early American military officer and explorer.
- Stone County: Named after William Stone, an early settler and lawyer.
- Sullivan County: Named after Major General John Sullivan, a Revolutionary War officer.
- Taney County: Named after Roger B. Taney, the fifth Chief Justice of the United States.
- Texas County: Likely named in sympathy with the Republic of Texas.
- Vernon County: Named after Miles Vernon, a state senator.
- Warren County: Named after Joseph Warren, a hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
- Washington County: Named after George Washington, the first President of the United States.
- Wayne County: Named after Anthony Wayne, a general in the American Revolutionary War.
- Webster County: Named after Daniel Webster, an American statesman and lawyer.
- Worth County: Named after William J. Worth, a general during the Mexican-American War.
- Wright County: Named after Silas Wright, a U.S. Senator from New York.

Missouri State County Sizes Map
Smallest County in Missouri State
Worth County: 270 sq miles
Largest County in Missouri State
Texas County: 1,176 sq miles
Mean and Median Area of Counties in Missouri State
Mean Area: 594.5 sq miles
Median Area: 539 sq miles

Major Cities of Missouri State and Their Locations
In Missouri State, most major cities are strategically located along rivers or transportation routes. Below are examples:
1. River Cities
St. Louis: Located on the Mississippi River, St. Louis has historically been a major trade center and is known for its iconic Gateway Arch.
Kansas City: Situated on the Missouri River, Kansas City is a major hub for agriculture and industry.
St. Joseph: Located along the Missouri River, St. Joseph played a significant role in westward expansion as the starting point of the Pony Express.
Joplin: Located in the southwestern corner of Missouri, Joplin was historically a key mining town and is now a commercial hub for the region.
Hannibal: Situated on the Mississippi River, Hannibal is famously known as the boyhood home of author Mark Twain and is rich in historical significance.
2. Historic Paths or Routes
Springfield: Known as the "Queen City of the Ozarks," Springfield is located along historic transportation routes and is an important cultural center in southern Missouri.
Branson: Known for its entertainment industry, Branson is located in the Ozarks and attracts millions of visitors annually with its theaters, music venues, and outdoor recreation.
Kirksville: Located in northern Missouri, Kirksville is home to Truman State University and a regional hub for education and healthcare.
Lebanon: Located along the historic Route 66, Lebanon is a key city in central Missouri known for its role in agriculture and manufacturing.
Farmington: Located in southeastern Missouri, Farmington serves as a regional center for commerce and is known for its proximity to state parks and outdoor activities.
Rolla: Known for its engineering university, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla is strategically located along Interstate 44 and plays a key role in education and research.
Poplar Bluff: Located near the Black River in southeastern Missouri, Poplar Bluff serves as a regional center for commerce, healthcare, and transportation.

Topographic Tour of Missouri

Missouri offers diverse terrains shaped by its unique geological history, from the rolling hills of the Ozarks to the vast plains of the northern region.
1. Ozark Highlands
The Ozark Highlands cover much of southern Missouri and feature rugged hills, bluffs, and caves. This region is known for its natural beauty, with forests, rivers, and the iconic Missouri Ozarks.
2. Central Lowlands
Northern Missouri is part of the Central Lowlands, characterized by flat to gently rolling plains. This area supports extensive agriculture and is known for its fertile soils and vast farmlands.
3. Mississippi Alluvial Plain
The southeastern corner of Missouri, known as the "Bootheel," is part of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. This low-lying region is shaped by the Mississippi River and is a major agricultural area, particularly for cotton and rice farming.

Physiographic Regions of Missouri State
Central Lowland, Dissected Till Plains
This region in northern Missouri is characterized by glaciated plains with rolling hills and fertile soils. It is a prime area for agriculture.
Ozark Plateaus, Springfield-Salem Plateaus
The Ozarks in southern Missouri feature steep hills, caves, and deep valleys. The Springfield-Salem Plateau is a unique subregion known for its karst topography and rich biodiversity.
Coastal Plain, Mississippi Alluvial Plain
The Bootheel region, part of the Coastal Plain, is a flat, low-lying area shaped by the Mississippi River. It is one of Missouri's major agricultural regions.
Interior Highlands, St. Francois Mountains
This region in southeastern Missouri contains some of the oldest exposed rocks in North America. The St. Francois Mountains are known for their igneous rock formations and scenic views.
Osage Plains
Located in the western part of the state, the Osage Plains are a transition zone between the more rugged Ozarks and the flatter Great Plains. The area is known for its prairies and agricultural production.

Largest and Most Interesting Federal Lands in Missouri
1. Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest covers a large portion of southern Missouri. It features dense forests, rivers, and the Ozark Trail, offering extensive opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
2. Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Located in southern Missouri, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways protects the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. This area is known for its clear, spring-fed rivers, karst features, and recreational activities such as canoeing, fishing, and camping.
3. Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
This refuge along the Missouri River protects important wetland habitats and provides a haven for wildlife. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching and hiking.
4. Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield commemorates the site of an important Civil War battle in southwest Missouri. Visitors can explore the battlefield, hike trails, and learn about Missouri's Civil War history.

Ecoregions of Missouri
Central Dissected Till Plains Section
This ecoregion in northern Missouri features rolling hills and fertile plains shaped by glaciation. It supports extensive agriculture, particularly corn and soybeans.
Mississippi Alluvial Basin Section
Located in the southeastern Bootheel, this ecoregion is a low-lying, flat area dominated by agriculture, particularly cotton and rice. The region has been heavily modified by human activity.
Ozark Highlands Section
The Ozark Highlands in southern Missouri are characterized by rugged hills, forests, and karst topography. The region supports a diverse range of wildlife and is known for its scenic beauty.
Osage Plains Section
The Osage Plains in western Missouri are a transition zone between the tallgrass prairies to the west and the more forested Ozarks to the east. The region is known for its rolling hills, grasslands, and agricultural activity.