Misiziibi

Misiziibi, commonly anglicized as the Mississippi River, is the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) name for the major North American river that drains a large portion of the continent. The name Misi-ziibi is often translated as “Great River” or “Big River.” The term reflects the river’s prominence in Indigenous cultures and its role in regional geography and history.

Misiziibi begins at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and flows generally south and east for about 2,320 miles (3,770 kilometers) to the Gulf of Mexico. It traverses or borders ten U.S. states—Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana—and collects water from numerous tributaries, including the Missouri and Ohio rivers. The Mississippi forms a key component of a vast drainage basin that shapes the hydrology and economy of the central United States.

Historically, the river supported diverse Indigenous communities long before European contact. The Cahokia settlement near modern Saint Louis exemplifies the Mississippian culture’s presence in the region. In 1673, French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette navigated portions of the river, signaling increasing European engagement and subsequent changes in trade and settlement. During the 19th century, the rise of steamboat transport cemented the Mississippi’s role as a principal commercial artery, a function it retains in part through ongoing navigation and river management.

In contemporary times, Misiziibi faces environmental and logistical challenges, including flooding, sedimentation, pollution, and habitat disruption. Federal and state programs regulate navigation, flood control, and water quality, while restoration and conservation efforts seek to balance economic uses with ecosystem health and Indigenous perspectives connected to the river.