Capital Jackson" Became a State December 10, 1817 (20th) Location southern region of United States Area 48,430 sq. miles (32nd) Population 2,967,297 (32nd) Major Cities Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Meridian Products cotton, corn, rice, soybeans, chickens, raising catfish, dairy products Climate hot, humid subtropical – long summers and short mild winters Yearly Precipitation averages 53 inches Professional Sports Teams no professional sport teams Major Waterways Big Black River, Mississippi River, Pascagoula River, Yazoo River, Pearl River Most Famous Citizens Jim Henson (puppeteer) Oprah Winfrey (talk show host) Morgan Freeman (actor) James Earl Jones (actor) William Faulkner (author) Elvis Presley (entertainer) Tennessee Williams (playwright) Walton Payton (football player)