Symbols of KANSAS
Motto: Ad astra per aspera, or "To the stars through difficulties"
The Great Seal of Kansas:
The Kansas flag:
The Kansas flag consists of a dark blue field with the state seal in the center. A sunflower on a bar of twisted gold lies above the seal, and below the seal is the word "Kansas". The seal contains a landscape that includes a rising sun, representing the east; and a river and steamboat, representing commerce. In the foreground, a settler's cabin and a man plowing a field represent agriculture. A wagon train heads west and buffalo are seen fleeing from two Indians. Around the top of the seal is a cluster of 34 stars. The state motto appears above the stars.
Song: "Home on the Range"
Barred Tiger Salamander
American bison
Channel catfish
Western Meadowlark
Sunflower
Western honey bee
Cottonwood
Box turtle
Capital - Topeka
Other big cities:
Wichita
Overland Park
Kansas City
.jpg)
Olathe
Manhattan
_County_Courthouse_1.jpg)
Hutchinson
Leavenworth
Garden City
Emporia
Liberal
Newton
Great Bend
8 wonders of KANSAS nature
Alcove Spring is one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography because...of its historical significance as a stop for Indians, fur traders, and emigrants on the Oregon Trail , with wagon ruts, an intermittent waterfall, and a long-flowing spring as the main features.
Coronado Heights is one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography because...it is an inspiring historic landmark and natural platform of Dakota Formation sandstone from which to observe the Smoky Hills and Smoky Hill River valley below.
Four-State Lookout is one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography because...of the spectacular view of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa from a platform atop the rolling loess hills of the glacial hills region with the Missouri River rolling through the foreground.
Gyp Hills Scenic Drive and the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway are one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography because... of the stunning rust-red buttes and mesa capped by layers of sparkling white gypsum.
Konza Prairie is one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography because...
it is an internationally recognized research site for tallgrass prairie ecology and because the trails offer the public an excellent way to experience this spectacular example of the Flint Hills.
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography because...its midgrass prairie provides the only place in Kansas
Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area is one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography because... the flat, stone creek bottom forms a natural ford, followed by a long, broad waterfall that has been a landmark for generations.
HISTORY
Searching in the internet for the information about this state, I learned a lot of interesting facts about it`s history. Kansas is rich with it. From the first documented traveler, over 400 years of trials, and
triumphs have helped mold Kansas into the prosperous, rich State we
know today.
- In 1540, Coronado found his way to Kansas as he was exploring the “new world” in search of gold. Gold he did not find. But, what he did find was land which he viewed as “the best that I have ever seen for producing all the products of Spain”.
- The territorial years began for Kansas in May of 1854. This period in our state's history wasn't without difficulty. Many people believed in freedom for all Kansans. “Freestaters” fought with pro-slavery forces on a number of fronts. Lawrence was attacked and ransacked in 1856 because pro-slavery forces wanted to put an end to Lawrence residents' harboring of slaves. Retaliatory efforts were led by John Brown, his sons, and others. These led to the Battle of Black Jack, where several hundred slave-state Missourians avenged Brown's actions.
- Because of the Senate's refusal to admit Kansas as a state, the issue erupted into a national political issue. In order to be admitted, there had to be a substantial shift in power in the Senate and the presidency. It wasn't until January 29, 1861, that the bill making Kansas the 34th state reached President James Buchanan's desk and was signed.
- However, Kansas continued to grow and develop. Schools, farms, and main streets cropped up all over the State. People could travel and transport goods and services more easily, resulting in the establishment of towns like Wichita, Dodge City, and Newton. The great prairie enabled Kansas to establish the country's eminent cattle industry. And, the farmland that attracted Indians and impressed Coronado earned Kansas the nickname - the Wheat State.
- Technology advanced, enabling planes to fly and trains to run on diesel instead of steam. In the early 20th century, Kansas began what is now the greatest airplane producing center in the world. More efficient farm equipment helped make Kansas the largest exporter of wheat, and energy drawn from its oil wells helped power a nation. Kansas has never been free of adversity. Throughout its proud, yet difficult history, the citizens of this state have fought for prosperity and success.
- The message inscribed on our State Seal, "Ad Astra Per Aspera", or "To the Stars Through Difficulty", reflects the adversity of this great State's history and the promise of its present and future.
All in all, the history of Kansas have changed a lot and it needed a lot of time to turn the common state into the rich and well-developped one.
Geography
There is a lot of information about the geographical position of the state of Kansas, but I would like to tell you just some of the most interesting facts:
- Almost rectangular in shape and mostly part of the Great Plains, Kansas is famous for its seemingly endless fields of ripe golden wheat.
- The state is drained by the Kansas and Arkansas rivers, both of which generally run from west to east.
- Occasional dust storms plague farmers and ranchers in the west.
- The climate is continental, with wide extremes—cold winters with blizzards and hot summers with tornadoes. Floods also wreak havoc in the state; hence, flood-control projects, such as dams, reservoirs, and levees, are a major undertaking.
- Topeka is the capital; other important cities are Wichita (the state's largest city), Lawrence, and Kansas City .
- Points of historical interest include the boyhood home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Eisenhower Library in Abilene.
- Fort Leavenworth is the site of a large federal penitentiary. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is one of the few large tracts of virgin prairie in the United States.
If you want to learn more about the geography of this state, visit these links:
Немає коментарів:
Дописати коментар