Mississippi is the "Magnolia State", a low fertile delta between the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers, which was explored by De Soto in 1540 and in 1541 La Salle traced the river to Illinois. By 1699, the French had built Ft. Maurepas, near Ocean Springs and by 1763 the region was ceded to Britain. After the revolution, the Spanish took control of parts of the area and refused to give up control to the United States. Finally, in 1798 Spain relinquished authority to the U.S. On December 10, 1817 Mississippi became the 20th state of the United States. Today its principle industries are manufacturing, food processing, seafood, retail and wholesale trade and agriculture. When visiting Mississippi, the following attractions are worth seeing: Vicksburg National Military Park and Cemetery, Natchez Trace Indian Mounds and Mardi Gras. Famous Mississippians include: William Faulkner, Elvis Presley and Charlie Pride. @
