Kansas became the 34th state in 1861 and is the 35th largest state by population with about 2.9 million residents. It is also the 13th largest state by land and water area with a total area of 82,277 square miles. Wichita is the largest city in Kansas with a population of approximately 366,000 people.
The name Kansas came from the Kansa (Kaw) Indians. Kansa means "south wind people."
Included below are more facts and symbols, a state map, the state song and views of the Kansas State Quarter.
Kansas State Capital - Topeka
State Nickname - The Sunflower State
State Motto - "Ad Astra per Aspera" (To the stars through difficulties)
State Flower - Sunflower
State Tree - Cottonwood
State Bird - Western Meadowlark
State Animal - American Bison
State Insect - Honeybee
State Reptile - Ornate Box Turtle
State Amphibian - Barred Tiger Salamander
State Soil - Harney Silt Loam
Official State Web Site - kansas.gov
(Click or tap for a larger view)
Home On the Range
The words were written by Dr. Brewster Higley.
The music was composed by Dan Kelly.
VERSE 1
Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the sky is not clouded all day.
CHORUS
A home, a home where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the sky is not clouded all day.
VERSE 2
Oh, give me the gale of the Solomon vale,
Where life streams with buoyancy flow,
On the banks of the Beaver, where seldom if ever
Any poisonous herbage doth grow.
VERSE 3
Oh, give me the land where the bright diamond sand
Throws its light from the glittering stream
Where glideth along the graceful white swan,
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.
VERSE 4
I love the wild flowers in this bright land of ours;
I love too the wild curley's scream,
The bluffs and white rocks and antelope flocks
That graze on the hillsides so green.
VERSE 5
How often at night, when the heavens are bright
With the light of the glittering stars,
Have I stood here amazed and asked as I gazed
If their glory exceeds this of ours.
VERSE 6
The air is so pure, the breezes so free,
The zephyrs so balmy and light,
I would not exchange my home here to range
Forever in azure so bright.
United States Mint 50 State Quarters© Program coin:
(United States Mint Images)
US State Facts © MCGWDD