All About Kansas
Kansas is a constituent state of the United States of America. The state's 82,277 square miles (213,098 square kilometres) are bounded by Nebraska on the north, Missouri on the east, Oklahoma on the south, and Colorado on the west. Lying amid the westward-rising landscape of the Great Plains of the North American continent, it became the 34th state on Jan. 29, 1861. In that year the capital was located in Topeka by popular vote, outpolling nearby Lawrence by some 2,700 ballots. The state's name is derived from that of the Kansa, or Kaw, Indians.
The geographic centre of the 48 coterminous states of the nation is marked by a limestone shaft and a flag located in a pasture near Lebanon, Kan., close to the Nebraska border. Some 40 miles (65 kilometres) to the south is the magnetic, or geodetic, centre of the terrestrial mass of North America; this is the reference point for all land survey in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Kansas was once seen as the agricultural heartland of the nation. After 1952, however, industry began to contribute more to the economy than did wheat fields and cattle ranches. Wichita, the state's largest city, is known locally as the Air Capital of the World because it produces more general aviation aircraft than any other city.
Kansas has been characterized as a featureless plain, but its topography, while rarely spectacular, is varied. The land rises slowly but steadily from 700 feet (213 metres) above sea level in the southeast to 4,039 feet (1,231 metres) near the Colorado border. The far western section consists of high plains with few natural trees and appears flat and endless. Actually these plains are creased with shallow gullies, called draws, the product of millennia of erosion. Here are some of the state's most striking geologic formations. Castle Rock, south of Quinter, consists of chalk spires rising high above the level plains. Monument Rocks, a few miles to the west, resemble sphinxes. Near Jetmore is Horse Thief Canyon, a miniature of the Grand Canyon.
Kansas has abundant farmland, large mineral resources, a good labour force, a healthy retail trade, ample electrical power, plenty of water, and a central location. The national trend away from manufacturing and toward service industries has been experienced to a lesser degree in Kansas, which remains above the national average in percentage of employees in manufacturing. Small and medium industries account for increasing percentages of the overall numbers of employees. The availability of a reliable work force is one of the advantages the state has to offer to prospective employers. Two long-established army posts have contributed significantly to the state's economy. Fort Leavenworth, with its renowned Command and General Staff College, dates from 1827. Fort Riley, near Junction City, was established in 1853 and was also an Indian outpost. In the 20th century it has been an important infantry-training centre and is the home of the famous 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One). McConnell Air Force Base at Wichita is a part of the Strategic Air Command and one of four bases in the nation to house the B-1B bomber.
The eastern areas of Kansas look to Kansas City, Mo., for cultural attractions. In the mid-1960s the Kansas Arts Commission was formed; funded by the state, it seeks to encourage the development of the arts, often providing money for communities or organizations that want to develop cultural events. The University of Kansas has an outstanding museum of natural history and an art museum. The Eisenhower Center at Abilene, boyhood home of the 34th U.S. president, has a museum and a library containing the papers and memorabilia of his presidency and military career.
Kansas has an excellent system of railroads for east–west transport but, except in the east, has less adequate north–south lines. The same may be said of its highways. Exceptions are the state's single toll road, the Kansas Turnpike, which runs southwesterly from Kansas City to the Oklahoma line south of Wichita, and Interstate 135. Although Kansas has more than 350 airports and is served by several airlines, the only major airport with transcontinental service is in Wichita.
