FYI: This sunflower was captured in California, not in Kansas Sate.
Capital: Topeka
Population: 3 million
Nickname: The Sunflower State, The Wheat State
Key Cities: Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka, Olathe, Lawrence
Postal Abbreviation: KS
Major Industries: Agriculture, cattle production, energy, aviation, industrial minerals
Kansas State Flower: Wild native sunflower
Kansas State Animal: American buffalo
Famous Kansans
Amelia Earhart- pilot
Martina McBride- singer
Jeff Probst- television host/producer
Melissa Etheridge- singer
Bob Dole- politician
Kirstie Alley- actress
Fun Facts
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The world’s first Pizza Hut opened in Wichita, Kansas in 1958.
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The first White Castle hamburger restaurant was also opened in Wichita in 1921.
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No state in the country grows more wheat than Kansas. In a single year, Kansas produces enough wheat to bake 36 billion loaves of bread. That could feed the entire world for two weeks!
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If you love adventure, try visiting the world’s tallest water slide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City. The slide is even taller than Niagara Falls.
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The windiest city in the United States is Dodge City, Kansas, where the average wind speed is 14 miles per hour.
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Kansas has an average of 61 tornadoes each year. In 2007, a tornado destroyed 95% of Greensburg, Kansas.
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It was the first tornado to be rated EF5 (that’s really strong!). A 1928 tornado in Kansas was so strong that it plucked the feathers off several chickens.
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People often describe Kansas as “flatter than a pancake.” In 2003, geographers tested this theory using a digital model of an IHOP pancake.
This post is part of the #StateChallenge Meetups from Team USA, hosted by @Kwiksatik and @Denise_Barlock
References: wikipedia.org, coolkidfacts.com
