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Clockwise, from
above: An aerial
view of Memphis;
great egrets on a
misty morning
Today the Mississippi remains one of the
world's hardest-working waterways, powering
local economies. Low barges transport cotton,
grain and other agricultural products from the
heartland. And revitalised riverfronts along the
Mississippi provide new opportunities for
tourism and commercial activities.
This mighty river, with its unique history,
heritage and culture, offers the ideal backdrop
for a modern era of American exploration and
discovery. The state-of-the-art vessel, Viking
Mississippi, has been designed specifically for
this waterway and is the perfect home-from-
home.
Biodiversity
As one of the world's major river systems in size,
biological activity and habitat diversity, it is
called the "Mighty Mississippi" for good reason.
Bisecting America's heartland, it serves as a
natural border for 10 states and is home to 360
species of fish, 326 species of birds, 145 species
of amphibians and 50 species of mammals.
H I S TO R Y & A R C H I T E C T U R E I S S U E 2 2
Get to know the bird species of the Mississippi Delta
