Kansas Almanac: State Facts and Figures

Browse the state's symbols; state animal, state bird, state flower, state flag, state fossil, state insect, state motto, state seal, state tree, color, dance, fish, mammal, music, nut, reptile seal, and miscellaneous designations, emblems, and mascot of each state with pictures. Find origin of the state name. View the state almanacs, state timelines and peruse state facts and stats such as the capitol, location, and date admitted to the union.

Kansas Almanac

Official Name

Kansas

Capital

Topeka

Nick Name

Wheat State, Sunflower State, Jayhawker State, Midway, U.S.A.

Motto

Ad Astra per Aspera (To the stars through difficulties)

Location & Region

39.03790 N, 095.69199 W

Midwest

Constitution Ratified

1859

Statehood

January 29, 1861

34th state

Population

2,688,418

32.86

32nd

Largest City
(by population)

Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka, Olathe, Lawrence

Bordering States

Colorado - Missouri - Nebraska - Oklahoma

Number of Counties

93 Counties in Kansas

Largest County
(by population)

Douglas County

99,962

457 sq mi.

Time Zone

Central Standard Time

Kansas Climate and Weather

Kansas weather is variable and unpredictable. Winter blizzards, violent windstorms, and heavy rains are common throughout the state, and the continental climate (on occasion) produces rapid temperature extremes.

Generally here the summers are quite warm, the winters are mild, and the humidity is on the moderate side.

Early evening thunderstorms are common in summer, and tornados strike the state on a regular basis as Kansas is in America's Tornado Alley.

January is the coldest month, with average high temperatures near 25 degrees. July is the warmest month, with average high temperatures near 80 degrees. Much hotter summers and harsh, cold winters are not uncommon.

Annual precipitation amounts range from 30 - 40 inches in the east, while drier conditions are common in the west.

Highest Temperature

121 degrees
July 24, 1936 - Alton

Lowest Temperature

-40 degrees
February 13, 1905 - Lebanon

Avg Temp: High - Low

92.9 degrees

15.7 degrees

Kansas Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation

2,000

Highest Point

Mt. Sunflower

4,039

Lowest Point

Verdigris River

679

Kansas Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center

Barton

Total Area

82,276.84

15th

Land Area¹

81,814.88

99.44%

Water Area²

461.96

0.56%

Forested Land Area³

Dimensions
(Length - Width)

400 miles

210 miles

Source: (U.S. Census, April 1, 2000)
1. Dry land and land temporarily or partially covered by water, such as marshland, swamps, etc.; streams and canals under one-eighth statute mile wide; and lakes, reservoirs, and ponds under 40 acres.
2. Permanent inland water surface, such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds having an area of 40 acres or more; streams, sloughs, estuaries, and canals one-eighth statute mile or more in width; deeply indented embayments and sounds, and other coastal waters behind or sheltered by headlands or islands separated by less than 1 nautical mile of water, and islands under 40 acres in area. Excludes areas of oceans, bays, sounds, etc. lying within U.S. jurisdiction but not defined as inland water.
3. 1997

Almanac Provided by SHG Resources