Mississippi and the Mississippi River: West Bank, Not East

The state of Mississippi lies on the west bank of the Mississippi River — not the east side.

Geography

• The Mississippi River forms the state's entire western border (approx. 600 km / 370 mi).
• Across the river: Louisiana (southwest), Arkansas (northwest).
• The state's eastern border is with Alabama (straight line, 31st parallel).

Why the Confusion?

• The river flows south; "east/west" banks depend on perspective.
• But standard convention: looking downstream, left = east bank, right = west bank. Mississippi is on the right (west) bank.
• The state takes its name from the river (Ojibwe misi-ziibi, "great river") — but sits on its western shore.

Major River Cities in Mississippi

• Natchez — historic bluff city.
• Vicksburg — Civil War siege site.
• Greenville — river port, blues heritage.

So: Mississippi = west of the Mississippi River.