Is Kansas a City, Country, or State? It's a U.S. State

Kansas is a state—one of the 50 United States of America.

Basic Facts

• Admitted: January 29, 1861 (34th state)
• Capital: Topeka
• Largest city: Wichita
• Region: Midwest / Great Plains
• Area: 82,278 sq mi (213,100 km²) — 15th largest
• Population: ~2.94 million (2023)
• Nickname: Sunflower State / Wheat State
• Motto: *Ad astra per aspera* ("To the stars through difficulties")

What It's NOT

• ❌ A city (though it contains cities: Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe, Topeka, Lawrence...)
• ❌ A country (sovereign nation)
• ❌ A territory (like Puerto Rico or Guam)

Geographic Context

• Bordered by: **Nebraska (N), Missouri (E), Oklahoma (S), Colorado (W)**.
• Geographic center of contiguous U.S. is near **Lebanon, Kansas**.
• Major rivers: **Kansas (Kaw), Arkansas, Missouri, Republican, Smoky Hill**.

Economy & Identity

• Agriculture: #1 wheat, #2 sorghum, major beef, corn, soy.
• Aviation: "Air Capital of the World" (Wichita: Spirit, Textron, Airbus).
• Energy: Oil, gas, wind (2nd in wind capacity).
• Education: KU (Lawrence), K-State (Manhattan), Wichita State.

Kansas = **state**. A political subdivision of the U.S. with its own constitution, legislature, governor, and courts. Not a city. Not a country.