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| image_map = [[File:Gulf Coast Locator Map.png|250px|Location of MS Gulf Coast]]
| image_map = [[File:Gulf Coast Locator Map.png|250px|Location of MS Gulf Coast]]
| map_alt = Red counties: Stone, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, George. Blue county: Pearl River County
| map_alt = Red counties: Stone, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, George. Blue county: Pearl River County
| map_caption = Location of coastal counties in Mississippi. Red counties are included in [[Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS Combined Statistical Area|Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula MSA]]. Blue county is included in the geographical area below the 31st parallel.
| map_caption = Map of Mississippi with the Gulf Coast region highlighted. The counties in red correspond to the [[Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS Combined Statistical Area|Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula MSA]]. [[Pearl River County, Mississippi|Pearl River County]] (blue), a part of [[New Orleans–Metairie–Slidell combined statistical area|Greater New Orleans]], is included in the geographical definition which includes all of Mississippi south of [[31st parallel north|31° N]].
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_alt =
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<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
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| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=County Explorer |url=https://ce.naco.org/ |website=National Association of Counties |publisher=National Association of Counties |access-date=10 May 2019}}</ref>{{efn|Adding up the individual areas of Pearl River, Stone, George, Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties, the six counties below the 31st parallel mentioned in the reference from the Sun Herald, and converting from square miles to acres provides this result.}}
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=County Explorer |url=https://ce.naco.org/ |website=National Association of Counties |access-date=10 May 2019}}</ref>{{efn|Adding up the individual areas of Pearl River, Stone, George, Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties, the six counties below the 31st parallel mentioned in the reference from the Sun Herald, and converting from square miles to acres provides this result.}}
| area_urban_footnotes = <!-- <ref> </ref> -->
| area_urban_footnotes = <!-- <ref> </ref> -->
| area_rural_footnotes = <!-- <ref> </ref> -->
| area_rural_footnotes = <!-- <ref> </ref> -->
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| elevation_ft =
| elevation_ft =
| population_as_of = [[2010 US Census|April 1, 2010]]
| population_as_of = [[2010 US Census|April 1, 2010]]
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula Metro: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 more information 2018 Population Estimates |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=PEP_2018_PEPANNRES&prodType=table |website=US Census Bureau |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214061229/https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=PEP_2018_PEPANNRES&prodType=table |archive-date=14 February 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula Metro: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 more information 2018 Population Estimates |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=PEP_2018_PEPANNRES&prodType=table |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214061229/https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=PEP_2018_PEPANNRES&prodType=table |archive-date=14 February 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| population_total = 370,702
| population_total = 370,702
| pop_est_as_of = 2018
| pop_est_as_of = 2018
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==Geography==
==Geography==
At the state's creation, Hancock and Jackson were the only two counties to make up this region. However, before the end of the first centennial, subdivisions in the counties lead to the formation of Harrison County, as well as the pineywoods counties of Pearl River, Stone and George.<ref name="1817-1917">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/article141730629.html|title=The Coast from 1817 to 1917: From frontier to tourist destination|last=Bergeron|first=Kat|date=March 30, 2017|website=SunHearld|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref>
At the state's creation, Hancock and Jackson were the only two counties to make up this region. However, before the end of the first centennial, subdivisions in the counties led to the formation of Harrison County, as well as the pineywoods counties of Pearl River, Stone and George.<ref name="1817-1917">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/article141730629.html|title=The Coast from 1817 to 1917: From frontier to tourist destination|last=Bergeron|first=Kat|date=March 30, 2017|website=SunHearld|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref>


=== Cities ===
=== Cities ===
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==History==
==History==


=== Early History ===
=== Early history ===
The [[Biloxi people]] lived in the region at least as early as 1699.
The [[Biloxi people]] lived in the region at least as early as 1699.


=== Colonial History ===
=== Colonial History ===
[[File:Pierre_Lemoyne_Ship_Island.jpg|thumb|Pierre Lemoyne and company disembarking on Ship Island in the Mississippi Sound]]
[[File:Pierre_Lemoyne_Ship_Island.jpg|thumb|Pierre Lemoyne and company disembarking on Ship Island in the Mississippi Sound]]
In 1699, [[Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville]] arrived to establish a colony near the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]]. He landed on the Ship Island, and three days later, arrived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, establishing a colony and building [[Fort Maurepas]], which served as the first capital of [[French Louisiana]]. The fort became a base of operations to continue exploring the area.<ref name="Failed Enterprise">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov/articles/35/french-colonial-period-in-mississippi|title=A Failed Enterprise: The French Colonial Period in Mississippi {{!}} Mississippi History Now|last=Bunn|first=J. Michael|last2=Williams|first2=Clay|date=September 2007|website=www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov|publisher=Mississippi Department of Archives and History|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref>
In 1699, [[Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville]] arrived to establish a colony near the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]]. He landed on the Ship Island, and three days later, arrived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, establishing a colony and building [[Fort Maurepas]], which served as the first capital of [[French Louisiana]]. The fort became a base of operations to continue exploring the area.<ref name="Failed Enterprise">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov/articles/35/french-colonial-period-in-mississippi|title=A Failed Enterprise: The French Colonial Period in Mississippi {{!}} Mississippi History Now|last1=Bunn|first1=J. Michael|last2=Williams|first2=Clay|date=September 2007|website=www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov|publisher=Mississippi Department of Archives and History|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref>


The French settlers found the area to be difficult to maintain a settlement. According to Bunn & Williams (2007), factors such as death of crops, lack of fresh water, lack of discipline, and illness led to difficulty in maintaining the colonization of the area. Furthermore, due to political concerns, the capital of French Louisiana was moved to [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]] in 1701; the fort was abandoned by 1702. Despite a temporary move of the capital to [[Biloxi, Mississippi|Biloxi]] during the construction of [[New Orleans]], previous failures kept the area from playing a further role in French colonization efforts in the region.<ref name="Failed Enterprise" />
The French settlers found the area to be difficult to maintain a settlement. According to Bunn & Williams (2007), factors such as death of crops, lack of fresh water, lack of discipline, and illness led to difficulty in maintaining the colonization of the area. Furthermore, due to political concerns, the capital of French Louisiana was moved to [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]] in 1701; the fort was abandoned by 1702. Despite a temporary move of the capital to [[Biloxi, Mississippi|Biloxi]] during the construction of [[New Orleans]], previous failures kept the area from playing a further role in French colonization efforts in the region.<ref name="Failed Enterprise" />
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As of May 2019, there are 126 K-12 schools spread across 16 school districts, which serve students in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region.
As of May 2019, there are 126 K-12 schools spread across 16 school districts, which serve students in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region.


In addition, the [[Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College]] offers associate degree and career programs. The [[University of Southern Mississippi#Gulf Park campus|University of Southern Mississippi]] has a branch located in Long Beach, Mississippi which offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
In addition, [[Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College]] offers associate degrees and career programs. The [[University of Southern Mississippi#Gulf Park campus|University of Southern Mississippi]] has a branch (Gulf Park campus) located in Long Beach, Mississippi which offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gulf Park Campus {{!}} University {{!}} The University of Southern Mississippi |url=https://www.usm.edu/university/gulf-park-campus.php |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=www.usm.edu}}</ref> In 2009, [[William Carey University]] opened its Tradition campus located off [[Mississippi Highway 67]] in rural Harrison County<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noonkester |first=Myron C. |date=July 11, 2017 |title=William Carey University |url=https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/william-carey-university/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Mississippi Encyclopedia |language=en-US}}</ref> and offers multidisciplinary educational programs at the undergraduate and master's level, as well as a doctoral program in pharmacy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tradition Campus Academics {{!}} William Carey University |url=https://wmcarey.edu/campus/tradition/academics |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=wmcarey.edu}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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==Notable people==
==Notable people==
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf]], aka Chris Wayne Jackson, former NBA Player<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=David |title=NBA guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf house goes up in flames |url=https://www.newson6.com/story/5e3681742f69d76f62095c5c/nba-guard-mahmoud-abdulrauf-house-goes-up-in-flames |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.newson6.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf]], former NBA player<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=David |title=NBA guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf house goes up in flames |url=https://www.newson6.com/story/5e3681742f69d76f62095c5c/nba-guard-mahmoud-abdulrauf-house-goes-up-in-flames |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.newson6.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Jeramey Anderson]], American politician
* [[Jeramey Anderson]], American politician
* [[Walter Inglis Anderson]], painter, writer, and [[naturalist]]
* [[Walter Inglis Anderson]], painter, writer, and [[naturalist]]
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* [[Manly Barton]], American politician
* [[Manly Barton]], American politician
* [[William Joel Blass]], American politician
* [[William Joel Blass]], American politician
* [[Milt Bolling]], American baseball player
* [[John Bond Jr.]], American politician
* [[John Bond Jr.]], American politician
* [[Devin Booker]], NBA shooting guard
* [[Devin Booker]], NBA shooting guard
* [[Charles Busby (politician)|Charles Busby]], American politician
* [[Cyril Edward Cain]], American educator and historian
* [[Joseph Hilliard Cain Sr.]], American politician
* [[Joseph Hilliard Cain Sr.]], American politician
* [[Joel Carter]], American politician
* [[Carolyn Crawford]], American politician
* [[Varina Davis]], First Lady of the [[Confederate States of America]]
* [[Varina Davis]], First Lady of the [[Confederate States of America]]
* [[Scott DeLano]], American politician
* [[Jeremy England (politician)|Jeremy England]], American politician
* [[Casey Eure]], American politician
* [[Casey Eure]], American politician
* [[Mike Ezell]], American politician
* [[Mike Ezell]], American politician
* [[Brett Favre]], NFL quarterback
* [[Brett Favre]], NFL quarterback
* [[Kevin Felsher]], American politician
* [[Boyce Holleman]], American politician
* [[Boyce Holleman]], American politician
* [[Jeffrey Hulum III]], American politician
* [[Prentiss Ingraham]], [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] soldier and writer
* [[Prentiss Ingraham]], [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] soldier and writer
* [[Eugene Antonio Marino]], Archbishop emeritus of [[Atlanta]]
* [[Eugene Antonio Marino]], Archbishop emeritus of [[Atlanta]]
* [[George Austin McHenry]], Mississippi pioneer and physician
* [[Jay McKnight (politician)|Jay McKnight]], American politician
* [[Jay McKnight (politician)|Jay McKnight]], American politician
* [[Stevon Moore]], American football player
* [[Jack Nelson (journalist)|Jack Nelson]], [[Pulitzer Prize]] winning journalist of the [[Civil Rights]] era
* [[Jack Nelson (journalist)|Jack Nelson]], [[Pulitzer Prize]] winning journalist of the [[Civil Rights]] era
* [[George E. Ohr]], ceramic artist
* [[George E. Ohr]], ceramic artist
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* [[John Read (Mississippi politician)|John Read]], American politician
* [[John Read (Mississippi politician)|John Read]], American politician
* [[Brittney Reese]], Olympic long jumper
* [[Brittney Reese]], Olympic long jumper
* [[Robin Roberts (newscaster)|Robin Roberts]], [[ABC News]] anchor
* [[Robin Roberts (newscaster)|Robin Roberts]], [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] anchor
* [[Mike Seymour (Mississippi politician)|Mike Seymour]], American politician
* [[Larkin I. Smith]], American politician
* [[Larkin I. Smith]], American politician
* [[Gene Taylor (Mississippi politician)|Gene Taylor]], American politician
* [[Gene Taylor (Mississippi politician)|Gene Taylor]], American politician
* [[Mike Thompson (Mississippi politician)|Mike Thompson]], American politician
* [[Jesmyn Ward]], author and recipient of the 2011 and the 2017 [[National Book Award]]s for fiction
* [[Fannie C. Williams]], educator
* [[Jesmyn Ward]], American writer
* [[Brice Wiggins]], American politician
⚫
* [[William Woodward (artist)|William Woodward]], artist
* [[Fannie C. Williams]], American educator
⚫
* [[William Woodward (artist)|William Woodward]], American artist
{{div col end}}


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 21:59, 5 August 2024

Mississippi Gulf Coast
Region
Locations along the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Clockwise from top: Ingalls Shipbuilding, the Biloxi Beach, the Dantzler House, Beauvoir, the Beau Rivage Casino, the Bay Saint Louis Bridge, the USM Gulf Park, the Hard Rock Casino Biloxi, and Saint John's Epispocal Church
Nickname: 
The Coast
Location of MS Gulf Coast
Map of Mississippi with the Gulf Coast region highlighted. The counties in red correspond to the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula MSA. Pearl River County (blue), a part of Greater New Orleans, is included in the geographical definition which includes all of Mississippi south of 31° N.
Area
[1][a]
 • Total2,764,358 acres (1,118,696 ha)
Dimensions
[2]
 • Length80 mi (130 km)
 • Width55 mi (89 km)
Population
 (April 1, 2010)[3]
 • Total370,702
 • Estimate 
(2018)
397,261
 • Density86/sq mi (33/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code228
Websitewww.gulfcoast.org

The Mississippi Gulf Coast, also known as Mississippi Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast region, Coastal Mississippi, and The Coast, is the area of Mississippi along the Mississippi Sound at the northern extreme of the Gulf of Mexico.

Geography

[edit]

At the state's creation, Hancock and Jackson were the only two counties to make up this region. However, before the end of the first centennial, subdivisions in the counties led to the formation of Harrison County, as well as the pineywoods counties of Pearl River, Stone and George.[2]

Cities

[edit]

The Mississippi Gulf Coast consists of many cities that lie directly on the Mississippi Sound. The U. S. Census Bureau divided the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2003, which previously consisted of the three coastal counties (Hancock; Harrison; Jackson), into two MSAs that included two additional counties (George; Stone). Cities in the new Metropolitan Statistical Area include the original French settlements Biloxi and Ocean Springs, as well as Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead, Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, D'Iberville, Gautier, Pascagoula, Moss Point, Lucedale, and Wiggins.

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

The Biloxi people lived in the region at least as early as 1699.

Colonial History

[edit]
Pierre Lemoyne and company disembarking on Ship Island in the Mississippi Sound

In 1699, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville arrived to establish a colony near the mouth of the Mississippi River. He landed on the Ship Island, and three days later, arrived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, establishing a colony and building Fort Maurepas, which served as the first capital of French Louisiana. The fort became a base of operations to continue exploring the area.[4]

The French settlers found the area to be difficult to maintain a settlement. According to Bunn & Williams (2007), factors such as death of crops, lack of fresh water, lack of discipline, and illness led to difficulty in maintaining the colonization of the area. Furthermore, due to political concerns, the capital of French Louisiana was moved to Mobile in 1701; the fort was abandoned by 1702. Despite a temporary move of the capital to Biloxi during the construction of New Orleans, previous failures kept the area from playing a further role in French colonization efforts in the region.[4]

Statehood and Antebellum Period

[edit]

When Mississippi entered the Union in 1817, the majority of the population lived in Northern parts of the state. At statehood, the population of the coast comprised 2.5% of the state's total. Likewise, the Census lists only 586 of the state's 30,061 slaves as living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.[2] After statehood, the coastal regions remained a frontier, with cultural influences coming from the Mediterranean area. According to Kenneth P'Pool, deputy historic preservation officer at MDAH, "The Coast's situation along ... the Gulf of Mexico — both facilitated the region's ethnic diversity and maintained its ties to the rest of the world much more easily than was possible for other regions of [Mississippi]."[2]

Civil War

[edit]

Fort Massachusetts, on Ship Island, was seized during the American Civil War.

Twentieth century

[edit]

In the 20th century, Keesler Air Force Base brought development to the region. Hurricane Camille on August 17, 1969, and Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005 caused historic destruction to the Gulf Coast. Originally dubbed "America's Riviera", the Mississippi Gulf Coast gained prominence in the early 1900's as a gambling and tourist mecca, an alternative to Florida as a warm, actively fun area with gaming (although illegal at the time, it was allowed at certain resorts) and home to the longest manmade beach in the world. Golfing also became a strong draw to snowbirds looking to play their game of choice all year long. During the early 90's, gaming was made legal in the two coastal counties of Harrison and Hancock. This brought a new era of growth with Vegas style gaming hotel and casinos; along with this, condo towers started to dot the coast as it became the 2nd largest gaming area in the US based on gaming space alone. After a brief disruption brought on by Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Gulf Coast bounced back quickly, even faster than New Orleans, despite massive destruction.

Education

[edit]

As of May 2019, there are 126 K-12 schools spread across 16 school districts, which serve students in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region.

In addition, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers associate degrees and career programs. The University of Southern Mississippi has a branch (Gulf Park campus) located in Long Beach, Mississippi which offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs.[5] In 2009, William Carey University opened its Tradition campus located off Mississippi Highway 67 in rural Harrison County[6] and offers multidisciplinary educational programs at the undergraduate and master's level, as well as a doctoral program in pharmacy.[7]

District Achievement Rating[8][b] Number of Schools[8][c]
Harrison County School District B 20
Hancock County School District B 6
Pearl River County School District B 4
George County School District B 8
Stone County School District B 4
Jackson County School District B 13
Gulfport School District B 10
Biloxi Public School District A 8
Ocean Springs School District A 6
Picayune School District C 9
Pascagoula-Gautier School District B 17
Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District C 4
Long Beach School District A 5
Pass Christian Public School District A 4
Poplarville School District A 4
Moss Point Separate School District D 4

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Adding up the individual areas of Pearl River, Stone, George, Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties, the six counties below the 31st parallel mentioned in the reference from the Sun Herald, and converting from square miles to acres provides this result.
  2. ^ Enter school district name into search box.
  3. ^ The reference lists individual schools at the bottom of each school district's result page.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "County Explorer". National Association of Counties. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Bergeron, Kat (March 30, 2017). "The Coast from 1817 to 1917: From frontier to tourist destination". SunHearld. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  3. ^ "Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula Metro: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 more information 2018 Population Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Bunn, J. Michael; Williams, Clay (September 2007). "A Failed Enterprise: The French Colonial Period in Mississippi | Mississippi History Now". www.mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov. Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  5. ^ "Gulf Park Campus | University | The University of Southern Mississippi". www.usm.edu. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  6. ^ Noonkester, Myron C. (July 11, 2017). "William Carey University". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "Tradition Campus Academics | William Carey University". wmcarey.edu. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Mississippi Succeeds Report Card". Mississippi Succeeds Report Card. Mississippi Department of Education. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  9. ^ Griffin, David. "NBA guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf house goes up in flames". www.newson6.com. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
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