where is the mississippi river

The Mississippi River is located in the central United States, starting at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and flowing south to empty into the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. It passes through or forms the border of 10 U.S. states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The river has a total length of about 2,320 to 2,340 miles and is a major waterway with significant ecological, economic, and cultural importance. Notable cities along the river include Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans.