Capital: Topeka

State abbreviation/Postal code: Kans./KS

Governor: Kathleen Sebelius, D (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: Mark Parkinson, D (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Sam Brownback, R (to Jan. 2011); Pat Roberts, R (to Jan. 2009)

U.S. Representatives: 4

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Ron Thornburgh, R (to Jan. 2011)

Treasurer: Lynn Jenkins, R (to Jan. 2011)

Atty. General: Paul Morrison, D (to Jan. 2011)

Organized as territory: May 30, 1854

Entered Union (rank): Jan. 29, 1861 (34)

Present constitution adopted: 1859

Motto: Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulties)

State symbols:

Nicknames: Sunflower State; Jayhawk State

Origin of name: From a Sioux word meaning �people of the south wind�

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Wichita, 354,865; Overland Park, 164,811; Kansas City, 144,210; Topeka, 121,946; Olathe, 111,334; Lawrence, 81,816; Shawnee, 57,628; Manhattan, 48,668; Salina, 45,956; Lenexa, 43,434

Land area: 81,815 sq mi. (211,901 sq km)

Geographic center: In Barton Co., 15 mi. NE of Great Bend

Number of counties: 105

Largest county by population and area: Johnson, 506,562 (2005); Butler, 1,428 sq mi.

State parks: 24

Residents: Kansan

2005 resident population est.: 2,744,687

2000 resident census population (rank): 2,688,418 (32). Male: 1,328,474 (49.4%); Female: 1,359,944 (50.6%). White: 2,313,944 (86.1%); Black: 154,198 (5.7%); American Indian: 24,936 (0.9%); Asian: 46,806 (1.7%); Other race: 90,725 (3.4%); Two or more races: 56,496 (2.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 188,252 (7.0%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 73.5; 65 and over: 13.3; median age: 35.2.

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