On January 29th, 1861 Kansas joined the union as the 34th state. Here are some quick facts about the “Sunflower State”:
- Capital: Topeka
- Population: 2,853,118 (2010/33rd)
- Area: 82,264 square miles (14th)
- Name Origin: Sioux word meaning “people of the south wind”
- State Flower: Wild Sunflower
- State Bird: Western Meadowlark
- State Tree: Cottonwood
Image of flag from 50states.com.