Kansas is a Great Plains state in the United States. The state is named after the Kansas River that flows through it, which in turn derived its name from the Siouan word Kansa meaning "People of the south wind."

Located in the heartland of the country, Kansas is home to the geographical center of the contiguous United States. Historically home to large numbers of Native Americans who hunted buffalo there, the state was first settled by white Americans in the 1850s. Beginning in 1854, abolitionists from New England and pro-slavery settlers from neighboring Missouri rushed to the territory to determine if Kansas would become a free state. Known as Bleeding Kansas, the state was a hotbed of violence and chaos in its early days as these forces collided. In 1861 Kansas entered the Union as a free state. After the Civil War, the population of Kansas exploded as wave after wave of immigrants turned the desolate prairie into productive farmland. Today Kansas is one of the most productive agricultural states, leading the nation in wheat production.

Geography

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Kansas is bordered by Nebraska on the north; Missouri on the east; Oklahoma on the south; and Colorado on the west. It is located equidistant from the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. The geodetic center of North America is located in Osborne County. This spot is used as the central reference point for all maps produced by the government. The geographic center of the 48 contiguous states is located in Smith County near Lebanon, Kansas, and the geographic center of Kansas is located in Barton County.

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NYT > University of Kansas

Kansas Coach Quits Under Fire
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Mark Mangino resigned two years after leading the Jayhawks to the greatest season in their football history.
Steady Guard Guides Spartans Past Kansas
By JONATHAN ABRAMS Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
After being harassed and bothered for the entire first half, Kalin Lucas delivered for Michigan State in the final minutes, helping the Spartans knock off the defending champions, the Kansas Jayhawks.
Round of 16 Is Heavy on Favorites, Low on Charm
By PETE THAMEL Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
All of the remaining teams resonate as recognizable college basketball brands.
Kansas Shrugs Off Dayton to Reach Round of 16
By PAT BORZI Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
Cole Aldrich posted a triple-double with 13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocked shots to lead the defending N.C.A.A. champions past the 11th-seeded Flyers.
Kansas Holds Off Upset-Minded Bisons
By PAT BORZI Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
North Dakota State guard Ben Woodside kept the game close, but No. 3 seed Kansas had too much Cole Aldrich, too much athleticism and too much depth.
Baylor Stuns No. 11 Kansas in Big 12 Tournament
By THAYER EVANS Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
Top-seeded Kansas failed to live up to its reputation in a 71-64 loss against ninth-seeded Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.

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