Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area facts for kids
The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area is a special place along the Gulf coast of Mississippi. It's an area that the United States government has recognized for its unique culture and beautiful scenery. This special designation helps to promote and share the region's stories and attractions. It's all about celebrating what makes this part of Mississippi so unique!
Contents
Exploring the Mississippi Gulf Coast Heritage Area
The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area is a federally recognized region. It helps protect and share the history, culture, and natural beauty of the area. This designation encourages people to visit and learn about the region. It also supports efforts to preserve important sites and traditions.
What is a National Heritage Area?
A National Heritage Area is a place where natural, cultural, and historic resources come together. They form a nationally important landscape. These areas are not like national parks. Instead, they are places where people live and work. They tell a story about the American experience. The government works with local communities to preserve these stories. They also help to promote tourism and education.
Where is the Mississippi Gulf Coast Heritage Area?
This special heritage area covers six counties in Mississippi. These counties are Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. It also includes the Mississippi part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This seashore is a beautiful stretch of islands and waters. It is known for its white sand beaches and clear waters.
Rebuilding After Hurricane Katrina
In 2005, a very powerful storm called Hurricane Katrina hit the area. It caused a lot of damage to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Many buildings and historical sites were destroyed or badly hurt. Since then, a lot of the work in the National Heritage Area has focused on recovery. This means helping the communities rebuild. It also involves saving and fixing important buildings and cultural treasures. These efforts help to bring the region back to life.
How the Heritage Area Was Created
The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area was officially created in December 2004. It was established by a special law called Public Law 108-447. This law showed that the United States government recognized the importance of this region. It also provided support for its preservation and promotion.
