【Name】State of Kansas, KS, also called as the “Sunflower State”. The name was originated from the Native American tribe, meaning “people of the (south) wind”.

【Geography】The state has a total area of 213,100 square kilometers, ranking the 15th-largest by area in the United States. It is located in the Midwestern United States, has a generally flat surface, and is the geographic center of the contiguous United States.

【Population】The population is approximately 2.977 million (2025 data), ranking 34th in the United States. Racial and ethnic composition: White 72.3%, Hispanic or Latino 13%, Black or African American 5.6%, Asian 2.9%, Native American 0.8%, and other 5.4%. 

【History】On May 30, 1854, the Kansas–Nebraska Act became law, establishing the Kansas Territory. And the state of Iowa was admitted to the Union on January 29, 1861, as the 34th state of the United States. Owing to its favorable geographical location, it became a key region for the U.S. westward expansion, as well as the development of railroads, agriculture, and livestock farming. The outbreak of World War II spurred the rapid growth in aircraft manufacturing, and the aerospace sector became a significant portion of its economy.

【Politics】The current governor is Laura Jeanne Kelly. The capital is Topeka, and its mayor is Spencer Duncan. The largest city is Wichita, and its mayor is Lily Wu.

【Economy】Kansas is a major agricultural and aerospace manufacturing state in the United States, with strong sectors in wheat, corn, beef, food processing, aerospace, transportation equipment, and energy. The state is also seeing rapid growth in oil and natural gas extraction as well as wind power generation.

In 2025, its nominal GDP was approximately $241.4 billion, ranking 33rd in the United States, with real GDP growth of 2.0%; per capita GDP was approximately $81,075, ranking 27th in the United States; and total exports of goods amounted to $14.6 billion. The total trade volume with China reached USD 1.667 billion, including USD 1.191 billion in imports from China and USD 477 million in exports to China.

【Sister Cities with China】Kansas and China’s Henan Province established a sister state relationship in 1981. Sister city relationships were established between Wichita and Kaifeng (1985) and Hays and Xinzheng (2005).