Language

English is the language of Mississippi, though locals speak it with a discernable southern drawl. This means words are often drawn out with long vowels or merged together. It can be a little tricky to understand at first, but most visitors enjoy the unique dialect once they get used to it.

Currency

The currency in Mississippi is the US dollar (US $). Banknotes come in denominations of US $1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. There are 100 cents to each dollar with coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents. Banks will be the easiest place to cash traveler’s checks or exchange foreign currency, though you may need to find a branch in one of the bigger cities like Jackson or Biloxi. Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are accepted everywhere, but rural mom and pop shops, but ATMs are common in bank lobbies and inside large stores like supermarkets.

Time

Mississippi is in the Central Time Zone (GMT -6, GMT -5 between March 12 and November 4 during daylight savings).

Electricity

Mississippi uses electricity at 110-120 V, 60 Hz. Flat two-prong plugs are typical, so it is recommended that you travel with a universal plug adapter if you are from Europe or Asia.

Communications

The dialing code for the United States is +1. There are four area codes used in different parts of Mississippi including 228, which serves the entire Gulf Coast region. Northern Mississippi uses 662, while Jackson and the rest of the southern part of the state uses either 601 or 769. It may be hard to find Wi-Fi hotspots, though larger cities like Jackson, Oxford and Natchez should have several options. Cell phone coverage is pretty good throughout most of the state, especially in places where tourists tend to travel.

Duty-free

Every passenger over the age of 18 that enters the United States is allowed to carry one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes (or 50 non-Cuban cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco), and gifts valued up to US $400 tax-free.

Tourist Office

Mississippi Tourism Division: PO Box 849, Jackson, MS 39205 +1-601-359-3297, http://www.visitmississippi.org/.

Consulates serving Mississippi

Canadian Consulate, Atlanta: +1-404-532-2000
German Consulate, Atlanta: +1-404-659-4760
Netherlands Consulate, Miami: +1-877-388-2443
French Consulate, Atlanta: +1-404-495-1660
Australian Consulate, Washington DC: +1-202-797-3008
British Consulate, Atlanta: +1-404-954-7700

Emergency

Emergency services: 911