The Mississippi Territory was a region established by the United States in 1798, encompassing parts of present-day Mississippi and Alabama. It was created to promote settlement and governance in the area, which was previously part of the larger Southwest Territory. The territory was officially organized in 1800 and played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States. The territory was divided into two counties: Adams and Warren. It became a state in 1817, when Mississippi was admitted to the Union as the 20th state. The Mississippi Territory was important for agriculture, particularly cotton, and contributed to the economic development of the region.