Kansas has a unique geography.

Other states surround Kansas. Nebraska to the north, Missouri to the east, Oklahoma to the south, and Colorado to the west. Most of Kansas forms part of the Great Plains of North America, featuring a flat plain broken only by low hills. Eastern Kansas makes up the exception, however, and features taller hills and more rugged terrain.

The predominantly flat terrain has given the state the reputation of the flattest state in the USA. A commentator in 2003 even described Kansas as “flatter than a pancake”. Scientists disagree, however, with their own studies showing that Kansas counts as the 23rd flattest state in the USA.

Mount Sunflower makes up the state’s highest point.

Despite its name, scientists don’t consider Mount Sunflower as a proper mountain. Instead, the name simply sticks out of common use by the public, while remaining the highest point in Kansas. Mount Sunflower doesn’t even stand apart from the surrounding landscape. The land just rises gently up towards its peak, which stands around 1.2 km above sea level.

Mount Sunflower today makes up private property, owned by Ed and Cindy Harold. In recognition of the site’s importance, they allow and even encourage visitors to come to Mount Sunflower. Its peak features a picnic table, a sunflower sculpture, a memorial plaque, and even a small library.

Kansas’ Monument Rocks enjoy fame.

They’re also known as the Chalk Pyramids, which is a reference to its naturally-formed chalk formations. Located in Kansas’ Gove County, they go back 80 million years ago, the Cretaceous Period. At the time, what would become Kansas lay underwater, in the Western Interior Seaway which split North America into two.

Today the Monument Rocks reach up to 21 meters high and feature natural arches and buttes. Historically, they became the first landmark in Kansas designated by the US Department of the Interior as a Natural Landmark in 1968. And as of 2008, they are designated as one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas.