TENNESSEE
Tennessee is the 16th U.S. state, admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796, and is famously known as “The Volunteer State”.
Quick Facts & Overview
- Capital and Largest Cities: Nashville is the state capital, and Memphis is the largest city. Other major urban centers include Knoxville and Chattanooga.
- Geography: The state stretches over 440 miles from east to west and is divided into three distinct grand divisions: East, Middle, and West Tennessee.
- Borders: It shares a border with eight different states (Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri), tying with Missouri for the most neighboring states in the U.S.
- Elevation Extremes: The highest point is Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) at 6,643 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains, while the lowest point is along the Mississippi River at 178 feet.
- Population: The estimated population is over 7.3 million residents.
Culture & Landmarks
- Music Capital: Nashville is globally recognized as the heart of country music, home to the historic Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Memphis is legendary for its deep blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll history, including Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
- National Parks & Nature: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park—straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina—is the most-visited national park in the United States. The state also features thousands of documented caves, including Ruby Falls and The Lost Sea.
- American History: Memphis houses the National Civil Rights Museum at the historic Lorraine Motel. Nashville also features a full-scale replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon.
- Tennessee Whiskey: The state is the exclusive home of authentic Tennessee whiskey, distinct for its “Lincoln County Process” charcoal filtering (such as Jack Daniel’s in Lynchburg).
