Tennessee

Tennessee is a landlocked state in the Southeastern United States.

It is the 36th-largest state by area. It is also the 15th-most populous state in the country. The 2024 population estimate is 7.22 million people. Tennessee is surrounded by many other states. Kentucky is to the north. Virginia and North Carolina are to the northeast and east. Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi border the south. Arkansas and Missouri sit to the west and northwest.

The state is divided into three Grand Divisions. These are East, Middle, and West Tennessee. Each region has its own unique landscape and culture.

The geography of Tennessee changes significantly from east to west. In the east, the Blue Ridge Mountains reach very high elevations.

This area includes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the most visited national park in the United States. The Cumberland Plateau is another major feature in the east. It contains many scenic valleys and waterfalls.

The central part of the state features irregular rolling hills. It also has cavernous bedrock. West Tennessee is very different from the mountains. It is defined by level and fertile plains.

The Tennessee River bisects the state twice. The Mississippi River forms the western border.

The name Tennessee has deep roots in Indigenous history. It comes from the Cherokee town of Tanasi.

This town was located on the Little Tennessee River. Some research suggests the name comes from the Yuchi word Tana-tsee-dgee. This means "brother-waters-place" or "where-the-waters-meet." Spanish explorers encountered a village named Tanasqui in 1567. However, it is unclear if this was the same settlement. Governor James Glen used the modern spelling in the 1750s. The name was officially adopted when the state formed in 1796.

Human history in the region began about 12,000 years ago. Paleo-Indians were the first inhabitants during the Last Glacial Period.

Archaeologists have identified several distinct cultural phases. These include the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods. During the Woodland period, people grew squash, corn, and sunflowers. They also domesticated dogs. The Mississippian period saw rapid civilizational development. Indigenous peoples built organized chiefdoms and ceremonial structures. By the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors encountered these groups. Later, the Cherokee migrated into eastern Tennessee during the 17th century. They lived in settlements known as the Overhill Cherokee.

European exploration and settlement changed the region's structure. Spanish explorers like Hernando de Soto arrived in the 1540s. French traders later explored the Cumberland River valley. In 1714, they established a fur trading settlement at French Lick. This area eventually became the city of Nashville. British settlers built Fort Loudoun in 1756.

This was the first British settlement in the area. In 1772, settlers formed the Watauga Association. This was a semi-autonomous representative government. It is considered the first constitutional government west of the Appalachian Mountains. Tennessee eventually became the 16th state on June 1, 1796. It is known as "The Volunteer State" because of its military tradition.

Tennessee's economy underwent a massive shift in the 20th century. It moved from a predominantly agrarian society to a diversified one.

Federal investment played a major role in this change. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) helped develop the region.

During World War II, the city of Oak Ridge was established. It housed uranium enrichment facilities for the Manhattan Project.

These facilities helped build the first atomic bombs. After the war, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory became a research center.

Today, the state has many different economic sectors. These include health care, finance, and the automotive industry.

Culture and music are central to the identity of Tennessee. The state helped develop many popular music genres. These include country, blues, rock and roll, soul, and gospel.

Nashville is the state capital and its largest city. It serves as a major anchor for its metropolitan area.

Tourism is also a major part of the economy. People visit for the music and the natural landmarks. Agriculture remains important for the state as well. Farmers produce cattle, soybeans, poultry, corn, and cotton. Tennessee continues to be a significant part of the American landscape.