Cities In Tennessee - Quick Facts, History & Geography
Tennessee Quick Facts
Tennessee became the 16th state of the United States on June 1, 1796. There are a total of 346 municipalities (cities and towns) in the state of Tennessee. Tennessee is the 36th largest state by land area and the 15th largest state by population. The capital city of Tennessee is Nashville and it is also the largest city with a population of 667,070. Tennessee is known by several nicknames, including the "Volunteer State" due to the state's volunteer soldiers' contributions during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War. Tennessee is often referred to as the "Birthplace of Country Music" and the "Home of the Blues." Cities like Nashville and Memphis are renowned for their musical contributions. Memphis is known for its rich cultural history, particularly as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and the home of legendary musicians like Elvis Presley. The iconic Beale Street is a hub of musical and cultural activity. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, shared with North Carolina, is the most visited national park in the United States, offering breathtaking natural beauty, hiking trails, and wildlife. Lynchburg is home to the world-famous Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey distillery, known for its distinctive charcoal filtering process. Tennessee is known for its culinary delights, including its barbecue, Southern comfort food, and unique regional dishes. National folk hero Davy Crockett was born in Tennessee back in 1786. Tennessee is a landlocked state. Almost half of Tennessee is farmland with almost 80,000 farms sitting on more than 11 million acres of land. Famous people from Tennessee include Dolly Parton, Johnny Knoxville, Morgan Freeman, Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Megan Fox, Quentin Tarantino and Miley Cirus.
The History of Tennessee
Prior to European exploration, the region that is now Tennessee was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek and Shawnee. European explorers, including Hernando de Soto and Tristan de Luna, ventured into the area in the 16th century. Spanish, French and British explorers established relationships with Native American tribes while seeking to expand their territorial claims. The French and Indian War (1754-1763) led to British control of the region. After the Revolutionary War, the area became part of the Southwest Territory, created in 1790. In the 1830s, the forced removal of Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands to present-day Oklahoma resulted in the tragic Trail of Tears. Many died during this brutal journey. Tennessee's location made it a significant battleground during the American Civil War. Following the Civil War, Tennessee was the first Confederate state to rejoin the Union in 1866. African Americans gained political rights and representation during Reconstruction. The state was also a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis in 1968 underscored the struggle for racial equality. Today, Tennessee continues to be a center of cultural and musical heritage. It also boasts a diverse economy, with industries ranging from agriculture and manufacturing to technology and healthcare.
The Geography of Tennessee
Tennessee is landlocked and bordered by 8 states including Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. The eastern part of Tennessee is dominated by the Appalachian Mountains, including the Great Smoky Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its biodiversity, hiking trails and scenic beauty. Between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River, Tennessee features fertile valleys and plateaus. The Tennessee Valley, formed by the Tennessee River, is known for its agricultural productivity and includes cities like Chattanooga. The western part of the state is characterized by the flatlands along the Mississippi River. The Nashville Basin is a geological region that encompasses the central part of the state. The Cumberland Plateau is a rugged region situated between the Nashville Basin and the Appalachian Mountains. The Tennessee River flows through the state, providing water resources, recreation, and navigation. Major cities like Nashville, the capital and Memphis are key geographical landmarks. Nashville is known for its music scene and cultural attractions, while Memphis is famous for its historical significance, blues heritage, and the Mississippi River. Tennessee is home to numerous caves, including the well-known Ruby Falls and Cumberland Caverns.
Tennessee Relocation Guide
Cities in Tennessee are large enough and diverse enough to offer lots of things to lots of people. With bigger cities like Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis to its credit, the state has lots to offer. Memphis and Nashville specifically are home to lots of musical history and many of the local attractions center on that musical presence. Nashville is the home of country music, while Memphis is known more for the blues. On Beale Street in Memphis, people can enjoy lots of culture, as well as excellent food. Tennessee also has its share of top notch colleges around the state, so apartment living is a reality for many people in Tennessee.
Housing options vary depending upon what part of Tennessee you are looking at. Many people choose Nashville because of all its great suburbs and the housing opportunities there. In the larger Tennessee cities, jobs are available for those people who are qualified. A good number of large businesses call Tennessee home, so this helps a great deal. As for the weather, Tennessee is one of those states that can see extremes. In the summer, it can get very hot, and in the winter, you can see snow in some parts of the state.
Crime in cities in Tennessee come in above the national average by about 35%. Larger cities like Nashville and Memphis aren't doing much to help as they are driving up the overall crime rates. There are still many safe cities like Tennessee like Spring Hill and Franklin that offer up a very safe place to call home.
