# Tennessee

> state of the United States of America

**Wikidata**: [Q1509](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1509)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tennessee

## Summary
Tennessee is a state of the United States of America, located primarily in North America and forming part of the contiguous United States. It is classified as a U.S. state and was preceded by the Southwest Territory.

## Key Facts
*   Tennessee is a state of the United States of America.
*   It is located primarily in North America.
*   Tennessee is part of the contiguous United States.
*   Its inception date is June 1, 1796 (+1796-06-01T00:00:00Z).
*   The state's coordinates are approximately 36 degrees North latitude and 86 degrees West longitude.
*   Historical population figures include 6,346,105, 5,689,283, 4,877,185, 4,591,120, 3,923,687, 3,567,089, 3,291,718, 2,915,841, 2,616,556, 2,337,885, 2,184,789, 6,600,299, and 6,910,840.
*   Its official website is https://www.tn.gov/.
*   Aliases for Tennessee include State of Tennessee, TN, Volunteer State, Tenn., US-TN, and The Volunteer State.
*   The state is associated with 223 sitelinks.
*   It was preceded by the Southwest Territory, which existed between 1790 and 1796.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical location of Tennessee?**
Tennessee is a state within the United States of America, situated primarily in North America. It is considered part of the contiguous United States and is also a component of the East South Central states region.

**What are some of the significant natural features found in Tennessee?**
Tennessee is home to various natural features including the Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains, Cumberland Mountains, and Great Smoky Mountains, as well as plateaus like the Appalachian Plateau and Cumberland Plateau. It also features numerous rivers such as the Cumberland, Little Tennessee, Holston, Duck, Hatchie, Elk, Powell, Clinch, Nolichucky, and Red River, alongside lakes like Cherokee, Boone, Norris, and Pickwick. Notable waterfalls include Rockhouse Falls, Cane Creek Cascades, Fall Creek Falls, Cane Creek Falls, Piney Creek Falls, Coon Creek Falls, and Ruby Falls.

**What historical events or sites are associated with Tennessee?**
Tennessee has a rich history, including the 1925 Scopes Trial, the existence of the former State of Franklin (1784-1788), and the 1863 Knoxville Campaign during the American Civil War. It also played a role in the Manhattan Project with sites like the Y-12 National Security Complex, Clinton Engineer Works, K-25, and S-50. Fort Watauga is another historical site, and the former Cherokee town of Tanasi was located in Monroe County.

**What are some key infrastructure and transportation elements in Tennessee?**
The state's infrastructure includes several Interstate Highways such as I-24, I-26, I-40, I-55, I-65, I-69, I-75, and I-81, along with U.S. Routes 11, 27, 41, 43, and 72. It hosts numerous airports like McGhee Tyson, Humboldt Municipal, Millington Regional Jetport, Greeneville-Greene County Municipal, Everett-Stewart Regional, Winchester Municipal, McMinn County, Collegedale Municipal, Covington Municipal, Houston County, Campbell County, Ellington, Knoxville Downtown Island, Rockwood Municipal, Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional, Centerville Municipal, Humphreys County, Elizabethton Municipal, Franklin County, Carroll County, Livingston Municipal, General DeWitt Spain, Henry County, Fayette County, Warren County Memorial, Tri-Cities Regional, Dallas Bay Skypark, Arnold Field, John C. Tune, Charles W. Baker, and Smyrna Airport. The Hernando de Soto Bridge and Memphis & Arkansas Bridge are also significant.

**What educational and research institutions are located in Tennessee?**
Tennessee is home to East Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and the University of Tennessee. It also hosts advanced research facilities such as the Spallation Neutron Source, High Flux Isotope Reactor, and the Frontier supercomputer, all located in Oak Ridge.

## Why It Matters
Tennessee holds significant importance as a constituent state of the United States, contributing to the nation's diverse geography, history, and economy. Its varied landscapes, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau, offer rich natural resources and recreational opportunities, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Historically, Tennessee played a crucial role in pivotal moments such as the American Civil War (Knoxville Campaign) and the development of atomic energy through the Manhattan Project sites like Y-12, Clinton Engineer Works, K-25, and S-50. Culturally, it is a cornerstone of American music, being home to the Country Music Association and the Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum, and is renowned for its unique Tennessee whiskey. Economically, the state hosts major manufacturing operations like the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant and Gibson Brands, alongside a robust network of transportation infrastructure and educational institutions that drive innovation and development.

## Notable For
*   Being home to the Y-12 National Security Complex, Clinton Engineer Works, K-25, and S-50, key sites in the Manhattan Project.
*   Hosting the 1925 Scopes Trial, a landmark legal case concerning the teaching of evolution.
*   Encompassing a significant portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
*   Featuring numerous notable waterfalls including Fall Creek Falls, Rockhouse Falls, Cane Creek Cascades, Piney Creek Falls, Coon Creek Falls, and Ruby Falls.
*   Being the origin of Tennessee whiskey and home to the George Dickel brand.
*   Housing the headquarters of Gibson Brands, a prominent American guitar manufacturer, and the Country Music Association.
*   The presence of major automotive manufacturing with the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant.
*   Its diverse mountainous terrain, including the Appalachian, Blue Ridge, Cumberland, and Great Smoky Mountains, as well as specific peaks like Kuwohi, Big Frog Mountain, Mount Le Conte, and Silers Bald.
*   Serving as a location for the Super Outbreak, a major tornado event in April 1974.
*   Being the namesake for the chemical element tennessine and two USS Tennessee battleships/submarines.
*   The location of the Spallation Neutron Source, High Flux Isotope Reactor, and the Frontier supercomputer in Oak Ridge.

## Body

### Geographical Features and Natural Environment
Tennessee is characterized by a diverse natural landscape. It is home to several prominent mountain ranges, including the **Appalachian Mountains**, **Blue Ridge Mountains**, **Cumberland Mountains**, and the **Great Smoky Mountains**. Specific mountains within the state include **Kuwohi**, **Big Frog Mountain**, **Chilhowee Mountain**, **Mount Le Conte**, **Silers Bald**, **Little Mountain**, **House Mountain**, and the **Bald Mountains**. The state also features significant plateaus such as the **Appalachian Plateau** and the **Cumberland Plateau**.

Numerous rivers flow through Tennessee, contributing to its hydrology and ecosystems. These include the **Cumberland River** (also flowing through Kentucky), **Little Tennessee River**, **Holston River**, **Duck River**, **Hatchie River**, **Elk River** (also in Alabama), **Powell River**, **Clinch River** (also in Virginia), **Nolichucky River** (also in North Carolina), and the **Red River** (also in Kentucky). Lakes such as **Cherokee Lake**, **Boone Lake**, **Norris Lake**, and **Pickwick Lake** are also found within the state.

Tennessee is notable for its waterfalls, including **Rockhouse Falls**, **Cane Creek Cascades**, **Fall Creek Falls**, **Cane Creek Falls**, **Piney Creek Falls**, **Coon Creek Falls**, and **Ruby Falls**, an underground waterfall within Lookout Mountain. The **Wells Creek crater** is an impact crater located in Tennessee.

Protected natural areas include the **Great Smoky Mountains National Park** (shared with North Carolina, established June 15, 1934), the **Cumberland Gap National Historical Park** (shared with Kentucky and Virginia, established June 11, 1940), the **Cherokee National Forest**, and the **Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area** (shared with Kentucky, established March 7, 1974). The **Appalachian Trail** passes through the state, and the **Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail** is also present.

### Administrative Divisions
Tennessee is divided into numerous counties. The provided data lists the following counties:
*   **Anderson County** (inception: November 6, 1801)
*   **Bedford County** (inception: December 3, 1807)
*   **Benton County** (inception: 1836)
*   **Blount County** (inception: July 11, 1795)
*   **Bledsoe County** (inception: 1807)
*   **Campbell County** (inception: September 11, 1806)
*   **Cannon County** (inception: January 31, 1836)
*   **Cheatham County** (inception: February 28, 1856)
*   **Chester County** (inception: 1882)
*   **Claiborne County** (inception: October 29, 1801)
*   **Cocke County** (inception: October 9, 1797)
*   **Coffee County** (inception: January 8, 1836)
*   **Cumberland County** (inception: November 16, 1855)
*   **Davidson County** (inception: April 18, 1783)
*   **Decatur County** (inception: November 1845)
*   **DeKalb County** (inception: 1837)
*   **Dickson County** (inception: 1803)
*   **Dyer County** (inception: 1823)
*   **Fayette County** (inception: September 29, 1824)
*   **Fentress County** (inception: November 28, 1823)
*   **Franklin County** (inception: December 3, 1807)
*   **Gibson County** (inception: October 21, 1823)
*   **Giles County** (inception: November 14, 1809)
*   **Grainger County** (inception: April 22, 1796)
*   **Greene County** (inception: April 18, 1783)
*   **Grundy County** (inception: 1844)
*   **Hamblen County** (inception: 1870)
*   **Hamilton County** (inception: October 25, 1819)
*   **Hancock County** (inception: 1844)
*   **Hardeman County** (inception: 1823)
*   **Hardin County** (inception: 1819)
*   **Hawkins County** (inception: November 18, 1786)
*   **Haywood County** (inception: 1823)
*   **Henderson County** (inception: 1821)
*   **Henry County** (inception: 1821)
*   **Hickman County** (inception: 1807)
*   **Houston County** (inception: 1871)
*   **Jackson County** (inception: 1801)
*   **Jefferson County** (inception: June 11, 1792)
*   **Johnson County** (inception: 1836)
*   **Knox County** (inception: June 11, 1792)
*   **Lake County** (inception: 1870)
*   **Lewis County** (inception: December 23, 1843)
*   **Lincoln County** (inception: November 14, 1809)
*   **Loudon County** (inception: 1870)
*   **Macon County** (inception: 1842)
*   **Madison County** (inception: 1821)
*   **Marion County** (inception: 1817)
*   **Marshall County** (inception: February 20, 1836)
*   **Maury County** (inception: 1807)
*   **McMinn County** (inception: 1819)
*   **McNairy County** (inception: October 8, 1823)
*   **Meigs County** (inception: 1836)
*   **Monroe County** (inception: November 13, 1819)
*   **Montgomery County** (inception: April 9, 1796)
*   **Moore County** (inception: 1871)
*   **Morgan County** (inception: 1817)
*   **Obion County** (inception: October 24, 1823)
*   **Overton County** (inception: September 1806)
*   **Perry County** (inception: November 14, 1819)
*   **Pickett County** (inception: 1879)
*   **Polk County** (inception: November 28, 1839)
*   **Putnam County** (inception: February 11, 1854)
*   **Rhea County** (inception: 1807)
*   **Roane County** (inception: 1801)
*   **Robertson County** (inception: April 9, 1796)
*   **Rutherford County** (inception: October 25, 1803)
*   **Scott County** (inception: 1849)
*   **Sequatchie County** (inception: December 9, 1857)
*   **Sevier County** (inception: September 28, 1794)
*   **Smith County** (inception: October 26, 1799)
*   **Stewart County** (inception: 1803)
*   **Sumner County** (inception: November 18, 1786)
*   **Tipton County** (inception: 1823)
*   **Trousdale County** (inception: 1870)
*   **Unicoi County** (inception: March 23, 1875)
*   **Union County** (inception: 1850)
*   **Van Buren County** (inception: January 3, 1840)
*   **Weakley County** (inception: October 21, 1823)
*   **White County** (inception: September 11, 1806)
*   **Williamson County** (inception: October 26, 1799)
*   **Wilson County** (inception: October 26, 1799)

### History and Significant Events
Tennessee's history includes its formation from the **Southwest Territory**, which existed from May 26, 1790, to 1796. The short-lived **State of Franklin** also existed from August 1, 1784. Early settlements include the former Cherokee town of **Tanasi** in Monroe County and **Chiaha**, a former Native American chiefdom in East Tennessee. **Fort Watauga** is another historical site.

A notable legal event in the state's history is the **Scopes Trial** of 1925. During the American Civil War, the **Knoxville Campaign** took place in 1863.

Tennessee played a critical role in the **Manhattan Project** during World War II, hosting several key facilities for uranium enrichment: the **Y-12 National Security Complex** (inception: 1943), **Clinton Engineer Works**, **K-25**, and **S-50**.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
Tennessee has an extensive transportation network.
**Interstate Highways** include:
*   **Interstate 24**
*   **Interstate 26** (also in North Carolina and South Carolina)
*   **Interstate 40** (inception: 1957)
*   **Interstate 55** (inception: 1957)
*   **Interstate 65** (inception: 1958)
*   **Interstate 69**
*   **Interstate 75**
*   **Interstate 81** (inception: 1957)

**U.S. Routes** include:
*   **U.S. Route 11**
*   **U.S. Route 27** (inception: 1926)
*   **U.S. Route 41** (inception: 1926)
*   **U.S. Route 43** (also in Alabama, inception: 1934)
*   **U.S. Route 72** (also in Mississippi and Alabama, inception: 1926)

A former state highway, **Tennessee State Route 474**, existed in 2000.
Major bridges include the **Hernando de Soto Bridge** (inception: August 2, 1973) and the **Memphis & Arkansas Bridge** (inception: 1949). The **Western and Atlantic Railroad** (inception: January 1, 1836) is a historical railway line. The **City of New Orleans** Amtrak rail service passes through the state.

Numerous airports serve Tennessee:
*   **McGhee Tyson Airport**
*   **Humboldt Municipal Airport**
*   **Millington Regional Jetport**
*   **Greeneville-Greene County Municipal Airport**
*   **Everett-Stewart Regional Airport**
*   **Winchester Municipal Airport**
*   **McMinn County Airport**
*   **Collegedale Municipal Airport**
*   **Covington Municipal Airport**
*   **Houston County Airport**
*   **Campbell County Airport**
*   **Ellington Airport**
*   **Knoxville Downtown Island Airport**
*   **Rockwood Municipal Airport**
*   **Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Airport**
*   **Centerville Municipal Airport**
*   **Humphreys County Airport**
*   **Elizabethton Municipal Airport**
*   **Franklin County Airport**
*   **Carroll County Airport**
*   **Livingston Municipal Airport**
*   **General DeWitt Spain Airport**
*   **Henry County Airport**
*   **Fayette County Airport**
*   **Warren County Memorial Airport**
*   **Tri-Cities Regional Airport**
*   **Dallas Bay Skypark**
*   **Arnold Field**
*   **John C. Tune Airport**
*   **Charles W. Baker Airport**
*   **Smyrna Airport**
*   **Tullahoma Regional Airport**
*   **Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport**
*   **McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base** (an airport)

The **Old Hickory Lock and Dam** (inception: 1952) is located in Tennessee.

### Education and Research
Tennessee is home to several universities:
*   **East Tennessee State University** (inception: 1911, 2,540 employees in 2020)
*   **University of Tennessee at Chattanooga** (inception: 1886, 347 employees)
*   **University of Tennessee** (inception: 1794, 8,958 employees in 2020)
*   **Rhodes College** (inception: 1848, 536 employees)

Advanced research facilities in Oak Ridge include the **Spallation Neutron Source**, **High Flux Isotope Reactor**, and the **Frontier** supercomputer (inception: 2021).

### Culture and Economy
Tennessee is a significant cultural and economic hub. **Nashville** is the capital and largest city, founded in 1779. The **Nashville metropolitan area** is also noted.
The state is strongly associated with music, being home to the **Country Music Association** (inception: 1958) and the **Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum** (inception: 2000). **WDIA** is a radio station in the state. **Opryland USA** was a former amusement park in Nashville.
**Tennessee whiskey** (inception: 1900) is a distinct product, with **George Dickel** (inception: 1884) being a notable trademark.
**Gibson Brands** (inception: 1902), an American guitar manufacturer, has its headquarters in the state. The **Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant** (inception: 2011) is a major automotive manufacturing facility.
The **MAA** (inception: 1977), a real estate investment trust, has headquarters in Memphis and Germantown. **The Greeneville Sun** (inception: 1879) is a newspaper published in Greeneville.
The **Miss Tennessee USA** beauty contest (inception: 1952) is held in the state. Musical groups like **Amazing Rhythm Aces** and **Plus One** are associated with Tennessee. The **Tennessee Walking Horse** is a breed of horse known for its unique gait.

### Buildings and Landmarks
Notable structures and landmarks include:
*   **Clark Tower** (offices, inception: July 9, 1971)
*   **Nashville City Center** (office, inception: 1988)
*   **Morgan Keegan Tower** (building, inception: 1985)
*   **Fifth Third Center** (skyscraper, inception: 1986)
*   **One Nashville Place** (building, inception: 1985)
*   **James K. Polk State Office Building** (inception: 1981)
*   **Peabody Hotel** (Memphis, inception: 1925)
*   **Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium** (Memphis, inception: September 6, 2004)
*   **Nashville Tennessee Temple** (Latter-day Saints temple)
*   **Memphis Tennessee Temple** (Latter-day Saints temple)
*   **The Holston** (historic high-rise in Knoxville)
*   **Mid-South Coliseum** (arena, inception: October 1964)
*   **Memphis International Raceway**

### Congressional Districts
Tennessee is represented by several congressional districts, including:
*   **Tennessee's 1st congressional district** (northeastern part of the state)
*   **Tennessee's 2nd congressional district**
*   **Tennessee's 3rd congressional district** (eastern part of the state, includes Chattanooga)
*   **Tennessee's 4th congressional district**
*   **Tennessee's 5th congressional district**
*   **Tennessee's 6th congressional district**
*   **Tennessee's 7th congressional district**
*   **Tennessee's 8th congressional district**

### Religious Institutions
The state is home to several Roman Catholic dioceses:
*   **Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville** (inception: January 1, 1837)
*   **Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville** (inception: 1988)
*   **Roman Catholic Diocese of Memphis** (inception: January 1, 1970)

### Other Mentions
The **Natchez Trace** is a historic trail in the southern United States that passes through Tennessee. The **Tri-Cities** region is located in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The **Barkley Marathons**, an ultramarathon trail race, is held in Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg. The **Super Outbreak** of April 1974, a major tornado event, affected Tennessee. The **area code 901** serves Memphis and surrounding areas. The chemical element **tennessine** is named after the state. The **Army of Tennessee** (inception: November 20, 1862) was a field army of the Confederate States. Two naval vessels, **USS Tennessee** (1986 Ohio-class submarine) and **USS Tennessee** (1919 Tennessee-class battleship), bear the state's name. Settlements mentioned include **Iron City**, **Rosemark**, **Watauga**, **Enville**, **Milledgeville**, **Spurgeon**, **Silerton**, **White Pine**, **Millersville**, **Ridgetop**, and **Tennessee Ridge** (inception: 1780).

## References

1. archINFORM
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. CiNii Research
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. FIPS 10-4
7. MusicBrainz
8. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
9. [Population Estimates Program](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html)
10. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
11. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
12. GeoNames
13. BBC Things
14. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
15. United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts, 2000 Census of Population and Housing
16. [Source](https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Tourism-g28963-Tennessee-Vacations.html)
17. Google Maps
18. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)
19. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
20. [Source](https://www.minimum-wage.org/wage-by-state)
21. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Tennessee;3986408.html)
22. Golden
23. KBpedia
24. GitHub
25. [Source](https://entities.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJrRf39VjgwCHrPYYvMMfq.html)