Only three words, but what words they are! Country, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll – that’s what the state of Tennessee is all about. Music is the hallmark of this corner of America, and various music festivals are its calling card. Romantic bards, followers of the King Elvis Presley, and just music enthusiasts who know their notes flock here from all over the world.
Brief Information about the State:
- Abbreviation: TN
- Capital and largest city: Nashville (678,448 inhabitants)
- State population: 6,944,260 (16th in the US population ranking)
- State area: 109,151 km² (36th in the US area ranking)
- Official website: tennessee.gov
Attractions in Tennessee:
Perhaps the most visited and beloved place is the city of Memphis. It was here that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, gained fame. Against the backdrop of magnificent landscapes, the country’s main musical events take place, and perhaps even in the whole world. It’s not surprising that all the attractions of the metropolis are dedicated to the musical theme.
Visitors to Memphis must visit Beale Street, the center of nightlife, take a tour of the Sun Studio recording company, lay flowers at Elvis’s gravesite, and if lucky, attend one of the festivals held annually in Tom Lee Park.
Despite the widespread fascination with melodies and tunes, Tennessee does not live solely on music. The city of Pigeon Forge offers many activities to its guests. For example, Wonder Works Park with virtual roller coasters, a house turned upside down, and a room full of illusions.
Tennessee also boasts a ski resort – Gatlinburg. Skiing enthusiasts enjoy the aesthetic pleasure of mountain landscapes surrounding this place from three sides. Combined with the adrenaline rush from skiing down snowy slopes and the remarkably fresh air, relaxation becomes especially emotional and memorable.
For those seeking something unusual, a visit to the Cumberland Caves is worth it. It’s a whole mountain system stretching 32 miles in length. In addition to classic daytime tours, tourists can enjoy a special treat – a nighttime underground concert in the stone halls. They say the acoustics there are breathtaking!
History of the State:
Based on archaeological excavations, the Southeastern lands of the New World were settled over 12,000 years ago. Their inhabitants mastered agriculture well and actively engaged in farming, built ceremonial mounds, and traded with each other. Unfortunately, specific names of the ethnic groups of the pre-Indians have not been preserved in history. Only the tribes that inhabited the territories of the present-day American state of Tennessee at the time of the Europeans’ arrival are known. These include the Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, and others.
The first arrivals from the Old World were the conquistadors from Hernando de Soto’s expedition. During the expedition in 1539-40, they triumphantly reached the Mississippi. Following them were explorers Tristan de Luna and Juan Pardo. Their main goal was to establish contacts with the Native Americans.
However, the Spaniards brought not only equipment with them but also pathogens such as smallpox and other diseases to which the indigenous population had not yet developed immunity. Naturally, the Indians didn’t like this. However, a bullet, even fired from a muzzle-loading musket, flies faster and farther than an arrow, so the Cherokee and other tribes were forced to migrate to other places, to the territory of present-day Arkansas.
In 1682, the French and the English appeared on the lands of modern Tennessee, founding the colonies Fort-Prudhomme and Fort Loudon, respectively. Since hostilities were ongoing between these two countries at the time, conflicts often erupted between the settlers. However, the losses suffered did not stop the expansion to the northeast.
Hunters eager to earn money on fur converged here, forming the Watauga Association – the first free and independent community. Later, its representatives turned to the government of Virginia, expressing a desire to join it. But they were refused.
In 1777, the Association joined North Carolina as a county. The union lasted for 7 years, after which a redistribution of territory took place, and activists initiated the creation of the state of “Frankland.” But the new administrative unit was never officially recognized.
Thirteen years later, in 1790, Tennessee’s lands became part of the Southwest Territory. Then there was a lull for 6 years, and finally, on June 1, 1796, Tennessee became the sixteenth state of the USA.
Interesting Facts about the State of Tennessee:
1. In 1807, Kingston was declared the capital of Tennessee. However, the city lasted exactly one day in this status.
2. In this state, in the city of Memphis on June 8, 2002, Lennox Lewis defeated the famous boxer Mike Tyson by a knockout in the 8th round. It became the event of the year.
3. Tennessee is a warm state. The winter temperature here does not drop below +5 degrees Celsius.
4. The epicenter of the largest earthquake in American history was located in the northwest of Tennessee. As a result of seismic activity, Reelfoot Lake was formed.
5. In one of the numerous caves in this region lies the largest underground lake in America. It’s called the “Lost Sea.”
6. Tennessee is home to Oak Ridge. It was founded in the 1940s as part of the Manhattan Project. Scientists from four countries worked on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, and they managed to create three bombs with nuclear cores. One of them (Trinity) was detonated during tests in New Mexico, known for its Roswell incident. The other two bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The project’s cost is estimated at $22 billion in today’s terms, and it involved over 130,000 people.
7. According to official data, Tennessee has 8,350 cavities in the earth’s crust, making it the place with the most caves in the entire USA.
8. In 1899, at the Chattanooga plant, Coca-Cola was bottled for the first time in the United States.
9. Only in Tennessee is the production of a special corn whiskey allowed. It differs from similar spirits in its special preparation method and subsequent filtration with charcoal obtained from sugar maple. The most famous brand of Tennessee whiskey is Jack Daniel’s.
10. In Tennessee, it is believed that albino deer have magical powers, like unicorns, and bring good luck. Harming them is prohibited by law. For such an offense, a fine is even imposed as punishment.
Famous People from Tennessee:
1. Tina Turner – singer
2. Randy Orton – professional wrestler (nickname “The Viper”)
3. Justin Timberlake – singer, former husband of Britney Spears
4. Megan Fox – actress
5. Miley Cyrus – actress
6. Dolly Parton – singer and actress from past years
7. Quentin Tarantino – director and actor of many cult films
8. Morgan Freeman – you’ve definitely seen him in some movie
9. Lisa Marie Presley – daughter of the legendary King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley
Major Cities:
The state of Tennessee comprises 95 counties and 345 cities. The largest among them are:
1. Nashville – 678,448 people
2. Memphis – 651,011 people
3. Knoxville – 188,085 people
4. Chattanooga – 184,561 people
5. Clarksville – 161,686 people
In Tennessee, the terms “city” and “town” are used in the names of settlements. However, unlike other states, they do not have legal distinctions. For locals, they are all considered “municipalities.”