Interesting Facts About Tennessee

Tennessee is a state located in the southeastern United States and is known for its rich history, diverse geography and bustling cities. With a population of over 6.7 million people, it is the 16th most populous state in the country. It has numerous attractions and natural wonders, making it a great destination for tourists. Here are some interesting facts about Tennessee that you may not know.

Tennessee’s State Symbols

Tennessee has several official state symbols, including the raccoon as the state mammal, the mockingbird as the state bird, and the tulip poplar as the state tree. The state flower is the iris, and the state butterfly is the zebra swallowtail. The state insect is the honeybee, and the state stone is the agate.

Tennessee’s Geography

Tennessee is divided into three distinct geographic regions: the Appalachian Mountains in the east, the Central Basin in the middle, and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain in the west. The state is home to the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains, which is the most visited national park in the United States. It is also home to the Tennessee River, which is the main river in the state and runs for 652 miles.

Tennessee’s History

Tennessee was the 16th state to join the Union, becoming a state on June 1, 1796. It is known as the “Volunteer State” because of the large number of soldiers who volunteered to fight in the War of 1812. It was also the site of the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War, which was one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

Interesting Facts About Tennessee

1. Tennessee is the birthplace of three U.S. presidents: Andrew Johnson, James K. Polk and Andrew Jackson.

2. Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and is known as the “Music City” because of its rich music history.

3. Tennessee is the only state in the United States to have a musical instrument as its official state symbol. The instrument is the fiddle.

4. The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.

5. The city of Memphis is home to the famous Graceland mansion, which was the former home of the legendary musician Elvis Presley.

6. The city of Chattanooga is home to Lookout Mountain, which is the highest point in the state at 2,392 feet.

7. Tennessee is home to the largest man-made lake in the eastern United States, the Norris Lake.

8. The state is also home to the world’s tallest treehouse, located in Crossville.

9. The state is home to the country’s first national park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

10. Tennessee has more than 10,000 caves, making it the most cave-dense state in the country.

11. The state is home to the highest number of waterfalls in the United States, with over 200 located in the state.

12. The state is home to the world’s oldest limestone cave, the Lost Sea.

13. The city of Nashville is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

14. The state is home to the world’s largest festival, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, which takes place in Manchester each year.

15. Tennessee is home to the world’s oldest public golf course, the Old Stone Fort Golf Course in Murfreesboro.

16. The state is home to the world’s longest pedestrian bridge, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Bridge, which spans 2.5 miles.

17. The state is home to the world’s largest man-made waterfall, the Ocoee Falls, located in the Cherokee National Forest.

18. The state is home to the world’s oldest registered distillery, the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg.

19. The state is home to the world’s largest underground lake, the Lost Sea, located in Sweetwater.

20. The state is home to the world’s longest water slide, the Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Adventure Park, located in Pigeon Forge.

21. The state is home to the world’s largest treehouse, the Minister’s Treehouse, located in Crossville.

22. The state is home to the world’s oldest operating post office, the Johnson City Post Office, established in 1876.

23. The state is home to the world’s oldest operating toll bridge, the Market Street Bridge, located in Chattanooga.

24. The state is home to the world’s oldest operating suspension bridge, the Cumberland River Bridge, located in Nashville.

25. The state is home to the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, the Walnut Street Bridge, located in Chattanooga.

26. The state is home to the world’s longest public land border, the border between Tennessee and Kentucky.

27. The state is home to the world’s oldest continuously operating theater, the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville.

28. The state is home to the world’s largest collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia, located at Graceland in Memphis.

29. The state is home to the world’s oldest continuously operating newspaper, the Nashville Gazette, founded in 1791.

30. The state is home to the world’s oldest operating passenger railway, the Tennessee Central Railway, located in Nashville.

Conclusion

Tennessee is a fascinating and diverse state with a rich history and plenty of attractions to explore. From its natural wonders to its cultural landmarks, Tennessee is a great place to visit and explore. These interesting facts about Tennessee have given you a glimpse into the state’s history and culture, and why it is a great place to visit.