Tennessee, state in the United States in the East South Central region; 109,158 km², 6.35 million population (2010), of which 78% are white. Capital: Nashville. Joined the Union in 1796 as the 16th state. Nickname: The Volunteer State.

• COUNTRYAAH.COM: Lists all counties and parishes of Tennessee in alphabetical order. Covers county profile and biggest counties by population in the state of Tennessee.

Particularly due to immigration surpluses, Tennessee has nearly doubled its population since the 1960’s. The growth, which due to new jobs in industry and services have been concentrated to urban Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga, which now holds ²/₃ of the population. Although the proportion of the poor has fallen, the differences in living conditions are still noticeable. Among the most disadvantaged are the rural population and the black minority, who predominantly reside in Memphis.

Among the reasons for the development from a backward agricultural state to a modern industrial state is TVA’s extensive efforts since the 1930’s (see Tennessee Valley Authority). The cheap energy, together with good transport conditions and a low-paid workforce, has been attractive to new companies, most recently Japanese. The largest industries include the automotive, electronics, textile and food industries, as well as nuclear power, the chemical industry (fertilizers, plastic products) and the metallurgical industry (aluminum plants, etc.). In addition, a significant music and entertainment industry centered in Nashville and to a lesser extent Memphis.

Agriculture is divided into a large but declining number of farms (1995: 82,000 on average 59 ha). Main products are soy, tobacco, corn, cotton, beef and dairy products. In particular, the nutrient-poor and previously erosion-ravaged lands have over time been planted with forest, which now covers over half of the area. The forests are utilized in the timber industry, but also serves recreational purposes just like many scenic dam lakes. The central part of the state consists of the hilly Cumberland Plateau between low-lying plains facing the Mississippi border river to the west and the Appalachians to the east. The highest point is Clingman’s Dome (2025 m) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The climate is rainy and temperate.

• AbbreviationFinder: Provides a list of all acronyms in alphabetic order for Tennessee. Also includes state overview, population statistics as well as cities and towns belong to Tennessee.

History

The area was explored by Spanish, French and English travelers in the 16th and 17th centuries, but permanent settlements did not take place until the 1760’s, when it was part of North Carolina. After American independence, the area seceded in 1785 and established the independent state of Franklin, which in 1790 came under US control and in 1796 was admitted as a state. In 1861, Tennessee joined the Southern States and became the scene of a series of major battles in the American Civil War.