Tennessee – Volunteer State

By | July 5, 2022

Natural treasures and music Eldorado

The US state of Tennessee is located in the middle of the eastern United States, east of the Mississippi and is nicknamed The Volunteer State. The capital of Tennessee is Nashville. Nashville is also the state’s largest city, with a population of approximately 571,000 as of 2019. Memphis follows at a distance. See Countryaah for more cities in the state of Tennessee. All of Tennessee was home to 6.91 million people in 2020. Tennessee is historically one of the southern states of the United States. At the time of the American Civil War (1861-1865), Tennessee was one of the southern states, the pro-slavery states. The Tennessee River and the Mississippi River cross Tennessee. As a predominantly rural region, Tennessee only experienced an economic boom in the 20th century due to the settlement of industrial companies.

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The somewhat plain Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville

The somewhat plain Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville

 

Expulsion of the Native Americans

The first whites arrived in Tennessee in the 16th century. The state of Tennessee was founded in 1796. In the years that followed, more and more settlers invaded the country and, mostly through bloody conflicts, displaced the original population of the region, consisting of several Native American peoples. The natives could not assert themselves against the numerical superiority and the modern weapons of the pale faces. The inglorious expulsion of about 17,000 Cherokee went down in American history. They were forced to walk as far west as Arkansas and Oklahoma. Countless Cherokee natives died en route to Arkansas and Oklahoma. The path that the Cherokee-Native Americans had to follow was henceforth known by the whites as the ” Trail of Tears”, referred to as the “Path of Tears”. The resettlement of the native people took place in the years 1831-1871. The Cherokee referred to the path in their language as “Nunna daul Tsuny”, “the path on which we wept” (for our departed, our dear family and friends.) The land of Tennessee was and is extremely fertile.In their new homeland, the Cherokee had to cope with poor soil and poor living conditions.

Whiskey, beer and unique nature

The famous Jack Daniels whiskey is distilled in Tennessee. Of course there are other whiskey distilleries spread across the country. Brewing beer is just as important in the US state. Countless hiking trails lead through the country away from the cities. To the west, the Appalachian Mountains run north-south through Tennessee. The Appalachian Trail is a world-renowned hiking trail through the Appalachian Mountains. The densely wooded Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in Tennessee. Roads leading through the national park guarantee fantastic views. In autumn, at the time of the Indian summer, the forest of the national park delivers a true color spectacle for the eyes. Scattered throughout the country are beautiful, historic Southern mansions to discover.

Wild horses in the green nature of Tennessee

Music cities Memphis and Nashville

Tennessee is proud of its music history. The cities of Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee are known for their music, blues, bluegrass, country and rock ‘n’ roll. Elvis Presley lived in Memphis on his “Graceland estate”. There is a small but worth seeing Elvis museum. Nashville is the home of “American Country Music”. Johnny Cash passed away in Nashville in 2003. Whether blues, jazz, country, bluegrass or rock ‘n’ roll – live music can be heard on every corner in the musical centers of Memphis and Nashville. Famous music studios are located in this region of America. In Memphis, a paddle steamer cruise down the Mississippi River is a must.

Natural highlights, agriculture and industry

Tennessee is a green state in the USA with varied natural landscapes and rich flora and fauna. In addition to the country’s extensive forests, there are beautiful waterfalls to be discovered along the endless hiking trails. Farming is widespread. Tobacco, grain, cotton and soybeans are primarily produced. However, Tennessee is also a heavily industrialized country with large industrial complexes. The largest employers include the chemical industry, mechanical engineering, automobile manufacturing, wood processing and mining.

Land between the Lakes

A particular highlight in northern Tennessee is the “Land between the Lakes” (LBL) area. The “Land between the Lakes” biosphere reserve is located on a peninsula bordered by reservoirs of the Cumberland River (Lake Barkley) and the Tennessee River (Kentucky Lake). Most of the “land between the lakes” is forested, but there are also fields, meadows and prairies. Numerous bodies of water cut through the peninsula. In addition to the timber industry, hunting, fishing and collecting nuts, berries and mushrooms play an important role. Despite intensive use and more than two million tourists a year in the biosphere reserve, efforts are being made to use “LBL” sustainably. The living open-air museum “Homeplace 1850s Working Farm” shows a typical village from the middle of the 19th century. There are numerous historical buildings to discover in the village. People work as it was then. Live animals must be cared for. A very living museum in the southern area of ​​the LBL Peninsula in Tennessee.

Mountain village of Gatlinburg in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Attractions / Museums / Theaters in Tennessee

  • Alex Haley Statue at Haley Heritage Square – Knoxville
  • Andrew Johnson National Historic Site – Greeneville
  • Appalachian Center for Craft – Art from Tennessee – Smithville
  • Arrowcraft – Historical Shop in Gatlinburg
  • Beale Street Historic District – Street of Music in Memphis
  • Bell Witch Cave – Cave near the town of Adams
  • Belle Meade Plantation – Winery near the city of Nashville
  • Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival – music and arts festival – Manchester
  • Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway – NAscar racing ground in Bristol
  • Chattanooga History Walking Tour – Chattanooga
  • Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park – Lockout Mountain
  • Cumberland Caverns – Caves near McMinnville
  • Dogwood Arts Festival – Knoxville
  • Dollywood Amusement Park – Pigeon Forge
  • East Tennessee History Center – Knoxville
  • Elvis Presley’s Graceland – Memphis
  • Fall Creek Falls State Park – nature reserve near Pikeville
  • Frank H McClung Museum – University of Tennessee – Knoxville
  • Grand Ole Opry – Country Music Live Show – Nashville
  • Jack Daniel Distillery – Lynchnurg
  • Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park – Chattanooga Amusement Park
  • Marketplace in Knoxville
  • Mud Island River Park – Memphis
  • Natchez Trace State Park – wildlife sanctuary in Wildersville
  • Overton Place – entertainment district in Memphis
  • Pinch Historic District – entertainment district in Memphis
  • Reelfoot Lake – Recreation area near Tiptonville
  • Rock City & Rock City Gardens – Lookout Mountain Recreation Area
  • Ruby Falls – Waterfall on Lookout Mountain – Chattanooga
  • Shiloh National Military Park – former battlefield near Shiloh
  • Stones River National Battlefield – Murfreesboro
  • Sun Studio – Legendary music studio in Memphis
  • Tennessee State Capitol – Nashville
  • Knoxville Zoo
  • Memphis Zoo
  • Clarence Brown Theater – Knoxville
  • Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
  • Memphis Pink Palace Museum
  • Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum
  • Mississippi River Museum – Memphis
  • Museum of Appalachia-Clinton
  • Orpheum Theater – Memphis
  • Tennessee State Museum – Nashville
  • Belz Museum of Asian and Jewish Art – Memphis
  • Country Music Alliance Museum – Bristol
  • Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art – Nashville
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – Nashville
  • David Crockett Cabin and Museum – Lawrenceburg
  • Historic Tennessee Theater – Knoxville
  • Museum of East Tennessee History – Knoxville
  • National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis
  • Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum – Nashville
  • Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis
  • The Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum – Gatlinburg