Index
The time zones in Kentucky are both the Eastern and the Central time zones
Abraham Lincoln was born three miles south of Hodgenville Feb 12, 1809 at Sinking Spring Farm
Total land area: 39,732 square miles
Total water area: 679 square miles
Total area: 40,411 square miles, the 37th largest state
Kentucky has 120 counties
Pike County is the largest in area: 787 sq. miles
Gallatin County is the smallest in area: 98 sq. miles
Population:
1960 - 3,038,156
1970 - 3,218,706
1980 - 3,660,777
1990 - 3,685,296
2000 - 4,041,769
Population Rank: 25 of 50 states (2000 Census rank)
Population Density: 100 persons per square mile, the 22nd most densely
populated state
Jefferson County has largest population: 693,604 in 2000
Robertson County has smallest population: 2,266 in 2000
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Location:
Kentucky is bounded to the west, north and east by three rivers; the Mississippi,
Ohio, and Big Sandy Rivers. The southern boundaries are formed where Kentucky
meets the states of Tennessee and Virginia.
Geography:
Kentucky has many geographic features. The Appalachian Mountains and the
Mississippi River form the east and west borders. The Ohio River forms an irregular
northern border. There are heavily forested areas in the mountains near Virginia.
Here are found deep valleys and gorges. In this area is the Cumberland Gap,
a national historical park. The south-central area of the state has many caves,
including Mammoth Cave near Cave City. Central Kentucky is the "Bluegrass
Area," and the Lexington area is known as the Horse Capital of the World.
The southwestern portion of the state, though not altogether flat, has low hills
and wide flood plains. It is also a very fertile area of the state.
The highest point in Kentucky is Black Mountain at 4,145 feet above sea level
The lowest point in Kentucky is at the Mississippi River at 257 feet above sea
level
Longitude: 81° 58'W to 89° 34'W
Latitude: 36° 30'N to 39° 9'N
The geographic center of Kentucky
is located in Marion County, 3 miles NNW of Lebanon.
Longitude: 84° 30.4'W
Latitude: 37° 21.5'N
about 380 miles long and 140 miles wide.
Kentucky is bordered by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio
in the north. On the south, Kentucky is bordered by Tennessee. West Virginia and Virginia border Kentucky on the
east and Missouri borders Kentucky on
the west.
average elevation: 750 feet above sea level
History:
You can see ancient history at Big Bone Lick State Park when you view prehistoric
animal bones. The area was also home to various Indian tribes. Shawnee and Cherokee
hunted and fought here before the Europeans arrived. The area remained basically
unexplored because of natural barriers, such as the Appalachian Mountain Range.
In 1750, Dr. Thomas Walker made a trip through the Cumberland Gap. His records
helped others follow. Daniel Boone and John Finley, a Virginia trader, came
through with their party in 1769. Their settlements, as a result of the trek,
were referred to as Boone's Trace or the Wilderness Road. The area rapidly expanded
through the 1770's. Settlers came in abundance after the American Revolution.
Statehood finally came in 1792.
Why is Kentucky called a "Commonwealth?"
In the US, "commonwealth" is another word for "state." It implies a government commitment to the common good of the people and dates back to the time of Oliver Cromwell's England in the mid-1600's. Several other states, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia, also refer to themselves as Commonwealths. Since Kentucky was created from Virginia in 1792 as the 15th state, the founding fathers decided to continue to use that term for the new state of Kentucky.
The State Nickname
The Bluegrass State
In the spring, bluegrass produces bluish-purple buds that when seen in large fields give a rich blue cast to the grass, thus, the name bluegrass. Early pioneers found bluegrass growing on Kentucky's rich limestone soil. Then, traders began asking for the seed of the "blue grass from Kentucky." The name stuck and today Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass state.
Other nicknames:
Nicknames usually occur because of something notable in a state. In Kentucky, Hemp was one of two main crops, the other being Tobacco. So, of course, two other nicknames for Kentucky are the “Hemp State” and the “Tobacco State.”
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
464 Chenault Road
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Phone: 502-695-4700
Fax: 502-695-6824
Kentucky Department of
Tourism
Capital Plaza Tower, 22nd Floor
500 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Toll-free: 1-800-225-8747
Page for state symbols
education info for Kentucky
Government Links
page for Kentucky
Great links page for all levels of government in Kentucky
Official Kentucky Travel Guide
For Kentucky Travel Information please call
Toll-free: 800-225-TRIP (8747)
Kentucky Coal Miners page - the life and times of coal miners in Kentucky, particularly in the coal fields of Harlan County, Kentucky.
A history page for Kentucky
Historical resources for the state
Loads of links for Kentucky things to do
Find the weather for anyplace in the USA
This page was last updated 16 September 206 at 10:08 pm
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