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Tennessee, a state located in the southeastern United States, shares its borders with eight states: Kentucky and Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, and Arkansas and Missouri to the west. The state also touches the Mississippi River along its western edge. Tennessee covers a total area of approximately 42,144 mi² (109,152 km²).

Tennessee, from west to east, is divisible into eight primary geographic regions: 

Coastal Plain: This region, primarily comprising the Mississippi River Delta, stretches along the western border of Tennessee. It features a flat, fertile landscape shaped by the meandering of the Mississippi River over millennia. The Western Tennessee Plain, a sub-region, is characterized by its rich, loamy soil and agricultural suitability. Further east, the Western Tennessee Uplands rise gently, marked by low hills and dissected plateaus, offering a stark contrast to the plains.

Western Valley: The Western Valley of Tennessee, adjacent to the Coastal Plain, is defined by the meandering course of the lower Mississippi River. This area is characterized by its floodplains and natural levees, which have been shaped by the river's historic flooding and shifting courses.

Western and Eastern Highland Rim: Encircling the Central Basin, the Highland Rim is divided into western and eastern sections. The Western Highland Rim is noted for its rolling hills and fertile valleys, while the Eastern Highland Rim presents a more rugged terrain with higher elevations and steeper slopes. These rims serve as transitional zones between the flat central basin and the elevated plateaus that lie further east.

Outer and Inner Central Basin: Nestled within the Western and Eastern Highland Rims, the Central Basin consists of the Outer and Inner sections. The Outer Central Basin is distinguished by its gently undulating landscape, whereas the Inner Central Basin features a more pronounced topography with distinct hills and valleys. This area is characterized by limestone bedrock, which has influenced the region's karst topography.

Cumberland Plateau: To the east of the Highland Rims, the Cumberland Plateau rises sharply, forming a significant escarpment. This plateau is marked by rugged terrain, steep cliffs, and deep gorges. The area is known for its extensive forests and coal deposits. The highest point in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome, which stands at 6,643 feet (2,025 meters), is located in this region.

Sequatchie Valley: Within the Cumberland Plateau lies the Sequatchie Valley, a narrow and elongated valley known for its distinct linear orientation. This valley is characterized by its fertile land, which stands in contrast to the surrounding rugged plateau.

Valley and Ridge: East of the Cumberland Plateau, the Valley and Ridge region stretches across Tennessee. This area is characterized by a series of parallel ridges and valleys, formed by the folding and faulting of the earth's crust. The ridges are typically composed of resistant sandstone, while the valleys often contain softer limestone and shale.

Unaka Mountains: In the easternmost part of Tennessee, the Unaka Mountains rise as part of the greater Appalachian Mountain chain. This region is characterized by its high mountain ranges, steep slopes, and deep valleys. The terrain here is significantly more rugged and forested compared to other parts of the state.

Major Bodies of Water: Tennessee is home to numerous rivers and lakes, with the Mississippi River being the most prominent water body along its western border. Other significant rivers include the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Clinch rivers, each playing a crucial role in shaping the state's landscape. Additionally, Tennessee hosts several large lakes, such as Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee Valley Authority-created reservoirs.

Counties Map

The State of Tennessee is divided into 95 counties. In alphabetical order, these counties are: Anderson, Bedford, Benton, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carroll, Carter, Cheatham, Chester, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Crockett, Cumberland, Davidson, Decatur, DeKalb, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Fentress, Franklin, Gibson, Giles, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardeman, Hardin, Hawkins, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Loudon, Macon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Maury, McMinn, McNairy, Meigs, Monroe, Montgomery, Moore, Morgan, Obion, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Robertson, Rutherford, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, Sullivan, Sumner, Tipton, Trousdale, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Weakley, White, Williamson, Wilson.

With an area of 109,247 sq. km, the State of Tennessee is the 36^th largest and the 16^th most populous state in the USA. Located in the center of the state, in the Cumberland River valley is Nashville – the capital, the largest and the most populous city of Tennessee. Nashville serves as an educational hub of the state and is also known for its great music industry, which has produced several highly talented musicians.

Where is Tennessee?

The State of Tennessee is located in the South-Eastern region of the United States. The State of Tennessee is landlocked and shares its borders with 8 different states. It is bordered by the state of Arkansas in the west, by Missouri in the northwest, by Kentucky in the north, by Virginia in the northeast, by North Carolina in the east, and by the states of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi in the south.

Regional Maps: Map of North America