Tennessee (TN) is an inland state in the southeastern part of the USA, known for its rich musical history and diverse landscape. The capital of Tennessee is Nashville, which is one of the world’s centers of country music. The state’s largest city is Memphis, which in turn is the home of blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Among the most popular tourist attractions are the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Tennessee Abbreviation TN Capital Nashville Largest city Nashville (Population: 687 788) Current time 13:39 Time zone The smaller eastern part of the state follows EST (UTC-5), the larger western part follows CST (UTC-6). The state follows Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) and CDT (UTC-5) Population 6,910,786 (#16 most populous US state) Area 42,181 mi² (#36 largest US state) Admitted to the Union June 1, 1796 (#16 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Tennessee
The capital of Tennessee is Nashville, which was founded in 1779 at a time when the local territory was still part of North Carolina. It takes its name from Francis Nash, a Continental Army general in the ongoing American War of Independence. In 1843, Nashville became the permanent capital of Tennessee, replacing Knoxville and Murfreesboro.
🏙️ Largest City in Tennessee
The largest city in Tennessee is Nashville, with a population of 687,788 in 2023. The second most populous city is Memphis, with 618,639 residents, and the third is Knoxville, with 198,162.
🕒 Time in Tennessee
The current time in Nashville, Tennessee is 13:39. The city and the entire western half of the state is governed by Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6), while the eastern half of Tennessee recognizes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5). Daylight Saving Time is used throughout the state between March and November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Tennessee
In 2023, Tennessee had a population of 6,910,786, ranking it as the 16th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Tennessee
The total area of Tennessee is 42,181 mi², of which 41,273 mi² is land and 909 mi² is water. Tennessee is the 36th largest US state in terms of land area.
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Fun Facts About Tennessee
🧩 Tennessee Neighboring States
Tennessee is bordered by eight US states, along with Missouri, so it has the most neighbours in the USA. Arkansas to the west, Missouri to the northwest, Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia to the southeast, and Alabama and Mississippi to the south.
📅 Date of Tennessee Statehood
Tennessee was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796 as the 16th state in the order, its predecessor being the Northwest Territory.
📛 Nickname of the State of Tennessee
Tennessee has been nicknamed “The Volunteer State” for many decades, referring to the strong tradition of volunteers joining the military. The nickname was largely due to the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, when Tennessee native and then-president James Knox Polk asked for 2,600 volunteers to go fight in the war. Over 30,000 volunteered.
The nickname “The Volunteer State” is part of some Tennessee-registered car license plates.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Tennessee
The highest mountain in Tennessee is with 6,643 ft Clingmans Dome, which lies within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
🏞️ Rivers in Tennessee
The longest river in Tennessee is the Mississippi River with the total length of flow in all states 2,318 mi. Next in order are the Cumberland River (688 mi), Tennessee River (652 mi), Clinch River (298 mi), and Duck River (284 mi).
🎓 Universities in Tennessee
The largest university in the state is the University of Tennessee, attended by just under 34,000 students, and its campus has been located in Knoxville since 1794. The second largest university is the University of Memphis with just under 22 thousand students, and the third largest is Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro with 20 thousand students.
✉️ Tennessee ZIP Codes
The state of Tennessee has a dedicated zip code range of 370xx-385xx, you can search by address on the USPS website. For more information, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in Tennessee
The best time to visit Tennessee is in early fall, when temperatures tend to be pleasant and nature plays with all its colors.
Spring in Tennessee brings frequent precipitation, accompanied by thunderstorms and, on rare occasions, dangerous tornadoes. Temperatures gradually rise from 39°F in March to 61°F in May to a much more pleasant 57°F to 79°F in May.
Summers in Tennessee tend to be humid and warm, with temperatures ranging from June to August around 77°F to 90°F. The feeling of warmth is enhanced by the high humidity, and frequent thunderstorms are to be expected. Lower temperatures tend to occur in mountainous areas such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Autumn in Tennessee tends to be pleasant with low rainfall. Normal temperatures in September range between 61°F and 82°F, gradually dropping to 39°F to 61°F in November. Especially the first half of spring is a good time for hiking and admiring the beauty of the local nature.
Winters in Tennessee are mild, with temperatures generally in the tolerable 28°F to 48°F range. Snow cover is rather unusual, but travel can be complicated by occasional frosts and icy roads.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Tennessee
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Things to Do in Tennessee
1️⃣ Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the USA, located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The famous Appalachian Trail runs through the park and is one of the most popular trails in the world 2,198 mi. There are more hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, connected by beautiful views of the mountains and forests. The best time to visit the park is in the fall, when the deciduous trees are bursting with color.
2️⃣ Graceland
Graceland is the former Memphis home of legendary singer Elvis Presley, now operating as a museum fully open to the public. Visitors can tour the interiors of the house and museum, as well as Elvis’ collection of cars and planes, for a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
3️⃣ Lookout Mountain
Located just south of the suburbs of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain offers visitors several attractions in one location. Lover’s Leap is a lookout from which seven American states can be seen under ideal conditions.
What you won’t miss, however, is the 145.0 ft tall Ruby Falls, which is located inside the mountain and is colorfully lit. The Incline Railway is also an interesting attraction, with a glass cabin that takes you to the top of the mountain.
4️⃣ Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg is the oldest registered distillery in the United States. Visitors can take a guided tour of the distillery and learn more about the process of making the famous whiskey. The tour includes a visit to Cave Spring Hollow Springs, which gushes water at 56.0°F, serving as the base for the whiskey. A tasting of selected products is also on the tour agenda.
5️⃣ Titanic Museum
The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is an interactive museum dedicated to the ocean liner that sank in the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912. The museum has a portion of its façade built in the shape of the famous steamship and houses an extensive collection of more than 400 original objects and replica cabins.
In one of the rooms, 2,208 passenger names are inscribed on the wall, of which 1,496 did not survive the ship’s first and last voyage.
6️⃣ Ryman Auditorium Concert Hall
The Ryman Auditorium is a historic theater and concert hall that opened in Nashville in 1892. Since then, it has hosted a variety of concerts and artists, and in addition to its rich history, it is known for its excellent acoustics.
Not for nothing is it a symbol of Nashville’s cultural heritage, nicknamed the “Mother Church of Country Music.” Visitors can take a tour of the building, including backstage, or attend a live concert.
7️⃣ Dollywood Amusement Park
Dollywood is an amusement park southeast of Knoxville, owned by Dolly Parton, an American country singer. Visitors to the park can ride fifty different rides, ten of which are roller coasters. During the summer season, Dollywood hosts concerts, festivals and other cultural events.
8️⃣ Beale Street
Beale Street in Memphis is a hub for blues music, playing in music clubs, restaurants and gift shops. One of the most iconic streets in America is home to music festivals, parades and other cultural events. Visitors can sample local cuisine while listening to live music or enjoy the nightlife.
9️⃣ Sun Studio
Sun Studio is a legendary recording studio in Memphis, considered the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. It was opened on January 3, 1950 and since then legendary musicians such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and B. B. King. Visitors can take a guided tour of the studio. Interestingly, the studio is still recording music overnight.
🔟 Grand Ole Opry Concert Hall
The Grand Ole Opry is the longest-running radio show in the USA, continuously broadcast every Saturday since November 28, 1925. Country music is broadcast from the eponymous concert network in Nashville, known as the home of the genre. Visitors can take a backstage tour or attend live radio broadcasts and performances by country singers.
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Largest Cities in Tennessee
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Tennessee in 2023. The source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency responsible for counting the population.
City County Population 1 Nashville Davidson 687,788 Map of Nashville 2 Memphis Shelby 618,639 Map of Memphis 3 Knoxville Knox 198,162 Map of Knoxville 4 Chattanooga Hamilton 187,030 Map of Chattanooga 5 Clarksville Montgomery 180,716 Map of Clarksville 6 Murfreesboro Rutherford 165,430 Map of Murfreesboro 7 Franklin Williamson 88,558 Map of Franklin 8 Johnson City Washington, Carter, Sullivan 73,337 Map of Johnson City 9 Jackson Madison 68,264 Map of Jackson 10 Hendersonville Sumner 63,618 Map of Hendersonville -
Sports Teams in Tennessee
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
The only team from Tennessee in the NHL is the Nashville Predators, they belong to the Central Division in the Western Conference. The club was formed in 1998 and plays its home games at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Predators’ club colors are gold, navy blue, and white.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Since the 1997 season, the Tennessee Titans of the AFC South Division Conference have been the sole participant in the NFL. The team’s home games are played at Nissan Stadium in Nashville; the club colors are navy blue, red, blue, silver, and white. The team moved to Tennessee from Texas, where it played since 1970 as the Houston Oilers, and was known as the Tennessee Oilers in 1997 and 1998.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Tennessee’s only representative in the NBA since the 2001 season is the Memphis Grizzlies of the Southwest Division in the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at FedExForum in Memphis, and has chosen blue, navy blue, steel gray, and gold as its club colors. Since 1995, the team has played in Canada under the name Vancouver Grizzlies.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team from Tennessee in the MLB baseball league.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Tennessee is represented in the Eastern Conference of the MLS Football League by Nashville SC starting in the 2020 season, with home games played at Geodis Park in Nashville. It has chosen gold and blue as its club colors, a reference to the city’s flag.
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Tennessee State Symbols
The official symbols are determined by the Tennessee General Assembly; below are just a few of them.
State Flag of Tennessee
The Tennessee state flag has been used in its current form since April 17, 1905. The flag design consists of three white five-pointed stars within a blue circle with a white outline within a red field. The three stars represent the three original regions of Tennessee. On the right side is a blue stripe, which surprisingly has no significance and was only added for a more pleasing appearance.
Great Seal of Tennessee
The Great Seal of State is based on the original design of September 25, 1801, and has historically been used to authenticate documents issued by the Tennessee government. The seal emphasizes the contribution of agriculture to the state’s economy, so the motif includes a plow, a bundle of ears of wheat, and cotton. The ship in the lower half symbolizes commerce. The year 1796 commemorates the year Tennessee entered the Union.
State Amphibian
In 1995, the list of state symbols was expanded by the Tennessee cave salamander (Gyrinophilus palleucus), which lives in some Tennessee caves.
State Tree
The state tree became the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) in 1947, which, according to the legislature, grows “from one end of Tennessee to the other.” The tree’s flowers resemble tulips, which are known for their beauty. Native Americans used the wood from the tree to build canoes.
State Flower
By action of the Tennessee General Assembly in 1933, the iris became the official symbol of the state, with no exact species specified. Irises are commonly found throughout the state.
State Wildflower
The official wildflower became the passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) in 1919, chosen by a vote among children. The passionflower is a native plant to Tennessee and was chosen for its striking purple and white flowers.
State Bird
Tennessee’s bird symbol was chosen in 1933 as the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), whose song rings throughout the state.
State Reptile
Since 1995, the common box turtle (Terrapene carolina) has been the official state reptile and is found in some forests and wetlands. The turtle can live up to 100 years.
State Folk Dance
In 1980, the General Assembly declared the quadrille (also known as the Square Dance) the official state folk dance, recognizing it as a traditional part of folklore and folk entertainment.
State Fruit
In March 2003, the tomato, a traditional part of the local cuisine and an important agricultural product of the state, became the official fruit of Tennessee. The tomato is indeed botanically considered a fruit.
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