Tennessee

The Geography of Tennessee   Its boundaries touch eight of its sister states.   They are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia.   Tennessee is 34 th in size of all the states in the nation.

The Geography of Tennessee   Tennessee is divided into ninety-five counties.   The western boundary of Tennessee follows the Mississippi River.   The eastern boundary of Tennessee follows the Unake Mountain.

The Three Parts of Tennessee   There are three grand divisions of the state, they are East, Middle, and West Tennessee.   East Tennessee is divided from middle Tennessee by the Cumberland plateau. The Tennessee River separates Middle Tennessee from West Tennessee.   East Tennessee was the first section of the state to be settled.

Natural Regions   Modern geologists have divided Tennessee into six natural regions. They are:   1. The Unaka Mountains   2. East Tennessee Valley and Ridge   3.The Cumberland Plateau   4.The Highland Rim   5.The Central Basin   6.The Gulf Coastal Plain

Natural Regions   The Unaka Mountains   Also known as the Great Smoky Mountains   Clingman’s Dome is the Unakas’ highest point   Cade’s Cove is located in this region   East Tennessee Valley and Ridge  Immediately west of the Unaka Mountains  Series of valleys and ridges

Natural Regions   The Cumberland Plateau   Its settlement came late.   The northeast border of the plateau, where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet, is known as the Cumberland Gap (1,200 ft).   The Highland Rim  This is the largest region.  Is a geographic term for the area in Tennessee surrounding the Central Basin.

Natural Regions   The Central Basin   Shaped like the bottom of a bowl.   This is the smallest region.   Most fertile soil in the state.   Coastal Plain of West Tennessee  Between Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers.  Agricultural heart of the state.

Rivers Systems   The Mississippi River serves as the main drainage route for the region.   The Tennessee River rises in East Tennessee, runs through North Alabama, and loops back to form the boundary between Middle and West Tennessee.   Another system involves the Cumberland River.

Reelfoot Lake   Reelfoot Lake was formed by a severe earthquake in   Reelfoot Lake was named after a Chickasaw chief.   Reelfoot Lake covers 14,500 acres.

Time Zones and Climate   Time Zones   Divided into two times zones.   All of East Tennessee, lies in the Eastern Time Zone.   The rest of the state is in the Central Time Zone.   Climate  Moderate climate. Summers are not excessively hot, nor are winters exceedingly cold.  Average rainfall is 40 to 50 inches a year.  Average annual snowfall is 8 inches.