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Map of Tennessee

The state of Tennessee is located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to the south, Arkansas to the southwest, and Missouri to the northwest.

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Map of Tennessee State

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About the map:

This map of Tennessee State shows the state borders, states, state capital, county borders, counties, county seats and important cities.

County seats are indicated by a red circle, white circles indicate cities, and the capital of Tennessee is indicated by a star in the red circle. The larger the city in terms of population, the larger the circle on the map and the larger the font of the city name.


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Tennessee State Maps

Tennessee County Map

Tennessee County Map

Counties and County Seats in Tennessee

Map of counties and county seats in Tennessee

Other Maps of Tennessee

Google Map
Bing Maps
USGS National Map
OpenStreetMap
Tennessee Official State Map - PDF

Tennessee State Profile

Key Facts:
Seal of Tennessee

The Great Seal of the State of Tennessee

 Flag of Tennessee

Flag of Tennessee
Capital: Nashville
Largest city: Nashville
Largest county by population: Shelby
Largest county by area: Shelby
Area: 42,181 sq mi (109,247 km2)
Population (2024): 7,227,750[1]
Density: 171./sq mi (65.9/km2)
Dimensions:
  • Length 440 mi (710 km)
  • Width 120 mi (195 km)
Latitude: 34°59′ N to 36°41′ N
Longitude: 81°39′ W to 90°19′ W
Elevation:
  • Highest elevation (Kuwohi) - 6,643 ft (2,025 m)
  • Lowest elevation (Mississippi River at Mississippi border) - 178 ft (54 m)
Religion (2024):[2]
  • 73% - Protestantism
  • 8% - Catholicism
  • 3% - Other Christianity
  • 1% - Judaism
  • 1% - Islam
  • 14% - Unaffiliated
  • 3% - other religions
Racial/ethnic groups (2024):[1]
  • 72% White
  • 16.5% Black or African American
  • 7.5% Hispanic or Latino
  • 2.3% Two or more races
  • 2.1% Asian
  • 0.6% Native American or Alaska Native
  • 0.1% Pacific Islander
Median household income (2023): $67,097[1]
USPS abbreviation: TN
ISO 3166 code: US-TN
Time zone: East Tennessee: UTC−05:00 (Eastern)
Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (EDT)

Middle and West Tennessee: UTC−06:00 (Central)
Summer (DST) UTC−05:00 (CDT)
The Official Website of the State of Tennessee: www.tn.gov


About the State of Tennessee

Tennessee is a state located in the southeastern United States. It borders 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 capital and largest city is Nashville.

Where is the state of Tennessee in the United States of America?
Tennessee State Location Map

Tennessee encompasses 42,181 square miles (109,247 square kilometers) and has a population of approximately 7.2 million people (2024 estimate), making it the 16th most populous state in the nation. The major urban centers include Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.

The state's economy centers on diverse sectors including automotive manufacturing, healthcare, music industry, agriculture, and tourism. Nashville serves as a major hub for healthcare companies and the country music industry, while Memphis plays a crucial role in transportation and logistics through FedEx's global headquarters. The state also hosts manufacturing facilities for major automotive companies like Nissan, Volkswagen, and General Motors.

Tennessee's tourism industry generates significant revenue through its numerous attractions. Notable sites include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most visited national park, and Graceland, Elvis Presley's former mansion in Memphis. Music enthusiasts visit Nashville's Broadway and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Other prominent attractions include Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, and Beale Street in Memphis, known for its blues music heritage.

The state maintains a strong educational presence with notable institutions including Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee system, and Rhodes College. Tennessee's transportation infrastructure features major interstate highways, international airports in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, and significant railway networks.

Tennessee's climate features hot summers and mild winters, with varying conditions between regions. The state experiences average annual temperatures ranging from 58°F (14.4°C) in the east to 62°F (16.7°C) in the southwest. This climate supports diverse agricultural production, including soybeans, corn, cotton, and tobacco.

Brief History

Tennessee, the 16th state admitted to the Union in 1796, emerged from territory initially explored by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Native American tribes, primarily the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek, inhabited the region for thousands of years before European contact.

The first permanent European settlements appeared in 1769 in East Tennessee. James Robertson and John Donelson established Fort Nashborough (modern-day Nashville) in 1779, which became a crucial frontier outpost. The state's early development centered around these settlements, with agriculture and trade serving as economic foundations. The territory initially belonged to North Carolina but briefly existed as the independent State of Franklin (1784-1788) before joining the United States.

Tennessee played significant roles in American military history. The state contributed heavily to the War of 1812, earning its nickname "The Volunteer State" when 3,500 Tennesseans joined Andrew Jackson's forces. During the Civil War, Tennessee became the last state to secede from the Union in 1861 and the first to rejoin in 1866. The state witnessed crucial battles at Shiloh, Franklin, and Nashville.

The 20th century brought substantial economic and social changes. The Tennessee Valley Authority, established in 1933, revolutionized the region's power generation and flood control. Memphis emerged as a crucial center for blues music and civil rights activism. Oak Ridge's secret facilities contributed significantly to the Manhattan Project during World War II.

Modern Tennessee maintains a diverse economy based on agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare. The state's major urban centers - Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga - have become regional hubs for commerce, education, and culture. Tennessee's population growth and economic development continue to shape its role in the southeastern United States.

Major cities in Tennessee

  • Nashville
  • Memphis
  • Knoxville
  • Chattanooga
  • Clarksville
  • Murfreesboro
  • Franklin
  • Johnson City
  • Jackson
  • Hendersonville
  • Bartlett
  • Kingsport
  • Smyrna
  • Collierville
  • Spring Hill
  • Cleveland
  • Brentwood
  • Gallatin
  • Columbia
  • Germantown

Counties in Tennessee

There are 95 counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee.

List of counties in Tennessee

Tennessee County Map
Tennessee County Map

Geography of Tennessee

Tennessee occupies a strategic position in the southeastern United States, stretching 432 miles east to west and 112 miles north to south. The state encompasses 42,144 square miles of diverse terrain, ranking 36th in size among U.S. states. Three distinct geographic regions define Tennessee's landscape: the Appalachian Mountains in the east, the Cumberland Plateau in the middle, and the Mississippi River Valley in the west.

The eastern region features the Great Smoky Mountains, which contain the state's highest point, Clingmans Dome, at 6,643 feet. This mountainous terrain transitions into the Tennessee Valley, characterized by parallel ridges and valleys running northeast to southwest. The Cumberland Plateau, averaging 2,000 feet in elevation, creates a natural divide between East and Middle Tennessee. The Nashville Basin, surrounded by the Highland Rim, dominates the central region with its fertile limestone-based soils.

Tennessee's climate exhibits humid subtropical characteristics, with significant regional variations due to elevation differences. The state experiences hot summers with average July temperatures ranging from 85°F to 90°F, while winter temperatures typically range from 30°F to 40°F in January. Annual precipitation averages 50 inches statewide, with the highest amounts occurring in the mountainous east. The growing season varies from 180 days in East Tennessee to 230 days in the southwest.

Major river systems shape Tennessee's geography and economy. The Tennessee River forms a significant transportation corridor, while the Cumberland River supplies water to major urban areas. The Mississippi River establishes the state's western boundary, creating fertile bottomlands suitable for agriculture. These waterways, combined with numerous tributaries, provide extensive hydroelectric power generation and recreational opportunities. The state maintains over 1,300 lakes and reservoirs, with Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley ranking among the largest human-made lakes in the eastern United States.

Below you will find a list of the largest lakes, the longest rivers, and the highest mountains in Tennessee.

Major Rivers in Tennessee

  • Cumberland River - 688 mi (1,107 km)
  • Tennessee River - 652 mi (1,049 km)
  • Clinch River - 337 mi (542 km)
  • Duck River - 284 mi (457 km)
  • Holston River - 274 mi (441 km)
  • French Broad River - 218 mi (351 km)
  • Powell River - 195 mi (314 km)
  • Elk River - 195 mi (314 km)
  • Obion River - 185 mi (298 km)
  • Hiwassee River - 147 mi (237 km)
  • Caney Fork River - 143 mi (230 km)
  • Little Tennessee River - 135 mi (217 km)
  • Buffalo River - 125 mi (201 km)
  • Sequatchie River - 116 mi (187 km)
  • Nolichucky River - 115 mi (185 km)
  • Stones River - 112 mi (180 km)
  • Red River - 97 mi (156 km)
  • Watauga River - 78 mi (126 km)
  • Pigeon River - 70 mi (113 km)
  • Collins River - 67 mi (108 km)


Major Lakes in Tennessee

  • Kentucky Lake - 160 sq mi (414 km2)
  • Watts Bar Lake - 39 sq mi (101 km2)
  • Chickamauga Lake - 35 sq mi (91 km2)
  • Norris Lake - 34 sq mi (88 km2)
  • Cherokee Lake - 30 sq mi (78 km2)
  • Douglas Lake - 30 sq mi (78 km2)
  • Dale Hollow Lake - 27 sq mi (70 km2)
  • Old Hickory Lake - 22 sq mi (57 km2)
  • Center Hill Lake - 18 sq mi (47 km2)
  • Tellico Lake - 15.8 sq mi (41 km2)


The Highest Mountains in Tennessee

  • Clingmans Dome - 6,643 ft (2,025 m)
  • Mount Guyot - 6,621 ft (2,018 m)
  • Mount Le Conte - 6,593 ft (2,010 m)
  • Mount Chapman - 6,417 ft (1,956 m)
  • Old Black - 6,370 ft (1,942 m)
  • Roan High Knob - 6,285 ft (1,916 m)
  • Big Cataloochee - 6,155 ft (1,876 m)
  • Mount Kephart - 6,217 ft (1,894 m)
  • Mount Sequoyah - 6,003 ft (1,830 m)
  • Mount Sterling - 5,842 ft (1,780 m)
  • Luftee Knob - 5,840 ft (1,780 m)
  • Max Patch - 5,807 ft (1,770 m)
  • Marks Knob - 5,720 ft (1,744 m)
  • Mount Cammerer - 5,688 ft (1,734 m)
  • Big Butt Mountain - 5,594 ft (1,705 m)
  • Green Knob - 5,560 ft (1,694 m)
  • Snowbird Mountain - 5,527 ft (1,684 m)
  • Mount Harrison - 5,482 ft (1,671 m)
  • Thunderhead Mountain - 5,527 ft (1,684 m)
  • Rocky Top - 5,441 ft (1,658 m)




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References

1. ^ QuickFacts Tennessee. U.S. Census Bureau.
2. ^ Religious Landscape Study. Public Religion Research Institute.