Tennessee An Study Of An American Treasure By Cameron Childers

Tennessee State Information State Size: 42,144 square miles (34th in size) State Capital: Nashville (named after Francis Nash a revolutionary war General) Major cities: Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville Admission to union: The 16th State Date entered the union: June 1, 1796 Origin of state name: Named after the Indian village "Tanasi". Nicknames: The Volunteer State Bordering States: Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas State Bird: Mockingbird State Flower: Iris State Tree: Yellow Poplar Motto: Tennessee - America at its Best

Tennessee State Location Absolute Location: 35N / 85W Relative Location: South Eastern United States Tennessee

Tennessee Movement / Economy Automotive Manufacturing: Automotive-related production accounts for one in three Tennessee manufacturing jobs, employing more than 105,000 people. The automotive industry relies heavily on river transportation along with the interstate highway system to receive materials and transport finished automobiles to dealers Energy: Tennessee has developed an emerging energy technology sector. The state has become a leader in energy research and renewable energy production Tennessee is able to put more electricity onto the national power grid thanks to it’s research into better ways to produce electricity Manufacturing: Manufacturing is a major employment sector in Tennessee, accounting for more than 360,000 jobs. Thanks to a moderate climate, skilled workforce and a modern interstate roadway system, products produced in Tennessee can be transported all over the US and the world

Tennessee: Place What’s There Tennessee is home to many landmark locations and attractions Graceland Home of world-famous singer and movie star Elvis Presley, Graceland was built about 1940 by Grace Moore. Smokey Mountain National Park Most visited national park in the United States Tennessee State Capitol A masterpiece of Greek Revival architecture, the Tennessee Capitol was completed in 1859 and is one of the oldest working capitols in the United States. Beale Street Historic District Birthplace of the blues style of music, Beale Street produced significant developments in African American music and the music of the United States in general Montgomery Bell Tunnel This is the oldest known full-size tunnel in the US. It was built in by Montgomery Bell to divert water to provide industrial power. Ryman Auditorium This auditorium was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from for 31 years from 1943 to 1974 Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forage Area Located in eastern Tennessee, this area is one of the most visited tourist attraction districts in the United States X-10 Reactor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory As the main atomic research facility in the United States, this nuclear reactor pioneered the production of plutonium. Built in 1943, it was the world's first full- scale reactor.

Tennessee Climate Average Summer Temperature is degrees Fahrenheit Average Winter Temperature rarely falls below 10 degrees Fahrenheit Tennessee Averages 50 inches of Precipitation a year

Tennessee Landforms / Regions West Tennessee East Tennessee Middle Tennessee

Tennessee Human / Environmental Interaction The Tennessee Nature Conservatory has acquired over 300,000 acres or land in and around the Smokey Mountain National Park. These areas are being used to teach visitors about the fragile relationship between man and nature. The Vanderbilt Center for Environmental Management Studies had started a project to help Tennessee residents control the increasingly polluted waters by sources including fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural lands and residential areas; oil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban runoff; eroded sediment from construction sites, crop fields, forest lands and stream banks; and bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes and faulty septic tanks Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga were among the top 25 most ozone- polluted cities in America, according to the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air.” Tennessee lags behind many other states in the amount of money it dedicates – approximately $10 million per year – to acquire land for public use. States larger and smaller than Tennessee, such as Florida and New Jersey, dedicate $300 million and $98 million respectively to land acquisition and conservation programs.

Conclusion As shown in this presentation, Tennessee is truly an American treasure for many reason. The cultural & economic contributions this state continues to make, continues to help shape the direction of the entire country. Many companies such as FedEx & Nissan have recognized the value of the state’s central location in addition to the skilled workforce, mild climate and abundant natural resources. Like many states, Tennessee faces the problem of preserving its cultural history and abundant natural resources. As shown in this presentation, they are being proactive in identifying these problems and dealing with NOW rather than wait for them to become unmanageable.