Tennessee is a unique state in that it shares a border with eight states. It is the home of country music, hillbilly music and many other styles. For the more than 5 million people living in this state, the mockingbird is the state bird and the iris is the state flower. Throughout the year it is the location of many national and international festivals, such as the Music Awards in Nashville, the Gatlinburg Rib Festival and the Saddle Up in Pigeon Forge.
More than half of this state is covered in forest and it was this that first attracted the pioneers, of whom Daniel Boone is the most famous. Its history goes much farther back having been explored by the Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, in 1540. The fur traders plied the rivers and streams trading with the local natives and in the late 1700's it was called the state of Franklin. It officially attained statehood in 1796.
Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry are on all itineraries to visitors in this state, as Elvis's mansion is in Memphis, Graceland. Memphis is also the barbecue capital with the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest held every May. Visit the city made famous through song - Chattanooga, where you can visit the Hudson Museum of Art and the largest freshwater aquarium in the world. If you want to take a trip into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you can start from either Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
Visit the homes of Davy Crockett, Alex Haley (the author of Roots) and Buford Pusser - the real life legend behind the Walking Tall movies. Shiloh National Park is the burial ground for many soldiers in the Civil War battle that took place here and in Brownsville, the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center has five main buildings housing all kinds of historical exhibits. Visit Dollywood, a major attraction in the state, created by a legend in the music world - Dolly Parton.
Along with touring museums, historic sites and homes, there are many golf courses in Tennessee as well as some of the best fishing and hunting in the country. Although there are four distinct seasons, this state generally has a mild climate all year round.
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