Open left menu kentucky. Open left menu Kentucky Interesting facts about the state of Kentucky

), officially - Commonwealth of Kentucky(eng. Commonwealth of Kentucky) - a state in the eastern part of the United States, one of the so-called states of the Southeast Center. Population 4,369,356 (; 26th among states). The capital is Frankfort. The largest city is Louisville, other major cities are Lexington-Fayette, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville.

The most significant rivers are the Ohio and Tennessee. Karst landforms are quite common; cave systems are considered the longest in the world. The climate is subtropical continental, average temperature in summer is +31 °C, in winter about 0 °C.

Story

Until the 19th century

The area of ​​modern Kentucky was inhabited by Native Americans beginning around 1000 BC. e. before 1650 AD BC, especially along rivers and in areas suitable for bison hunting. At the time of the arrival of European explorers and first settlers, there was not a single more or less large Indian settlement in the region. The Iroquois controlled most of the Ohio River valley, and their hunting grounds were located there and in the territory of the future state of New York.

During World War I, Kentucky, like other cities in the United States, faced the problem of inflation. At the same time, during this period, active infrastructure construction is underway in the state, new roads are being laid in order to adapt the state to the needs of the growing number of car owners. The war also led to a significant reduction in forests in the state due to their active deforestation.

Tobacco farming and whiskey production experienced active growth during this period, however, when the Eighteenth Amendment came into force, which introduced Prohibition in the United States, the state's economy was dealt a serious blow. Then, alcohol smuggling flourished in Kentucky, which continued until the mid-20th century.

Also in the twenties, the anti-gambling crusade became widespread in Kentucky, driven by Democratic progressives, supported rural population, Protestant clergy and the Ku Klux Klan. The most prominent figure of those events can be called Alben Barkley, who, in addition to the actual fight against gambling, was also notable for the fact that he actively advocated for the interests of workers and farmers, supported Roosevelt's New Deal, and fought against the dominance of the coal industry, all of which allowed him to build successful political career not only within the state, but also at the national level, from the beginning he became a member of the House of Representatives, then a Senator from Kentucky in Congress, and from 1949 to 1953 he served as Vice President of the United States during the administration of Harry Truman.

Great Depression period

The Second World War

During World War II, industry increased in importance and demand for the state's agricultural products decreased. The already large military base Fort Knox has undergone a significant expansion. The world's largest artificial rubber plant was built in Louisville. One of the Ford factories was also located there, which produced about 100,000 jeeps for the army during the war. Therefore, we can say with complete confidence that Kentucky made its own rather impressive contribution to the victory of the Allies. The consequences of the war also include an increase in the state's population's interest in higher education, since specialists with engineering and technical skills were in great demand both during the war and after it.

Kentuckians at war

A native of the state, Kimmel Husband was the commander in chief of the US Pacific Fleet, but after the defeat of the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, he was demoted to the rank of rear admiral, in which rank he served until the end of the war. Sixty-six natives of the state, captured during fighting in Southeast Asia before 1942, were forced to undergo the Bataan Death March. Kentucky-born Franklin Susley was captured in one of the most famous photographs of World War II raising the flag over Iwo Jima. 306,364 Kentuckians served in the military during World War II, seven of whom were awarded the Medal of Honor, while hard times, on the battlefields, the state lost 7,917 of its sons.

Residents of the state distinguished themselves not only at the front, but also in the rear. It is symbolic that one of the prototypes of the cult symbol of the “Rosie the Riveter” era was a native of Kentucky, Rose Monroe.

1945-1980

After World War II, Kentucky was integrated into the US Interstate Highway System, which made it possible to connect even the most remote areas of the state with each other. Since 1951, when the young, progressive and charismatic Lawrence Wetherby was elected governor, the state administration began to work on the development

Kentucky, USA (Kentucky, KY, USA) - Photo

Kentucky (Kentucky, KY) is the eastern state of the United States of America, and is bordered by Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio. State capital - Frankfort city, other large cities include Bowling Green, Louisville, Hopkinsville, Lexington-Fayette. Kentucky joined the United States in 1792 and became the 15th state.

The territory of the state is divided into parts; the Camberlain limestone plateau is located on a huge area. The state is surrounded by rivers: Ohio, Mississippi, Big Sandy And Tug Fork. The bulk of the territory is occupied by the Appalachian Mountains. State of Kentucky nicknamed “the land of blue grass” because the lands are covered with meadow bluegrass. The climate in Kentucky is continental with cold winters and hot summers.

Kentucky is home to almost 4.5 million residents. By race, the state has the largest American population, and when it comes to religion, the majority are evangelical.

The state has mineral resources such as natural gas, oil and coal. The tobacco, textile and food industries are developed at a high level in Kentucky, as well as the production of footwear, electronics, furniture, metal products, alcoholic drinks and rolled ferrous metals. Many industrial companies are located along the Ohio (river). The city of Paducah is considered a large center of the nuclear industry. The state ranks second in the United States in tobacco production. Kentucky farms raise cattle and racehorses. The state produces bourbon (corn whiskey) and develops tourism.

The state has a huge number of places to visit and have a good time, here you can see places that are not found anywhere else in the world.

One of the largest waterfalls in the country is located in Kentucky. There are also a huge number of limestone caves near the Kentucky River. Here is the longest cave in the whole world - Mammoth Cave, it stretches for 630 kilometers. This place alone is visited by half a million tourists every year.

Mammoth Cave

Louisville is famous for its horse racing track called Churchill Downs, where horse racing is held annually. You can also visit museums dedicated to equestrian sports and competitions. Not far from the city there is a storage facility, which houses the US gold reserves.

Newport has a huge aquarium, and Frankfort is home to a whiskey distillery and capitol buildings.

The cave is located in the same name national park in the state of Kentucky, founded on July 1, 1941. It is also known as the Mamontov-Flint Ridge cave system. A system of passages formed about 10 million years ago under the western foothills of the Appalachians, which today are part of Mammoth National Park. Mamontova differs from many other caves not only in size, but also in the fact that it is unusually dry. It is relatively difficult for water to penetrate there, so the familiar stalactites and similar things that accompany the existence of every cave are not often seen there. However, there are places where the stone vaults are damaged, resulting in beautiful frozen waterfalls due to water penetration.

In addition, wide rivers flow through the cave. One of them, bearing the poetic name Styx, flows into an underground lake with the no less poetic name Lethe. Another river, Echo, flows to the surface and continues its path there, called the Green River.

In cave rivers there is a unique shrimp - an eyeless albino. He lives nowhere except Mammoth Cave. In addition to the albino shrimp, blind fish and crayfish live in underground waters.

The National Park offers tours of the cave for tourists, lasting from one to six hours. Moreover, along with popular routes, along corridors and halls illuminated by electric light, alternative tours are conducted to wild and dark places.

Apparently, people have known Mammoth Cave for about six thousand years. Indian burials were found in the cave. Europeans discovered the entrance to the cave only in 1808. But, apparently, in the Mammoth Cave there are still places that have not yet been studied and, in all likelihood, not even discovered.

The most popular attractions in Kentucky with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Find the best places to visit famous places in Kentucky on our website.

Kentucky is the birthplace of bourbon and the first producer of racehorses in the United States. This is one of the eastern states of the USA. In the past, it was the largest slave-holding center in the country; now it is an industrial and agricultural center.

Bluegrass State

Kentucky is part of the most populous region - the Southeastern Central United States. It borders the states of Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.

The name of the state of Kentucky comes from the American Indian language. According to one version, it is translated as “land of meadows.” Another theory is that it means "dark and bloody land" and is associated with the Iroquois tribes who drove other Indians out of the area.

In English, its name sounds like Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is one of four American states (along with Massachusetts, Virginia and Pennsylvania) that have the word "commonwealth" in their name. Kentucky's official nickname is the Bluegrass State, thanks to its rolling meadows covered with this grass.

Geography

The state of Kentucky in the USA covers 104,659 sq. km. It is surrounded on the west by the Mississippi River, on the east by the Big Sandy and Tug Fork rivers, and on the north by the Ohio. The eastern part of the state is occupied by the Cumberland Plateau. These are the slopes of the ancient Appalachian mountains with heights of up to 400 meters.

The plateau is covered with deciduous and coniferous forests, including the Daniel Boone National Forest. Within the plateau there are rivers, small streams and a large reservoir - Lake Cumberland. Here is Cumberland Falls, or “Little Niagara,” where you can see a lunar rainbow on a clear sky during a full moon.

To the west of the plateau stretch the picturesque rolling Bluegrass steppes, covered with dense bluegrass grass. They serve as pastures for livestock. To the southwest are fields with large coal deposits, and further west is the heavily swampy Jackson Purchase region.

In the south is the Mississippi Plateau with many deep and long karst caves that have been washed out by local rivers over the centuries. The most famous and longest cave not only in Kentucky, but also in the world is Mammoth Cave (more than 587 kilometers long, 105 meters deep).

Population and cities

The state is home to 4.4 million people with an average density of 41 people per square kilometer. The racial composition is predominantly white (87%). Kentucky's native Indians represent less than 0.2% of the population. Among the national groups, the largest are the Germans (13%), followed by the Irish (11%) and the British (10%).

The largest cities in the state are Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Covington, etc. The capital of Kentucky, Frankfort, is significantly smaller in size. About 25 thousand people live in it.

The largest city in Kentucky is Louisville. With a population of almost 701 thousand people, it is one of the thirty largest cities in the United States. It is located in the north, separated from Indiana by the Falls of the Ohio River.

It is located on the conventional border between the northern and southern regions of the country and combines two cultural traditions. This is evident at least in the name of the city, in which the letter “s” is never pronounced; even politicians and journalists always say “Louisville”.

Louisville, Kentucky is home to several industrial and business districts and Old city It is considered the largest historical center in the country. It is home to distilleries that produce a third of the country's bourbon. Louisville is also home to General Electric and Ford plants, as well as the headquarters of KFC, Brown-Forman, Pizza Hut, etc.

State history

The nature of Kentucky attracted bison and other animals here, which were hunted by the Cherokee, Shawnee and Iroquois tribes. Europeans arrived here in the 18th century. Their arrival and development of the lands led to bloody confrontations and wars, in which the settlers won.

In 1792, Kentucky became the fifteenth state of the new state - the United States. It was the largest slave-holding center and a border state between the free north and the slave south.

During Civil War A real confrontation began among its residents. President Abraham Lincoln (born in Kentucky in 1809) would ask the state for support in the battle. But the regional authorities officially declared their position of neutrality.

Nevertheless, the population was divided into ardent opponents of the south and its defenders. Massacres by the Ku Klux Klan, blood feuds, and brutal murders of supporters of the opposing camp began, which continued until the beginning of the 20th century.

During the slave system in Kentucky, cattle, tobacco, hemp, flax and corn were raised, thoroughbred horses were bred, and later coal mining began here. Many of these industries are still developing today. Currently, the state produces coal, natural gas and oil, produces tobacco and bourbon, grows forage grasses, corn, soybeans, horse breeding, etc.

State Features

Kentucky is famous for several of its inventions. The first is bourbon, a type of whiskey. It was invented by immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, making it a real symbol of the state.

Unlike traditional barley whiskey, bourbon is made from corn and aged in charred oak barrels for at least four years. Protestant church pastor Elijah Craig and Dr. James Crow were among the first to prepare the drink. Now the most famous brand of bourbon is Jim Beam, which is produced in the city of Clermont.

Kentucky is also considered the birthplace of the bluegrass music genre, named after bluegrass. It features a mixture of traditional British-Irish music with African-American blues and jazz influences.

Typically bluegrass is played with acoustic string instruments only. Typically the lineup includes fiddle, banjo, guitar, double bass and mandolin. Piano, harmonica, drums and accordion are sometimes added. The instruments do not sound together; each of them takes turns performing solo, while the others only accompany him.

Kentucky is not the most popular tourist destination and it seems that we know little about this US state, but the famous melody for the song “Happy Birthday to you” was created here. It’s already becoming interesting and tempting to visit this place, isn’t it? But this is not the only interesting fact about this state. There is a lot to see and visit. Traveling is easy all year round, winters are mild, not like those in Russia, and fog is possible in summer. In general, the weather is pleasant and predisposes to a great time! What is it like, vacation in Kentucky 2019 – prices and entertainment.

Louisville

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky. Tourism is well developed here and everything is created for relaxation. “Old Louisville” is famous - an area in which all the buildings were created in the Victorian style. This place is definitely worth a visit. Guests of any income can choose a hotel from an economy room to a luxury apartment. When you're in Louisville, you can't miss Fourth Street Live, it's all about entertainment.

Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave is the longest cave in the world. It is located in the national park of the same name. It is very interesting to visit it and find out where the name comes from, how and when it was formed. There are several options for excursions in the national park. But what can we do? People come here to see with their own eyes beautiful, picturesque canyons, waterfalls, rock formations and much more. All sections of the cave have their own names. For extreme sports enthusiasts, climbing in undeveloped areas is suitable.

Be sure to try real bourbon, its homeland is Kentucky. Experienced masters will show you how to use this drink correctly.

Kentucky Derby Festival

Horse racing fans should head to Kentucky in July for one of the world's largest festivals of realistic model horses. You can participate in competitions, watch performances, exhibitions, buy souvenirs at fairs or auctions, and participate in master classes. You will definitely find someone to chat with here, because everyone is connected by the same passion.