Bordered by Kentucky. Open the left Kentucky menu. The Great Depression
Kentucky attracts tourists from all over the world with its versatility. People come here to watch horse races and taste real bourbon. Explore caves and enjoy nature.
The state of Kentucky, which became the 15th in a row in the country, received this status in early June 1792. Visually, this territory lies almost in the very center of the south and has an area of \u200b\u200b105 km 2, which is home to about 4.370 million inhabitants.
In the state capital, Frankfort, there are only 25.5 thousand people. But in the largest city of Kentucky - Louisville - there are much more inhabitants - more than 700 thousand.
History reference
Since ancient times, the territory of Kentucky has been a fertile and rich land. Before the arrival of the first Europeans, it was occupied by numerous Indian tribes who hunted for bison.
However, the active development of new territories and the high fertility of the local lands led to a massive resettlement of whites and their wars with the Indians, as a result of which the latter were partially driven into reservations, and partially exterminated altogether.
Like most southern areas, Kentucky specialized in agriculture, slavery was highly developed here. During the Civil War, the territory had the status of "neutral", but in fact its population was divided into two camps: supporting the army of the northerners and the army of the Confederation.
During the World Wars, the inhabitants of Kentucky also actively participated in hostilities, and the state itself changed the specialization of the economy, directing its forces to the extraction of minerals and the processing of resources.
Geographic features
Kentucky is "locked" inland and landlocked. Borders only other US states. Two of the most significant rivers flow on the territory: Tennessee and Ohio.
A large part of the state is occupied by the Appalachian Mountains. It is a mountain system, consisting of massifs and ridges interspersed with plains. On the territory of Kentucky, the Appalachians form caves, considered the deepest and longest in the whole world.
Climate
frankfort is the capital of Kentucky
Kentucky's climate is continental subtropical. As in the true south, it is warm here almost all year round. In winter, temperatures rarely drop below zero degrees, and in the height of summer, thermometers can read 31 ° C and above.
Tourists who want to swim and sunbathe in plenty should not go to Kentucky. But fans of extreme sports here are a real expanse.
The Appalachian Caves keep you cool even during the hottest months. And for those who are not afraid of bad weather, ascents to the highest points of the mountains are held all year round.
Demographic data
Kentucky was one of the centers of the slave system: in Louisville there was the main slave market, from where the active sale of slaves and their dispatch across the country was carried out. That is why African Americans make up a fairly large percentage of the total modern population - 8%.
Louisville is the largest city in the US state of Kentucky.
German-Americans are almost traditionally the majority, followed by the Irish and British.
More than 50% of the population preaches Christianity. The most popular in Kentucky is Baptism, as well as Catholicism. A very large percentage of the population, about 46%, do not profess any religion and consider themselves to be atheists.
Economy
Agriculture is historically the leading area of \u200b\u200bthe economy in Kentucky. Here, tobacco, corn and soybeans are grown on an industrial scale. The second place is occupied by heavy industry - this territory is rich in oil, gas and coal.
Among other areas, mechanical engineering, metal processing and the manufacture of all kinds of products from it, and the production of textiles stand out the most. Also, the state is the birthplace of bourbon - it is special kind whiskey of Kentucky (Kentucky whiskey), made from corn. This territory supplies almost the entire country with this alcoholic drink.
Education
The state is rich in high quality educational institutions. The most significant are:
- University of Kentucky. More than 28 thousand students study here. It has a research focus, although it was originally known as a technical and agricultural college.
- One of the oldest higher education institutions in the United States. He specializes in natural sciences and humanities. Within its walls, students study not only from all over the state, but also from all over the country.
- Western Kentucky University. Originally was college of Educationsupplying teachers to most of the state. Today, in addition to the traditional direction, business sciences and arts are taught here.
University of Kentucky 
sights
Kentucky is interesting for its nature. Tourists are advised to look into the Appalachian Caves and see the Cumberland Falls, which forms an amazingly beautiful rainbow.
Virtually untouched by civilization, nature can also be observed in the state's numerous nature reserves and national parks.
You can take a break from extreme sports and get acquainted with history in museums. It is worth going on an excursion to the whiskey (bourbon) distillery and the Mezhozerie reserve, where a 19th century farm is represented.
Kentucky is also famous for breeding racehorses and conducting races at the Churchill Downs racetrack.
Kentucky's Interlake Game Reserve 
Churchill Downs, Kentucky
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Kentucky State Map:
Kentucky, the official name of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (English Kentucky, Commonwealth of Kentucky) - a state in the eastern United States, is one of the so-called states of the Southeast Center. Population 4.042 million (2000; 25th among states). The capital is Frankfort. The largest city is Louisville, other large cities are Lexington Fayette, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville.
The official mottos of the state are “United We Stand, Divided We Fall” and “Let the Lord be thanked” (Latin Deo Gratiam Habeamus). The official nickname is "Bluegrass State".
Year established: 1792 (15th in order)
State slogan: Together we will stand, separately - we will fall
Formal name: Commonwealth of kentucky
Largest city in the state: Louisville
State capital: Frankfort
Population: more than 4 million people (25th place in the country).
Area: 140.7 thousand sq. Km. (37th place in the country.)
Even larger cities in the state:
The name of Kentucky comes from the Indian name of the river of the same name, about the meaning of which there is still controversy. According to one version, the expression means “Dark and bloody hunting territory”. There are also options for "Tomorrow's Country", "Land of Meadows", etc.
The active development of the territory by Europeans began in the second half of the 18th century. From 1767 to 1771, Daniel Boone traveled through the Appalachian mountains with an expedition. The state split during the Civil War. Legislative Assembly state proclaimed allegiance to the Union. Many Kentucky enlisted in the Unionist Army, but many enlisted in the Confederate Army. In September 1861, Lincoln wrote in a private letter that "the loss of Kentucky would be tantamount to the loss of the entire campaign." In the initial phase, hostilities were fought in the state, but from 1862 Kentucky remained in the hands of the northerners until the end of the war.
A new state constitution was adopted in 1891.
Geography and climate of Kentucky
Kentucky covers an area of \u200b\u200b104,749 thousand km² (37th place among the states). In the east, it borders the states of West Virginia and Virginia, in the south - with Tennessee, in the west - with Missouri, in the north - with Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. The main part of the territory falls on the Appalachian mountains.
The most significant rivers are Ohio and Tennessee. Karst landforms are quite common; cave systems are considered the longest in the world. The climate is subtropical continental, the average temperature in summer is +31, in winter about 0.
Economy of Kentucky
In 2003, Kentucky's GDP was $ 129 billion. Among the state's most important minerals are coal, natural gas and oil. The state's industry is concentrated along the Ohio River. The most developed are the food, textile and tobacco industries, as well as mechanical engineering, rolling of ferrous metals, the production of metal products, vehicles, electronics, furniture, footwear, alcoholic beverages, and there are chemical industry enterprises.
In agriculture, the leading role is played by crop production - the production of tobacco (Kentucky is the second largest tobacco producer in the country after Virginia), forage grasses, soybeans, and corn. Kentucky ranks first in the United States in breeding racehorses and sixth in breeding cattle.
Kentucky is considered the birthplace and main production area of \u200b\u200bbourbon - American corn whiskey. Kentucky is home to all of the largest and most famous distilleries that produce bourbon.
The berry of this state is blackcurrant and the drink is milk. Kentucky gets its name from the Iroquois word kenhtake, which means "meadow" or "prairie." The bluegrass growing everywhere here has become the reason for the unofficial nickname of the state - "Bluegrass State". Moreover, one of the five main areas into which Kentucky is divided is also called the Bluegrass Region. Here is such a variety of symbols and meanings in one bottle!
Almost every inhabitant of the planet knows the congratulatory song "Happy Birthday to you". The melody for the famous song was composed in the state of Kentucky!
The state capital is Frankfort.
Major cities are Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Covington, Hopkinsville, Henderson, Richmond, Jeffersontown.
How to get there
The road to Kentucky is not short and expensive. One of the options - three planes on the route Moscow - Washington - Atlanta - Louisville. The journey, together with waiting for flights, will take 19 hours (this is the best option) and will cost at least RUB 95,000 one way per passenger.
The prices on the page are for November 2019.
Find Flights to Kentucky
Weather in Kentucky
Kentucky has a subtropical continental climate. The thermometer does not drop below -5 ° C in winter and does not rise above +31 ° C in summer. From time to time disasters occur in Kentucky. The last major tornado occurred in 2008, and severe flooding occurred in 1977 and 1997.
Popular hotels in Kentucky
Attractions, entertainment and features of Kentucky
Almost every inhabitant of the planet knows the congratulatory song "Happy Birthday to you". The melody for the famous song was composed in the state of Kentucky! In 1893, two teachers primary school Louisville wrote it to say hello to the children before class. But the words and content were originally different - "Good Morning to All". And by 1912 the lyrics of the song had suddenly changed.
As a result, the congratulatory song in 1998 entered the Guinness Book of Records as the most recognizable song on english language... Today "Happy Birthday to you" has been translated into 18 languages!
Louisville
Louisville has 122 city parks with a total area of \u200b\u200bover 57 km. The most visited is Cherokee Park.
Louisville is the birthplace of chewing gum. In 1873, it was invented by a native of this city, John Cogan.
The most famous landmark is "Old Louisville": the largest historic urban area in the United States and the third largest in the world, completely built in Victorian style.
Mammoth cave
One of the largest karst caves in the world is located near Louisville - Mamontova ... It was discovered in 1799, its depth is 300 m. The largest hall of the cave stretches for 5 km, its width is 90 m, and the height of the vaults is 40 m. The cave is decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. In 1936, Mammoth Cave was declared a National Park. It is adjacent to the Flint Ridge Cave, and now the unified Flint - Mamontova system reaches a length of 500 km.
Horse racing
Kentucky supplies 30% of all racehorses in America, so there is nothing without equestrian competitions here. In May, thousands of horse racing enthusiasts flock to Louisville for America's most famous Kentucky Derby. They have been held since 1875 at the Churchill Downs racetrack. Near Louisville is the Kentucky Horse Breeding Farm. Here you can see a horse show, ride a horse-drawn carriage or horseback, or just relax at the campsite.
Summer in Kentucky
Kentucky whiskey
The Kentucky city of Bardstown is famous for the popular American type of whiskey - bourbon. This is one of the unofficial symbols of the United States. For the first time, the bourbon drink appeared in Kentucky, when settlers from Scotland and Ireland arrived here at the end of the 18th century, familiar with the technology of making ordinary whiskey. Baptist preacher Elijah Craig of Kentucky was the first to age the whiskey in a burnt barrel, which gave the drink a reddish hue and original taste.
The main difference between bourbon and Scotch, Irish or other whiskey is that bourbon is made from corn, not barley, and is aged in oak barrels before use, which must be burnt from the inside.
Political Kentucky
Kentucky was home to two politicians who led two militant camps during the Civil War of 1861-1865. This is the 14th US President Abraham Lincoln and the leader of the Southern Confederation Jefferson Davis. The first of them was born near Hodgenville, and the second - 150 km from this place, in Fairview. The hut, in which Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, has survived: now it is located inside the memorial structure.
Fort Knox
The city of Fort Knox is not a tourist center, but it is notable for the fact that it houses the US gold reserve, the walls of which are made of granite and filled with concrete. Fort Knox is a US military base located 30 miles southwest of Louisville and covers an area of \u200b\u200b440 square kilometers. More than $ 6 billion worth of gold bars are now stored here!
In the east of the United States is the state of Kentucky with the main city of Frankfort. The southern neighbor of the state is Tennessee, to the north are Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, in the east there are borders with West Virginia and Virginia, to the south is the state of Missouri.
The main territory of Kentucky is occupied by the huge Cumberland Plateau. On all sides, the state is surrounded by deep rivers - Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Tag Fork, Big Sandy. Part of the state is covered by the high Appalachian mountain ranges. To the west are unsteady swampy plains.
The climate is mostly subtropical and continental. The average temperature in winter is not lower than -5 0 С.
State history
The first Europeans arrived in Kentucky in the mid-18th century. As a result, European settlements began to form rapidly on its territory.
Soon, a new county of Kentucky appeared in the eastern United States, which also included the lands of Virginia. But a few years later, Virginia declared its independence, as a result - Kentucky fell apart into 3 parts.
In the late 18th century (1792), Kentucky was named the fifteenth American state.
State landmarks
The city of Louisville has long been incredibly popular. Several dozen natural and urban parks are located within its boundaries. The largest of these is Cherokee Park. This is a great place for a family vacation. Tourists are given the opportunity to take a walking or cycling tour of the park. Enjoy the fresh air and the scent of numerous herbs and flowers. Admire the beauty of the picturesque ponds with lilies and magnolias.
History and culture lovers must visit the old quarter of Louisville. Walking through the narrow, winding streets of the quarter, tourists find themselves in the wonderful world of the Victorian era. A huge number of ancient buildings and structures were built on its territory. Several historical museums and monuments are located here.
The famous Mammoth Cave, nestled near Louisville, attracts great attention. It reaches a depth of three hundred meters. There are several spacious rooms inside. The walls and ceiling of the cave are decorated with bizarre figures of stalactites and stalagmites.
Gambling tourists are recommended to visit the Churchill Downs city race track. Horse races are held on its territory every spring. There is a large horse farm not far from the hippodrome. Tourists are given the opportunity to take part in an exciting horse show or take a walk in the immediate vicinity in a horse-drawn carriage. Nearby there is a small Museum dedicated to horses.
The city of Fort Knox attracts great interest. He received fame - a golden city, since on its territory is located the repository of America's huge gold reserve. The thick granite walls of the vault reliably protect their treasures.
Ecotourism lovers simply need to visit the foot of the Cumberland Falls. A breathtaking sight opens before their eyes - a huge stream of water falls from a bird's eye view, streaming along steep cliffs in powerful cascades.
A large aquarium awaits children in Newport, surprising with a variety of marine life. In Frankfort, tourists are given the opportunity to visit the Capitol building or visit a whiskey distillery.
Recreation and entertainment
Rest in Kentucky attracts mostly fans of sightseeing tourism. For example, in Frankfort, no one will remain indifferent at the sight of the magnificent old quarter - several buildings of the 19th century, made of Italian bricks.
For ecotourism lovers, special hiking and trekking paths have been created in natural areas.
Numerous gambling establishments of Louisville are waiting for gambling tourists. There are also several sports fields for golf and tennis.
The children's audience will be delighted with the SkyZoneTrampoline Park entertainment center. On its territory there is a huge number of different attractions. Playgrounds and playgrounds, cozy cafes and souvenir shops are located everywhere. For fans of water activities, Bowling Green Water Park is the best choice.
Numerous restaurants in Kentucky are famous for their fine national cuisine. Visitors will appreciate the taste of real Kentucky bourbon and whiskey. Fried chicken is the signature dish of all restaurants.
Kentucky is the birthplace of the legendary boxer Mohammed Ali, famous actors Johnny Depp and George Clooney.
It was in Kentucky that the world famous song "Happy Birthday to you" was born.