TENNESSEE
State Facts
Capital:
Nashville
Most
Populated Cities: Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville,
Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Jackson, Johnson
City, Kingsport, Franklin
Population:
6,038,803 as of 2006 (USA's 2006 population is 299,398,484)
Area
Codes: 423 - 615 - 731 - 865 - 901 - 931
TN
State Motto: Volunteer State
Highest
Point in TN: Clingmans Dome; 6,643 feet,
17th
Lowest
Point in TN: Mississippi River; 182 feet,
29th
TN
Professional Sports: Tennessee Titans (NFL),
Nashville Predators (NFL) and Nashville Kats (AFL)
- all happened to be located in Nashville, TN
TN
College Sports: Memphis Tigers in Memphis,
Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, and the Vanderbilt
Commodores in Nashville
State
Flag: The three stars on the flag represent
the three different land forms in Tennessee —
Mountains in East TN, highlands in middle TN and lowlands
in the West TN. The three regions (stars) are bound
together in indissoluble unity by an unending white
band.
State Seal: The Roman numerals XVI
signify that Tennessee was the 16th state to enter
the Union. The wheat sheaf, plow and cotton stalk
symbolize the importance of agriculture to TN. The
riverboat attests to the importance of river traffic
to commerce.
Tennessee
Songs: The Tennessee Waltz; Tennessee, My
Homeland; Rocky Top; Tennessee; My Tennessee, When
It's Iris Time in Tennessee
State
Flower: The iris (Genus Iridaceae) was designated
as the state cultivated flower in 1933. While there
are many different colors of the iris, the purple
iris is more commonly accepted as the state flower.
State
Wildflower: Passion flower (Genus Passiflora).
It received its name from early Christian missionaries
in South America, who saw symbols of the crucifixion
of Jesus Christ in the flower's various parts.
State
Tree: Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- The tulip poplar was chosen because it was used
extensively by the Tennessee pioneers to construct
their houses, barns and other buildings.
State
Bird: Mockingbird
State
Game Bird: Bobwhite Quail
State
Amphibian: Tennessee Cave Salamander
State
Animal: Raccoon
State
Butterfly: Zebra Swallowtail
State
Insects: Firefly and Ladybug
State
Agriculture Insect: Honeybee
State
Commercial Fish: Channel Catfish
State
Game Fish: Largemouth Bass
State
Reptile: Box Turtle
State
Gem: Tennessee River Pearl. These beautiful
river pearls are taken from mussels in the fresh water
rivers and come in various shapes and colors. Unlike
cultured pearls, which are partially man-made, these
pearls are totally made by the mussel and are 100%
natural pearl all the way through.
State
Rock: Limestone is found just about everywhere
in Tennessee. Tennessee marble, as the metamorphic
version of limestone is widely used in public and
private buildings.
