Tennessee
Located in the southeastern portion of the United States, Tennessee is the 36th largest state by area, and 16th most populous with over 6.7 million residents living in the state. The Appalachian Mountains make up a majority of the eastern portion of the state, while the western is bordered by the Mississippi River. Nashville is both the state capital and most populous city, with nearly 700,000 inhabitants. Memphis is the second largest city with just over 650,000 residents.
Major industries in the state include agricultural, tourism, and manufacturing. Cattle, poultry, and soybeans are the major agricultural outputs in the state, and chemical manufacturing, transportation and electrical equipment, are the main exports from the state. Major outputs include the textile industry, electrical power, and cotton. Many major companies are headquartered in the state including FedEX, International Paper, AutoZone, Nissan Motor Company, Volkswagen, and Pilot Corporation, among others.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in Tennessee. Other major attractions include Dollywood, the Tennessee Aquarium, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the National Civil Rights Museum, Elvis Presley’s home (Graceland), and the Jack Daniels Distillery. Bristol Motor Speedway is also a popular destination during NASCAR and other racing seasons.
The state contributes 11 electoral votes during Presidential elections, having voted for a Republican candidate in recent memory.
The state government of Tennesee, like most states, divides political power between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The executive branch is led by the governor, who is elected in a statewide election. He or she serves a four year term, and can serve up to two terms.
The legislature is the Tennessee General Assembly, that meets in Nashville. The bicameral body includes a 99-member House of Representatives, where members serve two year terms, and a smaller Senate, where terms are set at four years.
The judiciary in Tennessee includes several levels of court systems, where disputes, both civil and criminal are adjudicated. The Tennessee Supreme Court has a chief justice and four additional, associate justices. The court appoints the Attorney General, a practice unique to Tennesee. Additional courts include Tennessee Circuit Courts, Tennessee Chancery and Probate Courts, Tennessee Criminal Courts, as well as Juvenile and Family Courts, Municipal and City Courts, and the Tennessee General Session Courts.
Tennessee is part of the Sixth Federal Circuit Court.
Tennessee is also home to many major universities and public education institutions including the University of Tennessee, University of Memphis, Vanderbilt, and Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to the state parks, the state is known as the home of Country Music, with most country-artists calling Nashville home.
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