Origin of name
See also: List of Kentucky counties
Kentucky borders states of both the Midwest and the Southeast. West Virginia lies to the east, Virginia to the southeast, Tennessee to the south, Missouri to the west, Illinois and Indiana to the northwest, and Ohio to the north and northeast. Kentucky's northern border is formed by the Ohio River; its western border by the Mississippi River.
Kentucky is the only U.S. state to have a non-contiguous part exist as an exclave surrounded by other states. Fulton County, in the far west corner of the state, includes a small part of land, Kentucky Bend, on the Mississippi River bordered by Missouri and accessible via Tennessee, created by the New Madrid Earthquake. Because today's largest county by area, Pike County, is 788 square miles, it is now impossible to create a new county from a single existing county under the current constitution. Any county created in this manner will by necessity either be smaller than 400 square miles or reduce the land area of the old county to less than 400 square miles. It is still theoretically possible to form a new county from portions of more than one existing county (McCreary County was created from portions of three counties), but the area and boundary restrictions would make this extremely difficult.

must have a land area of at least 400 square miles;
must have a population of at least 12,000 people;
must not by its creation reduce the land area of an existing county to less than 400 square miles;
must not by its creation reduce the population of an existing county to less than 12,000 people;
must not create a county boundary line that passes within 10 miles of an existing county seat. Geography
Located within the southeastern interior portion of North America, Kentucky has a climate described as humid subtropical (indicating that all monthly average temperatures are above freezing). Monthly average temperatures in Kentucky range from a high in the high 80's and low 90's (30.9 °C) to a low in the high 30's to low 40's (-4.9 °C) and averages 46 inches (116.84 cm) of precipitation a year.
Major weather events that have affected Kentucky include:

The Mid-Mississippi Valley Tornado Outbreak of March 1890
The Ohio River flood of 1937
The Super Outbreak of tornadoes in 1974
Massive flooding in 1997
The North American blizzard of 2003 (mostly ice in Kentucky) Climate
Kentucky's 90,000 miles of streams provides one of the most expansive and complex stream systems in the nation. Kentucky has both the largest artificial lake east of the Mississippi in water volume (Lake Cumberland) and surface acreage (Kentucky Lake). It is the only U.S. state to be bordered on three sides by rivers — the Mississippi River to the west, the Ohio River to the north, and the Big Sandy River and Tug Fork to the east.

Lakes and rivers
Kentucky has an expansive park system which includes one national park, two National Recreation areas, two National Historic Parks, two national forests, 45 state parks, 37,696 acres of state forest, and 82 Wildlife Management Areas.
Kentucky has been part of two of the most successful wildlife reintroduction projects in United States history. In the winter of 1997, the state's eastern counties began to re-stock elk, which had been extinct from the area for over 150 years. As of 2006, the state's herd was estimated at 5,700 animals, the largest herd east of the Mississippi River.
The state also stocked wild turkeys in the 1950s. Once extinct in the state, today Kentucky has more turkeys per capita than any other eastern state.

Natural environment and conservation

Top tourist attractions in Kentucky

Cumberland Gap, chief passageway through the Appalachian Mountains in early American history.
Cumberland Falls State Park, the only place in the Western Hemisphere where a "moon-bow" may be seen.
Green River Lake State Park, located in Taylor County.
Lake Cumberland, 1255 miles of shoreline located in South Central Kentucky. Significant natural attractions

Main article: History of Kentucky History

Law and government
Kentucky is one of only five states that elects its state officials in odd numbered years (The others are Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia). Kentucky holds elections for these offices every 4 years in the years preceding Presidential election years. Thus, the last year when Kentucky elected a Governor was 2003; the next gubernatorial election will occur in 2007, with future gubernatorial elections to take place in 2011, 2015, 2019, etc.

Government
Kentucky's legislative branch consists of a bicameral body known as the Kentucky General Assembly. The Senate is considered the upper house. It has 38 members, and is led by the President of the Senate, currently Republican David L. Williams. The House of Representatives has 100 members, and is led by the Speaker of the House, currently Democrat Jody Richards.
The executive branch is headed by the governor and lieutenant governor. Under the current Kentucky Constitution, the lieutenant governor assumes the duties of the governor only if the governor is incapacitated. (Prior to 1992, the lieutenant governor assumed power any time the governor was out of the state.) The governor and lieutenant governor usually run on a single ticket (also per a 1992 constitutional amendment), and are elected to four-year terms. Currently, the governor and lieutenant governor are Republicans Ernie Fletcher and Steve Pence, respectively.
The judicial branch of Kentucky is made up of courts of limited jurisdiction called District Courts; courts of general jurisdiction called Circuit Courts; an intermediate appellate court, the Kentucky Court of Appeals; and a court of last resort, the Kentucky Supreme Court. Unlike federal judges, who are usually appointed, justices serving on Kentucky state courts are chosen by the state's populace in non-partisan elections.
The state's chief prosecutor, law enforcement officer, and law officer is the attorney general. The attorney general is elected to a four-year term and may serve two consecutive terms under the current Kentucky Constitution. Currently, the Kentucky attorney general is Democrat Greg Stumbo.

State government
Kentucky's two Senators are Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, both Republicans. The state is divided into six Congressional Districts, represented by Republicans Ed Whitfield (1).
Judicially, Kentucky is split into two Federal court districts: the Kentucky Eastern District and the Kentucky Western District. Appeals are heard in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Federal representation
Where politics are concerned, Kentucky historically has been very hard fought and leaned slightly toward the Democratic Party, although it was never included among the "Solid South." In 2006, 57.05% of the state's voters were officially registered as Democrats, 36.55% registered Republican, and 6.39% registered with some other political party.

Political leanings
Kentucky's body of laws, known as the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS), were enacted in 1942 to better organize and clarify the whole of Kentucky law.

Law
As of July 1, 2006, Kentucky has an estimated population of 4,206,074, which is an increase of 33,466, or 0.8%, from the prior year and an increase of 164,586, or 4.1%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 77,156 people (that is 287,222 births minus 210,066 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 59,604 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 27,435 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 32,169 people. As of 2004, Kentucky's population included about 95,000 foreign-born (2.3%).
Since 1900, rural Kentucky counties have experienced a net loss of over 1 million people, while urban areas have experienced a slight net gain in population.

Demographics
The five largest ancestries in the commonwealth are: American (20.9%) (Mostly of British ancestry), German (12.7%), Irish (10.5%) (Most actually of Scots-Irish descent), English (9.7%), African American (7.8%).
African Americans, who made up one-fourth of Kentucky's population prior to the Civil War, declined in number as many moved to the industrial North in the Great Migration. Today they are mostly concentrated in the Central and Western areas of the state (notable communities being Christian County and the city of Paducah), the Bluegrass, and the cities of Louisville and Lexington.

Race and ancestry
In 2000, The Association of Religion Data Archives reported that of Kentucky's 4,041,769 residents:
Today Kentucky is home to several seminaries. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville is the principal seminary for the Southern Baptist Convention. Louisville is also the home of the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Lexington also has a seminary, Lexington Theological Seminary, and Asbury Theological Seminary is located in nearby Wilmore. In addition to seminaries, there are several colleges affiliated with denominations. Transylvania in Lexington is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ. In Louisville, Bellarmine and Spalding are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Louisville is also home to the headquarters of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and their printing press. Louisville is also home to a sizable Jewish population.

33.68% were members of evangelical Protestant churches

• Southern Baptist Convention (979,994 members, 24.25%)
  Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (106,638 members, 2.64%)
  Church of Christ (58,602 members, 1.45%)
  10.05% were Roman Catholics
  8.77% belonged to mainline Protestant churches
  
  
  
  • United Methodist Church (208,720 members, 5.16%)
    Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (67,611 members, 1.67%)
    0.05% were members of orthodox churches
    0.88% were affiliated with other theologies
    46.57% were not affiliated with any church. Religion
    Religious movements were important in the early history of Kentucky. Perhaps the most famous event was the interdenominational revival in August 1801 at the Cane Ridge Meeting house in Bourbon County. As part of what is now known as the "Western Revival", thousands began meeting around a Presbyterian communion service on August 6, 1801, and ended six days later on August 12, 1801 when both humans and horses ran out of food.
    
    Religious movements
    The total gross state product for 2005 was US$140.4 billion, 27
    
    Economy
    There are 5 income tax brackets, ranging from 2% to 6% of personal income. Intangible property consisted of any property or investment which represents evidence of value or the right to value. Some types of intangible property included: bonds, notes, retail repurchase agreements, accounts receivable, trusts, enforceable contracts sale of real estate (land contracts), money in hand, money in safe deposit boxes, annuities, interests in estates, loans to stockholders, and commercial paper.
    
    State taxes
    To boost Kentucky's image, give it a consistent reach, and help Kentucky stand out from the crowd" the Fletcher administration launched a comprehensive branding campaign with the hope of making its $12 - $14 million advertising budget more effective. The "Unbridled Spirit" brand was the result of a $500,000 contract with New West, a Kentucky-based public relations, advertising and marketing firm to develop a viable brand and tag line. The administration has been aggressively marketing the brand in both the public and private sectors. The "Welcome to Kentucky" signs at border areas have Unbridled Spirit's symbol on them.
    The previous campaign was neither a failure nor a success. Kentucky's "It's that friendly" slogan hoped to draw more people into the state based of the idea of southern hospitality. Though most Kentuckians liked the slogan, as it embraced southern values, it was also not an image that encouraged tourism as much as initially hoped for. Therefore it was necessary to reconfigure a slogan to embrace Kentucky as a whole while also encouraging more people to visit the Bluegrass.
    
    "Unbridled Spirit"
    
    Transportation
    See also: List of Kentucky State Highways
    Kentucky is served by five major interstate highways, nine parkways, and three bypasses and spurs. The parkways were originally toll roads, but on November 22, 2006, Governor Ernie Fletcher ended the toll charges on the William H. Natcher Parkway and the Audubon Parkway, the last two parkways in Kentucky to charge tolls for access.
    
    Roads
    See also: List of Kentucky railroads
    Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Ashland, South Portsmouth and Fulton, Kentucky. The Cardinal, Trains 50 and 51, is the line that offers Amtrak service to Ashland and South Portsmouth. Amtrak Trains 58 and 59, the City of New Orleans serves Fulton. The Northern Kentucky area, is served by the Cardinal at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. The Museum Center is just across the Ohio River in Cincinnati.
    As of 2004, there were approximately 2,640 miles (4,250.4 km) of railways in Kentucky, with about 65% of those being operated by CSX Transportation. Coal was by far the most common cargo, accounting for 76% of cargo loaded and 61% of cargo delivered.
    
    Ashland, Kentucky (Amtrak station)
    South Portsmouth-South Shore (Amtrak station)
    Fulton (Amtrak station) Rails
    See also: List of airports in Kentucky
    Kentucky's primary airports include Louisville International Airport (Standiford Field), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and Blue Grass Airport. Louisville International Airport is home to UPS's Worldport, its international hub.
    
    Air
    Being bounded by the two largest rivers in North America, water transportation has historically played a major role in Kentucky's economy. Most barge traffic on Kentucky waterways consists of coal that is shipped from both the Eastern and Western Coalfields, about half of which is used locally to power many power plants located directly off the Ohio River, with the rest being exported to other countries, most notably Japan.
    Many of the largest ports in the United States are located in or adjacent to Kentucky, including
    As a state, Kentucky ranks 10th overall in port tonage.
    The only natural obstacle along the entire length of the Ohio River was the Falls of the Ohio, located just west of Downtown Louisville.
    
    
    Huntington-Ashland, largest inland port and 7th largest overall
    Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky, 5th largest inland port and 43th overall
    Louisville-Southern Indiana, 7th largest inland port and 55th overall Water
    See also: List of cities in Kentucky and Category:Kentucky counties
    The largest city in Kentucky is Louisville Metro, with a 2006 census estimated population of 554,496. The Louisville Combined Statistical Area (CSA) has a population of 1,356,798 (with 1,003,025 within Kentucky). The second largest city is Lexington with a 2006 census estimated population of 270,789 and its CSA having a population of 645,006. The Northern Kentucky area (the seven Kentucky counties in the Cincinnati CSA) had an estimated population of 408,783 in 2006. The metropolitan areas of Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky have a combined population of 2,169,394 as of 2006, which is 51.5% of the state's total population.
    The two other fast growing urban areas in Kentucky are the Bowling Green area and the "Tri Cities Region" of southeastern Kentucky, comprised of Somerset, London, and Corbin.
    Although only one town in the "Tri Cities", namely Somerset, currently has more than 10,000 people, the area has been experiencing heightened population and job growth since the 1990s. Growth has been especially rapid in Laurel County, which outgrew areas such as Scott and Jessamine counties around Lexington or Shelby and Nelson Counties around Louisville. London is currently on pace to double its population in the 2000s from 5,692 in 2000 to 10,879 in 2010. London also landed a Wal-Mart distribution center in 1997, bringing thousands of jobs to the community.
    In northeast Kentucky, the greater Ashland area is an important transportation and manufacturing center. Iron and petroleum production, as well as the transport of coal by rail and barge, have been historical pillars of the region's economy. Due to a decline in the area's industrial base, Ashland has seen a sizable reduction in its population since 1990. The population of the area has since stabilized, however, with the medical service industry taking a greater role in the local economy. The Ashland area, including the Kentucky counties of Boyd and Greenup, is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 288,649. About 20,000 of those people reside within the city limits of Ashland.
    Population growth is centered along and between interstates I-65 and I-75.
    Louisville is the state's largest city with a metro population of 1.2 million.
    Lexington is the state's second largest city with a metro population of around 500,000.
    Although Covington, Kentucky only has a population of 42,000, the Kentucky side of the Cincinnati metro area has a population of 400,000.
    
    Cities and towns
    
    
    Main article: Education in Kentucky Education
    See also: Theater in Kentucky
    Although Kentucky's culture is generally considered to be Southern, it is unique and also influenced by the Midwest and Appalachia. The state is known for bourbon and whiskey distiling, horse racing, and gambling. Kentucky is more similar to the Upper South in terms of ancestry which is predominantly American. The Clarkson Honeyfest is held the last Thursday, Friday and Saturday in September, and is the "Official State Honey Festival of Kentucky."
    
    Culture
    
    

    Main article: Music of Kentucky Music
    
    

    Main article: Cuisine of Kentucky Cuisine
    
    

    Main article: Sports in Kentucky Sports
    
    

    Main article: List of Kentucky state insignia State symbols
    Unless otherwise specified, all state symbol information is taken from Kentucky State Symbols.
    
    State arboretum: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
    State botanical garden: The Arboretum: State Botanical Garden of Kentucky
    State Science Center: Louisville Science Center
    State center for celebration of African American heritage: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage
    State honey festival: Clarkson Honeyfest
    State amphitheater: Iroquois Amphitheater (Louisville)
    State tug-o-war championship: The Fordsville Tug-of-War Championship
    Covered Bridge Capital of Kentucky: Fleming County
    Official Covered Bridge of Kentucky: Switzer Covered Bridge (Franklin County)
    Official steam locomotive of Kentucky: "Old 152" (located in the Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven)
    Official pipe band: Louisville Pipe Band
    State bourbon festival: Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Incorporated, of Bardstown, Kentucky Official state places and events
    The world famous Louisville Slugger baseball bat is made in Kentucky.
    Kentucky's 2001 commemorative quarter.
    Thunder Over Louisville is the largest annual fireworks show in the world.
    Kentucky's horse farms are world renowned.
    The Daniel Boone National Forest.
    The Ohio River forms the northern border of Kentucky.
    US Highway 23 cuts through the rugged Cumberland Plateau near Pikeville.
    Memorial to the victims of the great Louisville Tornado of 1890, which was the 20th deadliest in US History.
    Eastern Juniper trees often line country roads and fences in rural Kentucky.
    The two largest rivers in North America, the Mississippi and Ohio, converge along the Kentucky border near Wickliffe.
    Interstate 264 in Louisville.
    
    Gallery
    
    Appalachia
    BluegrassReport.org — Democratic Party-oriented political blog dedicated to Kentucky politics
    Kentucky census statistical areas
    List of naval ships named for Kentucky
    List of people from Kentucky
    Scouting in Kentucky See also
    
    Bibliography
    
    Miller, Penny M. Kentucky Politics & Government: Do We Stand United? (1994)
    Jewell, Malcolm E. and Everett W. Cunningham, Kentucky Politics (1968) Politics
    
    Surveys and reference
    
    Bakeless, John. Daniel Boone, Master of the Wilderness (1989)
    Blakey, George T. Hard Times and New Deal in Kentucky, 1929-1939 (1986)
    Coulter, E. Merton. The Civil War and Readjustment in Kentucky (1926)
    Davis, Alice. "Heroes: Kentucky's Artists from Statehood to the New Millennium" (2004)
    Ellis, William E. The Kentucky River (2000).
    Faragher, John Mack. Daniel Boone (1993)
    Fenton, John H. Politics in the Border States: A Study of the Patterns of Political Organization, and Political Change, Common to the Border States: Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri (1957)
    Ireland, Robert M. The County in Kentucky History (1976)
    Klotter, James C.; Lowell Harrison, James Ramage, Charles Roland, Richard Taylor, Bryan S. Bush, Tom Fugate, Dixie Hibbs, Lisa Matthews, Robert C. Moody, Marshall Myers, Stuart Sanders and Stephen McBride (2005). in Jerlene Rose: Kentucky's Civil War 1861-1865. Back Home In Kentucky Inc. ISBN 0-9769231-1-4. 
    Klotter, James C. Kentucky: Portrait in Paradox, 1900-1950 (1992)
    Pearce, John Ed. Divide and Dissent: Kentucky Politics, 1930-1963 (1987)
    Remini, Robert V. Henry Clay: Statesman for the Union (1991).
    Sonne, Niels Henry. Liberal Kentucky, 1780-1828 (1939)
    Tapp, Hambleton and James C Klotter. Kentucky Decades of Discord, 1865-1900 (1977)
    Townsend, William H. Lincoln and the Bluegrass: Slavery and Civil War in Kentucky (1955)
    Waldrep, Christopher Night Riders: Defending Community in the Black Patch, 1890-1915 (1993) tobacco wars

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