Kentucky is located in the East Central United States, bordered by seven other states including West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Kentucky is divided into five geographic regions – the Bluegrass Region in the north central part of the state; the Pennyroyal Region in south central Kentucky; the Western Coal Fields in west-central Kentucky; the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Kentucky; and the Mountain Region in eastern Kentucky.
The Bluegrass Region is known for its fertile soil and rolling hills. This region is home to many of Kentucky’s major cities including Lexington and Louisville. The Pennyroyal region is characterized by karst topography with limestone caves, sinkholes and underground streams. This area is also known for its large deposits of coal and iron ore which were mined extensively during the 19th century.
The Western Coal Fields are located in west-central Kentucky near Paducah and comprise a large portion of the state’s coal production. The Cumberland Plateau region covers much of southeastern Kentucky and includes parts of both Tennessee and Virginia. This region is home to many natural features such as Mammoth Cave National Park as well as several protected areas like Daniel Boone National Forest.
The Mountain Region comprises much of eastern Kentucky with some portions extending into West Virginia. This region is characterized by rugged terrain with steep mountains and deep valleys which have long been mined for coal, timber, oil, natural gas and other minerals. Much of this area was deforested during the 19th century but has since been reforested with a variety of trees such as maple, oak and hickory.
Overall, Kentucky has a diverse geography consisting of rolling hills in its central regions to rugged mountains in its eastern portions. Its rich soil has long supported agricultural production while its mineral resources have been mined extensively over time providing jobs for its residents. Additionally, several protected areas provide outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking trails throughout these unique landscapes making it an ideal place to explore nature’s wonders while enjoying all that this great state has to offer.
Kentucky was granted statehood in 1792, becoming the first U.S. state west of the Appalachians. Frontiersman Daniel Boone was one of Kentucky’s most prominent explorers and many immigrants followed the trail he blazed through the Cumberland Gap, known as the Wilderness Road.
Although it sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War, the population was deeply divided and many Kentucky residents fought for the North. Known primarily as an agricultural region until the 20th century, Kentucky is also a major U.S. coal producer and the site of the U.S. military bases Fort Knox and Fort Campbell.
It is also known as the home of the legendary Kentucky Derby horse race and bluegrass music pioneered by Kentucky native Bill Monroe.
Geography
Cities in Kentucky
Below are the top 15 cities by population in Kentucky. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Kentucky cities list.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson | 630,260 |
| 2 | Lexington-Fayette | 321,354 |
| 3 | Bowling Green | 71,422 |
| 4 | Owensboro | 59,839 |
| 5 | Covington | 40,930 |
| 6 | Georgetown | 36,281 |
| 7 | Richmond | 34,662 |
| 8 | Florence | 31,699 |
| 9 | Elizabethtown | 31,066 |
| 9 | Nicholasville | 31,066 |
| 11 | Hopkinsville | 30,771 |
| 12 | Jeffersontown | 28,800 |
| 13 | Frankfort | 28,479 |
| 14 | Independence | 28,256 |
| 15 | Henderson | 28,201 |
Counties in Kentucky
The State of Kentucky consists of 120 counties. They are:
- Adair County, Kentucky
- Allen County, Kentucky
- Anderson County, Kentucky
- Ballard County, Kentucky
- Barren County, Kentucky
- Bath County, Kentucky
- Bell County, Kentucky
- Boone County, Kentucky
- Bourbon County, Kentucky
- Boyd County, Kentucky
- Boyle County, Kentucky
- Bracken County, Kentucky
- Breathitt County, Kentucky
- Breckinridge County, Kentucky
- Bullitt County, Kentucky
- Butler County, Kentucky
- Caldwell County, Kentucky
- Calloway County, Kentucky
- Campbell County, Kentucky
- Carlisle County, Kentucky
- Carroll County, Kentucky
- Carter County, Kentucky
- Casey County, Kentucky
- Christian County, Kentucky
- Clark County, Kentucky
- Clay County, Kentucky
- Clinton County, Kentucky
- Crittenden County, Kentucky
- Cumberland County, Kentucky
- Daviess County, Kentucky
- Edmonson County, Kentucky
- Elliott County, Kentucky
- Estill County, Kentucky
- Fayette County, Kentucky[18]
- Fleming County, Kentucky
- Floyd County, Kentucky
- Franklin County, Kentucky
- Fulton County, Kentucky
- Gallatin County, Kentucky
- Garrard County, Kentucky
- Grant County, Kentucky
- Graves County, Kentucky
- Grayson County, Kentucky
- Green County, Kentucky
- Greenup County, Kentucky
- Hancock County, Kentucky
- Hardin County, Kentucky
- Harlan County, Kentucky
- Harrison County, Kentucky
- Hart County, Kentucky
- Henderson County, Kentucky
- Henry County, Kentucky
- Hickman County, Kentucky
- Hopkins County, Kentucky
- Jackson County, Kentucky
- Jefferson County, Kentucky
- Jessamine County, Kentucky
- Johnson County, Kentucky
- Kenton County, Kentucky
- Knott County, Kentucky
- Knox County, Kentucky
- LaRue County, Kentucky
- Laurel County, Kentucky
- Lawrence County, Kentucky
- Lee County, Kentucky
- Leslie County, Kentucky
- Letcher County, Kentucky
- Lewis County, Kentucky
- Lincoln County, Kentucky
- Livingston County, Kentucky
- Logan County, Kentucky
- Lyon County, Kentucky
- Madison County, Kentucky
- Magoffin County, Kentucky
- Marion County, Kentucky
- Marshall County, Kentucky
- Martin County, Kentucky
- Mason County, Kentucky
- McCracken County, Kentucky
- McCreary County, Kentucky
- McLean County, Kentucky
- Meade County, Kentucky
- Menifee County, Kentucky
- Mercer County, Kentucky
- Metcalfe County, Kentucky
- Monroe County, Kentucky
- Montgomery County, Kentucky
- Morgan County, Kentucky
- Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
- Nelson County, Kentucky
- Nicholas County, Kentucky
- Ohio County, Kentucky
- Oldham County, Kentucky
- Owen County, Kentucky
- Owsley County, Kentucky
- Pendleton County, Kentucky
- Perry County, Kentucky
- Pike County, Kentucky
- Powell County, Kentucky
- Pulaski County, Kentucky
- Robertson County, Kentucky
- Rockcastle County, Kentucky
- Rowan County, Kentucky
- Russell County, Kentucky
- Scott County, Kentucky
- Shelby County, Kentucky
- Simpson County, Kentucky
- Spencer County, Kentucky
- Taylor County, Kentucky
- Todd County, Kentucky
- Trigg County, Kentucky
- Trimble County, Kentucky
- Union County, Kentucky
- Warren County, Kentucky
- Washington County, Kentucky
- Wayne County, Kentucky
- Webster County, Kentucky
- Whitley County, Kentucky
- Wolfe County, Kentucky
- Woodford County, Kentucky
