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Geography of Kentucky

Kentucky possesses over 40,000 square miles; ranking 37th in area among the states--between Tennessee (36th) and Indiana (38th). While not a large state, it is a diverse one geographically. Kentucky consists of three distinct geographic areas:

1) The Appalachian (or Cumberland) Plateau of Eastern Kentucky.

2) The Gulf Coastal Plain of Western Kentucky

3) The Interior Low Plateau of Central KY: including the Lexington Plain (or Bluegrass) and the Highland Rim (or Pennyrile)

Although Kentucky now classifies as an urban environment, nearly half of Kentucky's land is forest area. The state's elevation ranges from a high of 4,145 feet in Harlan County (SE KY) to a low of 260 feet in Fulton County (SW KY). Despite some environmental concerns, the government decades ago constructed several dams in Kentucky forming many lakes. Now in addition to a steady water supply, these lakes constitute a major source of tourism. Kentucky maintains 47 parks and recreation areas throughout the commonwealth, while the National Park Service operates three sites: Mammoth Cave National Park, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site, and Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. The longest known cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave, remains the state's most popular tourist location. (Legislative Research Commission. Kentucky Government. Frankfort, KY: Informational Bulletin No. 137 (Revised), 1994, pages 1-14.)

I'll post pics up as soon as I get them from home.

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