Higher Education  

Kentucky has approximately twenty-five colleges and universities, and eighteen community colleges. The state's largest universities are the University of Kentucky, in Lexington; the University of Louisville, in Louisville; Eastern Kentucky University, in Richmond; and Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green. Some of Kentucky's most prominent private institutions are Transylvania University, in Lexington; Berea College, in Berea; and Centre College, in Danville.

Geography

Kentucky covers an area of 104,623 square kilometers. Geographically, the state can be divided into the six regions: the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field, the Bluegrass region, the Knobs, the Pennyroyal Plateau, the Western Kentucky Coal Field, and the Jackson Purchase. The Eastern Kentucky Coal Field is a rugged, mountainous area with many forests and streams. Occupying the north-central part of the state, the Bluegrass region is characterized by rolling terrain. South of the Bluegrass is the Knobs, a chain of low hills. Another region of gently rolling terrain is the Pennyroyal Plateau, which covers most of the southwestern part of the state. The Western Kentucky Coal Field is a hilly area in the western part of the state. The Jackson Purchase is a low, flat plain in the extreme western part of the state. Kentucky's western, northern, and northeastern borders are formed by the Mississippi, Ohio, Big Sandy, and Tug Fork Rivers. Some of the principal rivers within the state are the Cumberland, Green, and Kentucky Rivers. Major cities include Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro, Covington, and Bowling Green. The state capital is located at Frankfort. Kentucky's population is approximately 3.7 million.

Climate

Kentucky has a temperate climate. Temperatures are moderate year-round. In January, the state's average temperature is 3° C; in July, the average temperature is 25.3° C. In Louisville, the annual average amount of precipitation is 109 cm. Except for its mountainous areas, Kentucky typically receives only a small amount of snowfall in winter.

Cultural Profile

Louisville is home to the Louisville Orchestra, the Kentucky Opera, the Louisville Ballet, the Broadway Series, and Stage One: Children's Theater. Lexington and Owensboro support local symphony orchestras. Each summer, the Festival of the Bluegrass is held in Lexington. Outdoor dramatic performances are presented each summer in Bardstown and Harrodsburg.

Among the state's many museums are the Jean Thomas Museum, in Ashland; the Appalachian Museum, in Berea; the Mountain Life Museum, in London; the Shaker Museum, in South Union; the Museum of History and Science and the J. B. Speed Art Museum, in Louisville; the Kentucky State Historical Museum, in Frankfort; and the John James Audubon Memorial Museum, in Henderson.

Recreation

All types of water sports are popular in Kentucky, as are hiking and climbing in the mountains. Tours are given daily at Mammoth Cave National Park, located near Bowling Green, the largest cave system in the world. Some of Kentucky's other popular recreational areas are Natural Bridge State Park, in Slade; Cumberland Gap National Historical Park; Old Fort Harrod State Park; Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill; Ballard County Wildlife Management Area; and the Kentucky Horse Park, near Lexington.

Interesting Facts

The US Gold Depository is located at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Kentucky, a state famous for raising thoroughbred horses, is the site of the annual Kentucky Derby. Famous Kentuckians include Muhammad Ali (world champion heavyweight boxer), John James Audubon (naturalist and illustrator), Jefferson Davis (president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War), Abraham Lincoln (sixteenth president of the United States), Loretta Lynn (country music singer), and Robert Penn Warren (novelist and poet).