Kentucky Info
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Capital
City: Frankfort
Economy: Mining, manufacturing,
tourism and agriculture.
Population: 3,960,825
Time Zone: 5-6 hours
behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 and -6 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed
from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
Kentucky's Flag:
Placed on a navy blue field is the seal and words "Commonwealth of
Kentucky". The two people on the seal, a pioneer and a statesman, represent
all the people. They are acting out the meaning of Kentucky's motto: "United
We Stand; Divided We Fall". Sprays of goldenrod extend in a half circle
around the picture.
History of Kentucky: Kentucky
was the first region west of the Allegheny Mountains to be settled by American
pioneers. James Harrod established the first permanent settlement at Harrodsburg
in 1774; the following year Daniel Boone, who had explored the area in 1767,
blazed the Wilderness Trail and founded Boonesboro. Politically, the Kentucky
region was originally part of Virginia, but early statehood was gained in
1792. During the Civil War, as a slaveholding state with a considerable
abolitionist population, Kentucky was caught in the middle of the conflict,
supplying both Union and Confederate forces with thousands of troops. In
recent years, manufacturing has shown important gains, particularly in automotive
assembly and parts manufacturing. Kentucky also prides itself on producing
some of the nation's best tobacco, horses, and whiskey. Corn, soybeans,
wheat, fruit, hogs, cattle, and dairy products are among the agricultural
items produced. Among the manufactured items produced in the state are motor
vehicles, furniture, aluminum ware, brooms, apparel, lumber products, machinery,
textiles, and iron and steel products. Kentucky also produces significant
amounts of petroleum, natural gas, fluorspar, clay, and stone. However,
coal accounts for 90% of the total mineral income. Louisville, the largest
city, famed for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, is also the location
of a large state university, whiskey distilleries, and cigarette factories.
The Bluegrass country around Lexington is the home of some of the world's
finest race horses. Other attractions are Mammoth Cave, the George S. Patton,
Jr., Military Museum at Fort Knox, and Old Fort Harrod State Park.
Other Kentucky Links:
Kentucky Chamber of
Commerce
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
Kentucky Department of Travel
Kentucky League of Cities
Kentucky Tourism Council |
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