When someone says “Tennessee,” what comes to mind? The Great Smoky Mountains, country music, the Tennessee Waltz, or is it Davy Crockett? Any of these would be right, because the “Volunteer State” is as diverse in its makeup as are the three geographical areas that divide it.

An interesting fact that many people might not know is what the three stars on the state flag represent. Over the years, people have sometimes thought that Tennessee was actually three states, because of its decidedly different as well as diverse regions. Eastern Tennessee is rugged and mountainous, and until the 20th century was isolated from the rest of the state. Knoxville and Chattanooga are in this area of the state.

Nashville, the state capital is located in middle Tennessee. This area is made up of undulating hills and plateaus, and is where much of the states farm products come from. Western Tennessee is part of the Mississippi River flood plain and is home to Memphis, known as the “Capital of the Mississippi Delta Region.” The separation of these three distinct regions was the cause of divided loyalties the state faced during the Civil War.

Tennessee gained statehood as our 16th state in 1796. Tennessee was to prove itself worthy of its nickname, the “Volunteer State,” sending many thousands of volunteers to fight in the War of 1812, as well as confederate and union troops to serve during our Civil War. This willingness to serve continued through WWI and WWII, and continues today.

The state is home to the most visited national park in the nation, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is part of the Cherokee National Forest, itself covering 650,000 acres and being the largest area of public lands in the state. A visit to Tennessee would not be complete without walking on the “Trail of Tears.” This National Historic site commemorates the Cherokee Nation’s forced march to reservation lands in Oklahoma in 1838.