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officially Commonwealth of Kentucky
State (pop., 2000: 4,041,769), southeastern central U.S. Bordered by Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, it covers 40,411 sq mi (104,664 sq km); its capital is Frankfort .
Among its geographical features are the Appalachian Mountains of the east, the interior lowlands, including the Bluegrass region , and the rich lowlands along the Mississippi River . Before the arrival of white settlers, the region was a hunting ground for Indian tribes, including the Shawnee , Iroquois , and Cherokee . American Revolution . Settlements began as part of a district of Virginia, but in 1792 Kentucky entered the Union as the 15th state. It was a border state during the American Civil War , remaining in the Union but providing troops to both sides. The opening of rail lines into the eastern coal country and the introduction of a tobacco economy spurred growth in the late 19th century. In the 1970s a nationwide energy shortage created a demand for coal, from which Kentucky prospered, but demand dropped in the 1980s and many jobs were lost. Manufacturing is the leading source of income, while tobacco is the chief crop. Kentucky is known for its bourbon whiskey and Thoroughbred horses; the Kentucky Derby is run annually at Churchill Downs.
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[c mediumvioletred] (as used in expressions)
Commonwealth of Kentucky
{{link=Kentucky Derby">Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Lake
Kentucky River
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions