US States Map > Map of Kentucky > Kentucky State Profile

Kentucky State Profile

by Vishul Malik

Where is Kentucky ? Kentucky is a state located in the east-central United States of America. It is bordered on the north by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio; on the south…


Where is Kentucky ?

Kentucky is a state located in the east-central United States of America. It is bordered on the north by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio; on the south by Tennessee; by West Virginia and Virginia on the east and by Missouri on the west. It is one of four US states constituted as a commonwealth.

What is the capital city of Kentucky ?

Located on the Kentucky River, Frankfort is the capital city of Kentucky. It is the fifth-smallest state capital in the United States.

What is the largest city of Kentucky ?

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky, covering an area of 399 square miles. As per the 2010 Census, the estimated population of the city is 741,096.

How big is Kentucky ?

Kentucky is the thirty-seventh largest state in the United States with an area of 40,409 square miles. It has an estimated population of 4,339,367.

What are the administrative divisions of Kentucky ?

Kentucky is divided into 120 counties. The largest county in the state is Pike County at 787.6 square miles and the most populous is Jefferson County with 741,096 residents.

Who are the political leaders of Kentucky ?

Governor : Steve Beshear
Lieutenant Governor : Daniel Mongiardo

What is the official religion of Kentucky ?

Christianity is the official state religion of Kentucky. The major denominations include Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, United Methodist Church and Orthodox Christians. There are a number of Jews and Muslims in the state as well.

What are the languages spoken in Kentucky ?

The official language of Kentucky is English. Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Russian are also spoken.

When did Kentucky achieve statehood ?

Kentucky was originally a part of Virginia. There were many constitutional conventions held between 1784 and 1792 demanding the separation of the state. In 1790, the delegates of Kentucky accepted Virginia’s terms of separation. A state constitution was drafted at the final convention in April 1792. Finally on June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the fifteenth state to join the Union.

What is the economy of Kentucky like ?

Agriculture and livestock are important sectors in the economy of Kentucky. The state ranks fifth in goat farming and eighth in beef cattle production. The major agricultural products include tobacco, soybeans, barley, sorghum, and wheat. Tourism, printing and publishing are also important industries. The total gross state product of Kentucky in 2010 stood at $163.3 billion while the per capita income was $28,513.Mining also contributes to the revenues of Kentucky. The state is one of the major producers of coal; petroleum, limestone, and natural gas are also found.

What are the famous places in Kentucky ?

Kentucky has a number of state parks, museums, libraries, and archaeological sites that are very popular. The state has more than 107 museums. Kentucky Lake, Carr Creek State Park, Churchill Downs, and the Cumberland Falls, National Corvette Museum, Mammoth Cave National Park, and the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor are some of the most famous places in Kentucky.

What are the state symbols of Kentucky ?

State Bird : The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is the official state bird of Kentucky. It was designated the official state bird in 1926. It is also the state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

State tree : The tulip poplar (Lirodendroan tulipifera) was designated the official state tree of Kentucky in 1994. It is also called the yellow poplar.

State Flower : The goldenrod (Soldiago gigantea) is the official state flower of Kentucky. It was designated the state flower in 1926. The goldenrod is also the state flower of Nebraska.

State Flag : Designed by Jesse Cox, an art teacher in Frankfort, Kentucky, the state flag was adopted by the Kentucky General Assembly on March 26, 1918. The flag has a navy blue background with the Seal of Kentucky in the middle. The seal is surrounded by the words “Commonwealth of Kentucky” above. At the bottom of the seal are presented sprigs of goldenrod, the state flower. The seal also depicts two friends embracing that stand for all frontiersmen and statesmen. The state motto: “United We Stand, Divided We Fall” circles them.

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