 Kentucky
Information
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 of Travel
Kentucky League of Cities
Kentucky Tourism Council |
