Kentucky, U.S. state in Southeastern United States
Kentucky is a state in the southeastern United States, stretching from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River lowlands in the west. Between these areas lie rolling hills that shape the central interior, giving the region its varied character and open farmland.
The territory joined the Union in 1792 as the fifteenth state, becoming the first area west of the Appalachians to do so. Before that, it was part of Virginia, achieving separate status after years of settlement and conflict along the frontier.
Horse farms dot the countryside, and racing events remain a central part of local life, drawing people together throughout the year. The Derby in Louisville each spring brings out crowds dressed in colorful hats and suits, celebrating a tradition that feels deeply rooted in the community.
Public universities and colleges provide education options in both cities and rural areas across the region for its more than four million residents. Roads connect larger towns with smaller communities, winding through hills and river valleys that shape the way people move around.
Mammoth Cave National Park protects the longest known cave system on Earth, with more than 350 miles (560 kilometers) of mapped passages. Visitors can walk through parts of this underground world, which extends across multiple levels beneath the surface.
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