Regions of Kentucky

Regions of Kentucky

It covers portions of thirty-five Kentucky counties. It consists of mountain ridges, plateaus, valleys, rivers, and streams. The mountains in this region are part of the Appalachian Mountains system. Hence, this region is often called the Applachian Plateau. The Cumberland and Pine Mountains lie in this region. Also Kentucky’s highest point, Black Mountain, can be found in this region. Some natural geological features of this region can be seen at Cumberland Falls State Park, Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Park.

As this region’s name depicts, coal mining is the major industry of this region. In fact in toonage, it is Kentucky's leading coal-producing state, with more than half of its coal production coming from the eastern coal fields.

It is the smallest of the Kentucky landform regions, covering 2,300 square miles and it surrounds the Bluegrass Region in a horseshoe like manner. The Knobs have rocky hills that are not high enough to be called mountains. In the valleys, the land is rich and good for farming. None of the Kentucky’s 120 counties lies totally in this region. Berheim Forest (south of Louisville), Berea, Kentucky, and Louisville, Kentucky are three of the places one can visit in this region.

It is located in the north-central part of Kentucky. It covers one fifth of the state, or about 8,000 square miles, and is the residence for more than half of Kentucky's population. It is bordered on the north and west by the Ohio River. Within this region is found gently rolling pastures on which horses, cattle, and sheep graze. Farmers grow large crops of corn and tobacco in this region.

As its name depicts, this region is named for Kentucky Bluegrass, more scientifically known as poa pratensis. This type of grass is abundant in this region..

One of Kentucky’s largest cities, Lexington is found in the Bluegrass region. Our state capital Frankfort, is also in this region.

The largest region in Kentucky, containing 12,000 square miles, is the Pennyroyal (or Pennyrile). Because of its large size, it touches all the other regions except the Bluegrass and contains Kentucky's longest river; the Green River.

The Pennyroyal region is named for a small plant of the mint family; pennyrile, more scientifically know as hedeoma puligiodes.

This region is generally considered to be the best region for varied farming. Mainstay crops grown in this area include corn, hay wheat, soybeans, tobacco, vegetables, and fruits. Beef and dairy cattle also are important to the local economy.

In the center of this region lies a treeless area often referred to as The Barrens. Many underground passages run beneath the limestone rock of the Pennyroyal Region. The most famous passage is Mammoth Cave. Another passage can be found at Carter Cave State Park in Carter County.

The Jackson Purchase is the most western region of Kentucky. It is bordered by Kentucky Lake on the east, the Ohio River on the north, and the Mississippi River on the west. Because of these rivers, the land in this region is swampy in many places. In fact it is the only region in Kentucky with natural swamps, the most famous being Murphy's Pond. It is also the only area where a great deal of cotton is grown.

This area was named after Andrew Jackson, who became the seventh president of the United States. Working with Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky, Jackson bought the land from the Chickasaw Indians in 1818.

The Western Coal Field region lies in the northwestern part of the state, is surrounded by the Pennyroyal Region, and covers 21 different counties. This 4,500 square mile area produces 43 percent of the state's coal and contains some of its most fertile land. For this reason, this region is mainly an agricultural farming area.

Similarities and Differences of Regions

Economy

• All regions, but the

Bluegrass produce

limestone .

• Pennyroyal and

Bluegrass are agricul-

tural economies.

• Lumbering is in

the knobs.

• Jackson Purchase

grows cotton and

ships out bananas.

• Pennyroyal has

one of the only

corvette museums

in the world and

Fort Knox is located

in this region.

• Bluegrass is a large

producer of tobacco.

Natural Resources

• Tobacco is in the

Eastern Coal Fields

and Bluegrass regions.

• Coal is in the

Western Coal Fields,

Bluegrass, Pennyroyal,

and the Knobs.

• Limestone is in the

Jackson Purchase,

Pennyroyal, Western,

and Eastern Coal Fields.

• Honey and clay is in

the Eastern Coal Fields

and Jackson Purchase.

• Oil is in the Knobs,

Pennyroyal, and Eastern

Coal Fields.

• Soil is found in the

Bluegrass region

Farmland

• Western Coal Field, Bluegrass, and Pennyroyal have good farmlands.
• Eastern Coal Fields is too rugged and is located in the Appalachian area.
• Jackson Purchase has many swamps.
• The Knobs has a lot of forests.

Geography

• the knob region the smallest region .
• The Pennyroyal is the largest region, with Eastern Coal Fields coming in second and Bluegrass coming in third.
• The Pennyroyal has the largest caves in Kentucky.
• The Eastern Coal Fields has the highest elevation in Kentucky.
• The Kentucky River runs through The Bluegrass and Eastern Coal Field Regions.
• The Jackson Purchase is surrounded by the Mississippi River, Ohio River, Tennessee River, and the Cumberland River.

Western Coal Fields

Eastern Mountains and Coal Fields

Jackson Purchase

The Knobs

Pennyroyal

Bluegrass