State Symbols of Tennessee

By | Updated on January 22, 2023

Reviewed by Rittika

Tennessee is a constituent state in the United States of America. Tennessee is officially known as the State of Tennessee. It is a landlocked state located in the Southeastern part of the country. Tanasse is the name of a Cherokee village (also spelled Tennese). The State of Tennessee has several nicknames, but The Volunteer State is the most well-known due to the state’s many heroic men who volunteered to fight in the War. The state earned this nickname during the War of 1812 and the Mexican War.

The first European to visit the region, which is now known as Tennessee, was the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1540. It was mentioned in the British charter of Carolina as well as the French Louisiana claim. It was ceded to Great Britain after the French and Indian War. Until 1785, it was a part of North Carolina. Tennessee was admitted as the 16th state of the United States on June 1, 1796, after the American Revolution.

It is bordered by Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, Missouri to the northwest, North Carolina to the east, Arkansas to the southwest, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, and Missouri to the northwest. 

With a total area of 42,144 sq mi (109,153 sq km), Tennessee is the thirty-sixth largest state by area. The recorded population of the state, according to the United States Census 2020, is 6,910,840 making it the fifteenth most populous state.

There are 10,000 caves and caverns in the state, many of which are thousands of years old. Tennessee’s rich soil is one of its best assets. About half of the state is used for agriculture.

Nashville serves as the state’s capital and Memphis is the largest city. Elvis Presley started his legendary musical career in Memphis. Graceland, Elvis Presley’s Memphis residence, has been designated a National Historic Landmark. It is also one of the most visited residences in the United States.

Tennessee artist Michael Sloan’s “Tennessee Treasures” and “Tennessee Treasures Too” were designated as state paintings in 1997 and 2007, respectively.

The fun fact is that the state is also the birthplace of Mountain Dew. In the 1940s, the original recipe for this Appalachian classic was created, soon gaining popularity among locals. It eventually resulted in Pepsi-Cola purchasing it in 1964.

In 1973, Tennessee made Admiral William Porter Lawrence’s “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee” its official state poem.

The state motto of Tennessee is “Agriculture and Commerce,” which was adopted formally in 1987. The motto also appears on Tennessee’s state seal. In 1981, Tennessee officially named porcelain painting its state fine art.

The official language of Tennessee is English. It was designated as the state language in 1984.

State Information

State seal

Motto of Tennessee

"Agriculture and Commerce"

State symbols of Tennessee 👇

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  State capital
  Nashville
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  State bird
  Mockingbird Bobwhite quail
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  State flower
  Iris Passion flower
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  State fruit
  Tomato
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  State tree
  Tulip poplar Eastern red cedar
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  State dance
  Square Dance
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  State reptile
  Eastern box turtle
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  State insect
  Firefly, Lady beetle, Honey bee
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  State gemstone
  Tennessee River Pearl
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  State animal
  Raccoon
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  State fish
  Channel catfish

State location

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