Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Department of Environment & Conservation
( 888-867-2757;
www.state.tn.us/environ-
ment/parks
)
Check out the well-organized website for camping (prices range from free to
$27 or more), hiking and fishing info for Tennessee's more than 50 state parks.
Department of Tourist Development
( 800-462-8366, 615-741-2159;
www.tnvacation.com
;
312 8th Ave N, Nashville)
Has welcome centers at the state borders.
TENNESSEE FACTS
Nickname
Volunteer State
Population
6.35 million
Area
41,217 sq miles
Capital city
Nashville (population 641,000)
Other city
Memphis (population 634,000)
Sales tax
7%, plus local taxes of up to about 15%
Birthplace of
Frontiersman Davy Crockett (1786-1836), soul diva Aretha Franklin
(b 1942), singer Dolly Parton (b 1946)
Home of
Graceland, Grand Ole Opry, Jack Daniel's distillery
Politics
Pretty darn conservative, with liberal hot spots in urban areas
Famous for
'Tennessee Waltz,' country music, Tennessee walking horses, soul mu-
sic
Odd law
In Tennessee, it's illegal to fire a gun at any wild game, other than whales,
from a moving vehicle
Driving distances
Memphis to Nashville 213 miles, Nashville to Great Smoky
Mountains National Park 223 miles
