Tennessee , state in the south-central United States. It is bordered by Kentucky and Virginia (N), North Carolina (E), Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi (S), and, across the Mississippi R., Arkansas and Missouri (W). Although Tennessee is now primarily industrial, with most of its people residing in urban areas, many Tennesseans still derive their livelihood from the land. The state's leading crops are cotton, soybeans, and tobacco; cattle, dairy products, and hogs are also principal farm commodities. Tennessee's leading mineral, in dollar value, is stone; zinc ranks second (Tennessee leads the nation in its production). Industry is being continually diversified; the state's leading manufactures are chemicals and related products, foods, electrical machinery, primary metals, automobiles, textiles and apparel, and stone, clay, and glass items. Aluminum production has been important since World War I. Although slaves were numerous in W Tennessee, and to a lesser extent in Middle Tennessee, and free blacks were subjected to a series of discriminatory regulations, the state was pro-Union; it voted in the presidential election of 1860 for its own John Bell, candidate of the moderate Constitutional Union party. Secession was rejected in a popular referendum on Feb. 9, 1861. However, after the firing on Fort Sumter and Lincoln's call for troops, the pro-Confederate element, led by Gov. Isham G. Harris, canvassed the state, and on June 8, 1861, a second referendum approved secession by a two-thirds majority. The one third opposed represented mainly E Tennessee, where slavery was a negligible factor and where Andrew Johnson (then U.S. Senator) and William G. Brownlow had strengthened the natural Union loyalties of the people.

Textiles, cotton, electrical power plus 90,000 cattle farms provide much of the economy of the state. Tennessee is also a leader in tourism and entertainment. Strong employment and a lower cost of living bring many new residents to Tennessee to buy homes or rent apartments.

Tennessee has beautiful mountains and rich fertile valleys. The state has six regions which are the Blue Ridge, the Appalachian Ridge and Valley, the Cumberland Plateau, the Highland Rim, the Nashville Basin, and the Gulf Coastal Plain. Nashville, the capital, is known for its musical roots and is considered the Country Music Capital of the World. Tranquil rural landscapes, beautiful mountains, and modern cities provide a wonderful place to live, so look into the many apartment rentals in Tennessee.

Visitors are attracted to The Great Smoky Mountains, and the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway. There are many professional sports teams including the well known Tennessee Titans. Other popular destinations are ski resorts and amusement parks including Dollywood which is a favorite family fun attraction. Elvis fans are drawn to Graceland and music fans enjoy the Grand Ole Opry. Apartment rentals will allow you to enjoy the many attractions of Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee is one of the great public research universities in the United States. There are many colleges and universities in Tennessee including Vanderbilt University, Lee University, and Tennessee State University. Students attending a college or university in Tennessee can rent apartments in friendly and safe communities.