If someone asked you to name the regions of Kentucky, how many of you would say “Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Northern Kentucky, South Central Kentucky, and Lakes”? I asked this question. Because since I was in elementary school, I have never heard anyone mention an official territory of the Federation.
Strangely enough, the only time I learned about Kentucky in school was in fourth grade, and I was hooked. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to know about my home state. I can’t remember how long I was on this research, but I remember filmstrips and homework about interesting facts like the smallest and largest counties by population and area. (Incidentally, Jefferson and Pike are the largest in population and area, respectively, but the least populated area has changed. It was Menifee then, and now it is Robertson.)
And of course there were six regions.
jackson purchase
Throwing a new “purchase” in there when we also learned about the Louisiana Purchase and the Gadsden Purchase might be confusing to this young mind, but I loved it and still do. I think so. Big geography geek here.
The Jackson Purchase, which consists of Hickman, Fulton, Callaway, Graves, McCracken, Marshall, Ballard, and Carlisle Counties, was inhabited by the Chickasaw Nation and entered into a treaty with them in 1818. . It was approved by the U.S. Senate in 1819. The area was named for then-General Andrew Jackson, who negotiated the agreement with Governor Isaac Shelby. These eight counties covered 2,369 of the 8,000 square miles of land that became part of the United States, and the land was paid to the Chickasaws in annual installments of $20,000 over the next 15 years.
United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
penny royale
When I learned about it, I remember being confused about the name “Pennyroyal,” since I was more familiar with “Pennyrill,” the former name of the Parkway, now Interstate 69. I am. Pennyroyal, Kentucky’s largest region, is named after the wild mint. A plant with the same name grows here. The Pennyroyal region is also known as the Mississippi Plateau.
western coalfield
This is my home region and this name is not surprising. Just 30 minutes south and you’re in the middle of coal country.
blue grass
The fertile soils of this northern Kentucky region are perfect for growing lush bluegrass. It is also under the beautiful thoroughbred hooves that are a trademark of this region as well as other parts of the Commonwealth.
knob
Surrounding the bluegrass is Knob, Kentucky’s thinnest region. Drive east on the Bluegrass Parkway from Elizabethtown and you’ll see why this area gets its name. You’ll also be passing through them as you head north from E-Town to Louisville.
eastern coalfield
Also known as the Cumberland Plateau, we’re talking about Appalachia here, so this name is self-explanatory. In Kentucky, it’s synonymous with the coal industry.
As far as what I learned in school, I’ve only used algebra once. But what about a 4th grade tutorial about the state of Kentucky? I always refer to it.
See: Where Kentuckians are moving the most
Mr. Stacker used data from the U.S. Census Bureau to create a list of states from which people from Kentucky are moving the most.
Gallery credit: Stacker
See: Best Counties to Raise a Family in Kentucky
Mr. Stacker has compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Kentucky.
Gallery credit: Stacker
