West Tennessee
West Tennessee, located
West Tennessee, located between the Tennessee and the Mississippi Rivers, is the home of Tennessee’s largest city, Memphis. Its delta terrain makes up the Gulf Coastal Plain region, characterized by its lowest elevation of the state and where the land is the flattest. As the birthplace of Blues, Rock-a-Billy and the “Memphis Sound,” West Tennessee delivers a soulful, southern charm found in everything from its powerful history, legendary music, award-winning barbecue, and natural beauty. Small towns and mid-sized cities are strung together around West Tennessee adding to the noise. Jackson is home to music pioneer Carl Perkins as well as legendary railroad conductor Casey Jones. Kentucky Lake, in Benton, is one of the largest manmade lakes in the world. All kinds of festivals take place in West Tennessee throughout the year. The Strawberry Festival in Humbodlt, Memphis in May and the World’s Biggest Fish Fry in Paris are a few favorites. Some of the states largest corporations, like FedEx and International Paper, are headquartered in West Tennessee and play a pivotal role in the state and global economy. Tennessee is a kaleidoscope of sounds, culture and diversity making it as appealing to an outsider as it is to someone who calls Tennessee home. And while each piece of Tennessee is geographically and culturally distinct, they all play off each other like a perfect harmony creating a sound and a story that is uniquely Tennessee.
between the Tennessee and the Mississippi Rivers, is the home of Tennessee’s largest city, Memphis. Photo by Bill Carrier opposite page: As the birthplace of Blues, Rock-a-Billy and the “Memphis Sound” West Tennessee delivers a soulful, southern charm found in everything from its powerful history, legendary music, awardwinning barbecue, and natural beauty. Photo courtesy of the State of Tennessee Photographic Services
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