Tennessee is a state located in the Southeastern United States. It is the nation's 17th-largest state by population and the 36th-largest by total land area. Tennessee is bordered by Kentucky and Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, and Arkansas and Missouri to the west. The Appalachian Mountains dominate the eastern part of the state, and the Mississippi River forms the state's western border. Memphis is the state's most populous city, but the capital and second most populous city is Nashville. Usually the state experiences hot summers and mild to cool winters with generous precipitation throughout the year.

Tennessee is the birthplace of country music, and most consider Beale Street in Memphis to be the birthplace of the blues. The Grand Ole Opry began in the 1930s and helped make Nashville the center of the country music recording industry. Other attractions include Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis and the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the eastern part of the state, has been the nation's most visited national park.