| Kentucky can be divided into six major physiographic regions: | ||
 |
The Eastern Mountains and Coal Fields | |
|
The Knobs | |
|
The Bluegrass | |
|
The Pennyroyal | |
|
The Western Coal Fields | |
|
The Jackson Purchase | |
| Each landform region is named for its most prevalent natural, geological features. | ||
EASTERN MOUNTAINS AND COAL FIELDS:
The
Eastern Mountains and Coal Fields is a large,
triangle-shaped region on the eastern edge of Kentucky 
covering portions of thirty-five Kentucky
counties. It consists of mountain ridges, plateaus, valleys,
rivers, and streams. The mountains in this region are part of
the Appalachian Mountains system. Hence, this region is often
called the Applachian Plateau. The Cumberland and Pine
Mountains lie in this region. Also Kentucky’s highest
point, Black
Mountain, can be found in this region. Some natural
geological features of this region can be seen at Cumberland
Falls State Park, Red
River Gorge and Natural
Bridge State Park.
As this region’s name depicts, coal mining is the major industry of this region. In fact in toonage, it is Kentucky's leading coal-producing state, with more than half of its coal production coming from the eastern coal fields.
The
Knobs is the smallest of the Kentucky landform regions,
covering 2,300 
square miles and it surrounds the
Bluegrass Region in a horseshoe like manner. The Knobs have
rocky hills that are not high enough to be called mountains.
In the valleys, the land is rich and good for farming. None
of the Kentucky’s 120 counties lies totally in this
region. Berheim Forest (south of Louisville), Berea, Kentucky, and Louisville,
Kentucky are three of the places one can visit in this
region.
The
Bluegrass region is located in the north-central part of
Kentucky. It covers 
one fifth of the state, or about 8,000 square
miles, and is the residence for more than half of Kentucky's
population. It is bordered on the north and west by the Ohio
River. Within this region is found gently rolling pastures on
which horses, cattle, and sheep graze. Farmers grow large
crops of corn and tobacco in this region.
As its name depicts, this region is named for Kentucky Bluegrass, more scientifically known as poa pratensis. This type of grass is abundant in this region..
One of Kentucky’s largest cities, Lexington is found in the Bluegrass region. Our state capital Frankfort, is also in this region.
The largest region in Kentucky,
containing 12,000 square miles, is the Pennyroyal
(or Pennyrile). Because of its large size, it touches all
the other regions except the Bluegrass and contains
Kentucky's longest river; the Green River.
The Pennyroyal region is named for a small plant of the mint family; pennyrile, more scientifically know as hedeoma puligiodes.
This region is generally considered to be the best region for varied farming. Mainstay crops grown in this area include corn, hay wheat, soybeans, tobacco, vegetables, and fruits. Beef and dairy cattle also are important to the local economy.
In the center of this region lies a treeless area often referred to as The Barrens. Many underground passages run beneath the limestone rock of the Pennyroyal Region. The most famous passage is Mammoth Cave. Another passage can be found at Carter Cave State Park in Carter County.
The Western Coal Field region lies in the northwestern part of the state, is surrounded by the Pennyroyal Region, and covers 21 different counties. This 4,500 square mile area produces 43 percent of the state's coal and contains some of its most fertile land. For this reason, this region is mainly an agricultural farming area.
The Jackson
Purchase is the most western region of
Kentucky. It is bordered by Kentucky Lake on the
east, the Ohio
River on the north, and the Mississippi River on the
west. Because of these rivers, the land in this region is
swampy in many places. In fact it is the only region in
Kentucky with natural swamps, the most famous being Murphy's
Pond. It is also the only area where a great deal of
cotton is grown.
This area was named after Andrew Jackson, who became the seventh president of the United States. Working with Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky, Jackson bought the land from the Chickasaw Indians in 1818.