The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a southern state located in East Central United States. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth. It was originally a part of Virginia and is known as the "Bluegrass State". Native bluegrass is present in many of the pastures throughout the state. It is the 37th largest state in terms of total area, the 36th largest in land area, and ranks 26th in population.
Kentucky has a diverse environment and abundant resources, including the world's longest cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park; the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the lower 48 states; and two of the largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River. It is also home to the nation's most productive coalfield and is known for horse racing, thoroughbred horses, bourbon distilleries, bluegrass music, automobile manufacturing, and college basketball.