Knoxville

Knoxville is a city in East Tennessee, United States. It is the county seat of Knox County and the largest city in the region, situated on the Tennessee River at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. It anchors the Knoxville metropolitan area, with a city population around 190,000 and a metro population approaching 900,000.

Knoxville was founded in the late 18th century and named for General Henry Knox, a U.S. statesman. During Tennessee’s early statehood, the city served as a capital for a period before the capital moved to other locations. It developed as a railroad and commercial hub and later became a center for industry and education. The Tennessee Valley Authority established its headquarters in Knoxville in the 1930s.

Educational institutions shape the city, most prominently the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, founded in 1794 as Blount College and later taking its present name. The university is a major employer and research center. The city contains cultural districts around Market Square and the Old City, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and riverfront amenities such as Volunteer Landing.

Sights and events include Neyland Stadium, home of the UT Volunteers football team, and World’s Fair Park, which hosted the 1982 World’s Fair. Downtown Knoxville centers on a mix of historic buildings and modern developments, and the city serves as a regional hub for healthcare, education, government, and commerce. Transportation access includes Interstates 40 and 75, McGhee Tyson Airport, and a regional rail corridor.