one of the western states of N. America, is bounded N. by the Ohio, separating it from Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, W. by the Mississippi, separating it from Missouri, S. by Tennessee, and E. by the Cumberland Mountains and Big Sandy River, which divide it from Virginia. Its greatest length E. and W. is 388 miles; average breadth 150. Area 37,680 square miles, of which about the half was cultivated in 1850.

The face of the country for the most part is level or undulating. The most elevated land is in the S.E., where the spurs of the Cumberland Mountains traverse several of the counties. Their elevation nowhere exceeds 2000 feet. A range of hills, intersected by deep narrow vales, runs nearly parallel with the Ohio at a distance of from 5 to 20 miles. Between the hilly region of the E. and N.E. and Green River, extends an undulating and fertile tract of about 150 miles long, embracing more than half the area of the state. This district between Green and Cumberland Rivers, known as the "Barrens," is chiefly occupied as pasture-land; that to the W. of Cumberland River is mostly flat and moderately fertile. The country generally is well wooded, and the hills are crowned with lofty trees. All the principal streams are tributary to the Ohio, which washes the northern boundary of Kentucky in its entire extent, giving a steamboat navigation of above 600 miles, and opening to the state the inland commerce of the Ohio Valley. In like manner the Mississippi on the W. gives access to the commerce of the vast territory beyond. The Big Sandy forms the eastern boundary of the state for about 100 miles. It enters from Virginia, flowing northward into the Ohio, and is navigable for about 50 miles. The Licking, Kentucky, and Green River have their entire course within the state. They all rise in the Cumberland Mountains, and flow W. and N.W.; the two latter are navigable respectively to distances of 60 and 150 miles. The Cumberland River also rises in the mountains of that name, flows W. and S.W. for about 300 miles, makes a bend of above 200 miles into Tennessee, and re-enters Kentucky about 80 miles from its junction with the Ohio. It is navigable for steamers to Nashville in Tennessee. The Tennessee River has about 70 miles of its course in Kentucky, and enters the Ohio about 10 miles below the Cumberland.

The prevailing geological formation throughout Kentucky is the blue limestone, which is much used for building. A good marble is found among the cliffs of the Kentucky River. Sandstone is also common, and extends from Louisville to Danville. Bituminous shale and pudding-stone are also abundant. The lime-stone region abounds in caverns, sinks (deep conical hollows), and subterranean water-courses. Into these latter the smaller Kentucky streams disappear during the dry season. Of the caverns, the most celebrated is the Mammoth Cave, which is regarded as one of the chief wonders of the American continent. It lies near Green River, in Edmonson county, and consists of an endless series of lofty chambers connected by long narrow galleries, supposed to extend in all their ramifications to more than 40 miles. Near the entrance, which is reached after a descent of 30 feet, is a great antechamber, 200 feet long, 150 feet wide, and 50 feet in height; here have been found large quantities of gigantic bones. In one chamber mummies have been discovered; from the roof of another hang clustering countless legions of bats; the waters of the cave are inhabited by a species of fish absolutely destitute of eyes; and one chamber has been converted into a residence for consumptive patients, to whom its pure and mild air is found beneficial. Another place of much interest to the naturalist is Big Bone Lick, near the banks of the Ohio, so named from the fossil remains of mastodilian megatheria found there in large quantities. Of these many have found their way to Britain.

The coal-beds of Kentucky, which extend from the neighbouring states on the N. and E., occupy a vast area, but have hitherto been worked to a very inconsiderable extent. Iron is equally abundant, but of inferior quality, and it also has been comparatively neglected. Lead and silver are found in small quantities. Salt springs or "licks" (so called by the early settlers, from their being favourite resorts of wild animals, which regaled themselves by licking the mineral) abound in the sandstone formation; and nitrate of lime and gypsum are found in the caves. Mineral springs are numerous.

The climate is salubrious, the thermometer seldom rising above 80°, or descending below 25°, in the centre of the state. The mean annual temperature is about 58°. The best soil of Kentucky is that of the limestone formation. The most fertile portion of the state, and surpassed by few tracts in America, is that watered by the Licking, Kentucky, Dick's River, and the upper course of Green River; the soil is a loose black mould, the product of the dense forests which at one time covered the face of the country. Of these there are still considerable remains, and the variety of trees, some of which, as the poplar, attain enormous dimensions, is as great as in any of the states. Among the more common trees in the cultivated districts are the paw-paw, sugar-maple, honey-locust, and coffee-tree. The Panicum virgatum which grows in dense brakes to the height of 12 feet, affords rich pasture for cattle.

The principal agricultural products of Kentucky are flax, hemp, and tobacco. Of the entire crop of these raised in the states, Kentucky yields respectively five-eighths, four-sevenths, and above one-fourth. The number of farms in 1850 was 74,777; the extent of improved land in farms 5,968,270 acres; of unimproved 10,981,478 acres. The cash value of these farms was estimated at L31,204,250, ranking it fourth in this respect among the states. In production of wheat it stood eleventh; of oats, third; of Indian-corn, second; of wool, seventh. The crop of wheat was 2,142,822 bushels; of maize, 58,672,591 bushels; of oats, 8,201,311 bushels; potatoes, 1,492,487 bushels; of tobacco, 55,501,196 lbs.; of wool, 2,297,433 lbs.; of flax, 2,100,116 lbs.; of hemp, 17,787 tons. The number of horses was 315,682; milch cows, 247,475; working oxen, 69,274; other cattle, 442,763; sheep, 1,102,091; swine, 2,891,163; total value of live stock, L5,932,330. Produce of butter, 9,947,523 lbs.; cheese, 213,954 lbs.; beeswax and honey, 1,158,019 lbs. The principal fruits reared are apples and peaches, from which cider and brandy are extensively manufactured for home consumption. The industry of the state is mainly agricultural; the chief manufactures are leather, tobacco, woollens, cotton, ropes, &c. Kentucky. Its foreign commerce is limited, and passes chiefly through New Orleans. The amount of shipping (all steamers) in 1850 was 14,820 tons. The means of internal communication are extensive, the state being nearly insulated by navigable waters, with numerous tributaries, aided by canals and other works. Of these the most important is the Portland and Louisville Canal, constructed to obviate the difficulty to navigation caused by the Ohio Falls. This important work is about 3 miles long, and has been for the most part hewed out of the solid limestone; the cost was £240,000. Several railways are in operation, of which the chief are the lines connecting Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington, and Covington; and other lines are in progress.

There were in 1851 five banks, with twenty-one branches, in Kentucky, with an aggregate circulation of £1,522,650. Capital, £1,507,400; deposits, £464,750.

The population in 1850 was 982,405, of whom 761,417 were whites, 10,007 free coloured, and 210,981 slaves; 601,764 were natives of Kentucky. The state is divided into 100 counties. The capital is Frankfort, in the county of Franklin, but the largest town, and the commercial metropolis of the state, is Louisville, which in 1853 had 57,726 inhabitants. After it in population come Covington, Lexington, Newport, Maysville, Frankfort, and Paducah. The state legislature consists of a governor, elected by the people for four years, a senate of 38 members, elected for a like term, one-half every two years, and a house of representatives of 100 members, elected for two years. Kentucky sends 10 members to the national congress, and has 12 votes in the presidential election.

The state revenue in 1854 was £177,050; the expenditure, £154,650; the public debt, £122,470; the assessed value of property, £81,166,060. The rate of taxation, 17 cents for every 100 dollars' worth of property. The judiciary consists of an appeal court, composed of one chief justice, and three associate judges, with salaries of £417 each; a court of chancery, presided over by a single chancellor, salary £375; twelve circuit courts and county courts, consisting of a presiding judge and two associates. All these officials are popularly elected. There are also two justices of peace and a sheriff in each county. The state militia, in 1852, numbered 88,979 men. Education is provided for by a state school fund, amounting, in 1854, to £280,070, and an annual property-tax yielding about £15,600. The number of children between five and sixteen, in 1854, was 227,123, of whom 207,210 were on the school books; the average attendance was 76,429. There were, in 1852, 8 colleges with 656 students, besides 2 medical schools, with 590 students, two law schools with 125 students, and 1 theological school with 18 students. The principal colleges are the Louisville University, and the Transylvania University at Lexington. Of religious denominations the most numerous are the Baptists, next to them the Methodists; total number of places of worship in 1850, 1818; value of church property, £452,030. The number of newspapers and periodicals published in 1850 was 67—9 daily, 5 tri-weekly, 4 bi-weekly, 41 weekly, 1 fortnightly, and 7 monthly; their total annual circulation, 6,582,838 copies.

The first pioneers of civilization in Kentucky were Boone and Knox, whose exploits and perils are among the most cherished traditions of the Kentuckians. The first settlement was established between 1760-70. At first Kentucky was a county of Virginia; it was declared independent in 1790, and was admitted into the Union in 1792. The inhabitants still retain much of that frank and hospitable, if sometimes boisterous, style of life and manners inherited from the bold hunters who first wrested the land from the dominion of savages and beasts of prey. Certain relics of antiquity seem to indicate that at a very remote period this country was possessed by a race not unacquainted with the arts of civilization. The most remarkable of these are the traces of regular fortifications on the banks of the Ohio, opposite Scioto River.