We love this great state, from one side to the other, whether we’re hiking the craggy slopes of Eastern Tennessee or wandering the expansive farmland to the west. Tennessee is a long and skinny state, running strong and narrow across the southern United States. As you can expect, with that wide of geographical region, there are a few differences from one side of the state to the other. Did we get them all right? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

10. The landscape, for one.
Bill Showalter - Flickr
You'll find rolling farmland to the west, gorgeous mountains to the east.
10. Plus those cities.
Sean Davis - Flickr
To the east you'll find the biggest city to be Knoxville, whereas western Tennessee boasts the much bigger metropolis of Memphis.
8. The music scene tends to differ quite a bit.
Tim Smythe - Flickr
Think bluegrass to the east, blues to the west.
7. As do the music legends.
Counselman Connection - Flickr
Dolly Parton belongs solidly in the Great Smoky Mountains, and Elvis will always be Memphis.
6. Industry work is wildly obtuse as well.
Bill Showalter - Flickr
You'll find a medical and agricultural emphasis to the west, and the eastern side of the state subsists on more granola tourist opportunities, like hiking and running the ever fabulous Ober Gatlinburg.

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5. Would you rather small farm towns, or small mountain towns?
lucianvenutian - Flickr
We're sure you can guess which one's which.
4. Eastern Tennessee has mountain streams, whereas...
Brent Moore - Flickr
...Western Tennessee boasts the great Mississippi.
3. Unfortunately, crime is a little higher on one side than the other.
Bill Showalter - Flickr
Mainly because Memphis is a sprawling, massive town with quite a few tourists and newbies filtering in and out. It's not a reason to bash the city, though - we'll love it either way.
2. The dialect is different on both sides of the state.
Jeremy Sorrells - Flickr
In Memphis, you're bound to hear a more classic southern accent like that of neighboring Mississippi, but in the mountains the twang is reedy, solid pronunciation.
1. But we all belong right here...
Bill Showalter - Flickr
...in our great Tennessee. And for that, we will always be thankful.

Pretty true, wouldn’t you say? If you can’t choose a side, check out this gorgeous middle Tennessee town!

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