2000 resident census population (rank):
4,041,769 (25). Male: 1,975,368 (48.9%); Female:
2,066,401 (51.1%). White: 3,640,889 (90.1%); Black:
295,994 (7.3%); American Indian: 8,616 (0.2%); Asian:
29,744 (0.7%); Other race: 22,623 (0.6%); Two or more
races: 42,443 (1.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 59,939 (1.5%).
2000 percent population 18 and over: 75.4; 65 and
over: 12.5; median age: 35.9.
Politically, the Kentucky region was originally part of Virginia, but
statehood was gained in 1792. Gen. Anthony Wayne's
victory in 1794 at Fallen Timbers in Ohio
marked the end of Native American resistance in the area and secured the
Kentucky frontier.
As a slaveholding state with a considerable abolitionist population,
Kentucky was caught in the middle during the Civil War, supplying both
Union and Confederate forces with thousands of troops.
Kentucky prides itself on producing some of the nation's best tobacco,
horses, and whiskey. Corn, soybeans, wheat, fruit, hogs, cattle, and dairy
products are among the agricultural items produced.
Among the manufactured items produced in the state are motor vehicles,
furniture, aluminum ware, brooms, apparel, lumber products, machinery,
textiles, and iron and steel products. Kentucky also produces significant
amounts of petroleum, natural gas, fluorspar, clay, and stone. However,
coal accounts for 85% of the total mineral income.
Louisville is famous for
the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and the Bluegrass country around
Lexington is the home of some of the world's finest race horses. Other
attractions are Mammoth Cave, the George S. Patton, Jr.,
Military Museum at Fort Knox, and Old Fort Harrod State Park.
