Chattanooga was founded as a result of the removal of the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears. Ross’ Landing, one of the two starting points is now downtown Chattanooga. It was an important center during the Civil War and several battles were fought at the nearby Lookout Mountain and Chickamauga.

Today Chattanooga is a beautiful city located at the juncture of Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, in a valley in southeastern Tennessee between the Appalachian and the Cumberland mountain ranges. It is one of the sought after cities for its sustainable economic growth and quality of life. It was America’s most polluted city in 1980 but by the 21st century it became one of the cleanest cities by the initiative taken by the the privately-funded Vision 2000 program.  Today's Chattanooga boasts a vital and diverse economy, rich cultural history, and gleaming new downtown attractions loved by residents and visitors alike.

The city lies on both banks of the Tennessee River at Moccasin Bend and is bordered by Signal Mountain on the north and Lookout Mountain to the south. The mountains protect the city against the harsh climate. Therefore, Chattanooga enjoys a moderate climate with cool winters and hot summers. Extreme cold is rare, and the annual average snowfall is only 2.8 inches.

Area: 135.2 square miles (2000)

Elevation: Ranges from 675 feet above sea level in city to 2,391 feet at Lookout Mountain

Latitude: 35.05 N,

Longitude: 85.27 W

Average Temperatures: January, 39.4° F; July, 79.6° F; annual average, 60.5° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 54.5 inches

Population: 154,762 as on 2005

Attractions

• Tennessee Aquarium
• Chattanooga Zoo
• Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
• Chattanooga Choo-Choo
• Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
• Lookout Mountain
• John Ross House
• Winnepesaukah Amusement Park

Festivals

• 4 Bridges Arts Festival
• River Roast
• Bessie Smith Traditional Jazz Festival
• Riverbend Festival
• Fall Color Cruise and Folk Festival