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Introduction Knoxville has long been known as the "Gateway to the Smokies." It has some of the best qualities like a growing economy, pleasant climate, cost of living, transportation network, and education facilities- reasons enough to attract settlers to the city. It is home to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the University of Tennessee. Because of the influence of TVA, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and world-famous Oak Ridge, 30 miles away, Knoxville became famous as one of the foremost energy centers in the world. The people of Knoxville have enjoyed the fruits of urbanization without sacrificing the good qualities.
Knoxville is located at the headwaters of the Tennessee River in a broad valley between the Cumberland Mountains to the northwest and the Great Smoky Mountains to the southeast.
Both mountain ranges influence the weather by weakening cold winter air from the north and tempering hot summer winds from the west and south. Precipitation is usually in the form of rain, and falls primarily during the winter and in late spring. Thunderstorms are also quite common in summertime and provide relief on extremely warm days in the valley. Snowfall averages approximately 12 inches annually, most often in amounts of less than four inches at one time.
Area: 92.7 square miles (2000)
Elevation: Approximately 936 feet above sea level
Latitude: 35.97 N
Longitude: 83.94 W
Average Temperatures: January, 37.6° F; July, 77.7° F; annual average, 60.0° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 48.2 inches
Population: 180,130 as on 2005
Attractions * Volunteer Landing
* Gateway RegionalVisitor Center
* Chilhowee Park and Tyson Park
* Ijams NatureCenter
* Smokies
* Cherokee National Forest
* Big RidgeState Park
* Cove LakeState Park
* Frozen HeadState Park and Natural Area
* Norris DamState Park
* Panther CreekState Park
* Knoxville are the Armstrong-Lockett House
* Mabry-Hazen House
* Candy FactoryBuilding
* Knoxville Zoological Park
Festivals * Dogwood Arts Festival
* Bearden Festival of Art
* Tennessee Valley Fair
* Foothills Fall Festival
* Tennessee Fall Homecoming