Capital: Frankfort

State abbreviation/Postal code: Ky./KY

Governor: Ernie Fletcher, R (to Dec. 2007)

Lieut. Governor: Stephen B. Pence, R (to Dec. 2007)

Senators: Jim Bunning, R (to Jan. 2011); Mitch McConnell, R (to Jan. 2009)

U.S. Representatives: 6

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: C.M. �Trey� Grayson, R (to Dec. 2007)

Treasurer: Jonathan Miller, D (to Dec. 2007)

Atty. General: Gregory D. Stumbo, D (to Dec. 2007)

Entered Union (rank): June 1, 1792 (15)

Present constitution adopted: 1891

Motto: United we stand, divided we fall

State symbols:

Nickname: Bluegrass State

Origin of name: From an Iroquoian word �Ken-tah-ten� meaning �land of tomorrow�

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Louisville/Jefferson County,¹ 556,429; Lexington-Fayette,² 268,080; Owensboro, 55,459; Bowling Green, 52,272; Covington, 42,811; Richmond, 30,893; Hopkinsville, 28,821; Henderson, 27,666; Frankfort, 27,210; Florence, 26,349

Land area: 39,728 sq mi. (102,896 sq km)

Geographic center: In Marion Co., 3 mi. NNW of Lebanon

Number of counties: 120

Largest county by population and area: Jefferson, 699,827 (2005); Pike, 787 sq mi.

State forests: 5 (35,809 ac.)

State parks: 52

Residents: Kentuckian

2005 resident population est.: 4,173,405

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.

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