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About East Tennessee
| East Tennessee is an area of natural beauty and true southern hospitality. Nestled beside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and woven by peaceful rivers and lakes, East Tennessee is home to more than 1 million people in 15 counties surrounding greater Knoxville. |  |
| East Tennessee is rich in history and culture. Knoxville and area communities provide continuous presentations in the visual and performing arts, including fine art, symphony orchestras, opera, theatre, and ballet. |  |
| The sports enthusiast is not disappointed by East Tennessee’s recreational offerings. Professional baseball, ice hockey and championship-level collegiate teams provide fans year-round excitement. An endless network of waterways provides anglers and boaters abundant opportunity for sport. |  |
| Metropolitan Knoxville was ranked “best place to live in the United States and Canada” among cities with a population of fewer than 1 million in the Millenium Edition of Places Rated Almanac. |  |