Chattanooga is situated within the State of Tennessee, USA. It is the fourth largest city in the state following Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. The city of Chattanooga has a roughly estimated population of 167,674 and is the seat of the County of Hamilton. Chattanooga is situated on Nickajack Lake and Chickamauga Lake in southeastern Tennessee. These are both sections of the Tennessee River. Chattanooga is located 148 miles or 238 km towards the northeast of Birmingham, within the state of Alabama, 190km or 120 miles southwest of the city of Knoxville, 190km or 120 miles to the northwest of the city of Atlanta, Georgia, and 217km or 135 miles to the southeast of the city of Nashville. The city abuts the Georgia border. The region is located at the junction of 3 main interstate highways, the I-75, the I-59 and the I-24.
The city is with the ridge-and-valley portion of the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau. The city of Chattanooga has an elevation within the downtown core of approximately 680 feet or 210 m. "Scenic City" is the official nickname for Chattanooga because is it densely surrounded by several ridges and mountains.
Before the very first European people coming from expeditions led by Hernando DeSoto of Spain, the areas very first inhabitants were Native American Indians. During the year 1816, the city of Chattanooga was established at Ross's Landing by John Ross who was Chief of the Cherokee Indians. During 1838, the city used the name Chattanooga and the name is taken from Native American origin.
Tourism plays a huge part in the economy within Chattanooga, Tennessee. There are numerous manufacturing and service industries within the area as well. Amongst the various growing economic sectors consist of information, financial, professional and business services. There are numerous corporations which have their head office within the city of Chattanooga like for example Chattam Inc., UNUM Provident Corp., Dixie Yarns, Olan Mills, Brach & Confections and North American Royalties.
There are a lot of opportunities for employment within the city especially in such industries which produce cosmetics, petroleum products, furniture, pharmaceuticals, steel and iron products, textiles, machinery and processed foods.
There is a program designed to offer financial assistance to new and expanding companies. It is referred to as Tennessee's Fast Track Training Services Program. They help companies establish customized training programs. Also, the cost of labor in the city remains much less than many other places in the nation.
Chattanooga is home of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, as it is the origin of the tow truck. The passenger train is likewise honored at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, affectionately known by the locals as TVRM. This is the biggest operating historic railroad within the Sough. There are various other museums in the city of Chattanooga such as the Houston Museum, the Creative Discovery Museum, the Chattanooga Regional History Museum, the Chattanooga African American Museum and the National Medal of Honor Museum.
Each and every month of June, the city hosts the 9 day music festival known as the Riverbend Festival in the downtown area. Among the more popular events is the "Bessie Smith Strut". It is a one-night showcase of jazz and blues music which is named for the most famous blues singer within the city of Chattanooga. The "River Roast" festival and the "Southern Brewer's Festival," celebrate such traditional staples the South is famous for like beer and barbecue.