Chattanooga is a city in southeastern Tennessee, seat of Hamilton County, and also a port within the Tennessee River, at the Georgia border. Bridges span the river to link the two parts of the city, which is a service, financial, retail, and distribution center. Manufactures include textiles, primary and fabricated metal, chemicals, and food products; tourism is of growing importance into the economy. Three interstate highways and the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport serve the city.
Chattanooga is home to a campus (established in 1886) of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee Temple University (1946), and also a community college. Museums include the Chattanooga Regional History Museum; the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, where visitors could take a trip on-board a steam-powered passenger train; the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts; the Hunter Museum of Art, along with a collection spanning three centuries of American arts; and also the Creative Discovery Museum for the children.
Historical landmarks are also located in the immediate region. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park commemorates many battles of the American Civil War (1861-1865); on this park are Signal Mountain, site of a Confederate observation post; Lookout Mountain, on which the "Battle above the Clouds" was fought; and parts of Missionary Ridge. In the city are the Chattanooga National Cemetery, the Confederate Cemetery, and also the Battles for Chattanooga Museum. Chattanooga is also home to the Tennessee Aquarium, the Symphony and Opera Association, the Chattanooga Nature Center and Reflection Riding, and Bessie Smith Hall, named for the Chattanooga-born blues singer. The Riverbend Festival, held in June, is a major yearly event.
The city, almost covered with mountains, is the center of an area with numerous scenic tourist attractions, like Rock City Gardens, an area of natural rock formations with sights of seven states; Ruby Falls, a natural waterfall far below the surface of Lookout Mountain and accessible through cavern passages; and also Raccoon Mountain Caverns.
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