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The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States, although it is sometimes included, geographically, in the Midwest. West Virginia and Virginia lie to the east; Tennessee to the south; Missouri to the west; and Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north. Kentucky’s northern border is formed by the Ohio River, and the western border is formed by the Mississippi River. Kentucky has more navigable shoreline than any other state in the union, other than Alaska. There are also more farms per square mile than in any other U.S. state.
Kentucky is not one of the largest states, but it's geography is diverse. It is composed of five geographic regions that attest to this diversity; the Bluegrass Region, the Cumberland Plateau, the Western Coal Field, the Pennyroyal Region, and the Jackson Purchase Region. Many of these areas are characterized by rolling meadows and hills with some flat lands among them. There are a few mountains, plateaus, and valleys in the state, mostly found in the Cumberland Plateau.
The state of Kentucky has a moderate climate, characterized by warm, yet moist conditions. Summers are usually warm, and winters cool. The weather patterns are influenced by the Gulf of Mexico, especially during summer. Much of Kentucky's average 46 inches of precipitation a year falls in spring, the rainiest season. From south to north, precipitation decreases. Kentucky is located in a path several storm systems follow. Storms happen year-round; however most storms occur between March and September.
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