Lexington, Kentucky
| Lexington | |
|---|---|
| Nickname : Horse Capital of the World | |
.jpg) Lexington History Center, the former courthouse in downtown Lexington |
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| Location in Kentucky | |
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| Basic data | |
| Foundation : | 1775 |
| State : | United States |
| State : | Kentucky |
| County : | Fayette County |
| Coordinates : | 38 ° 2 ′ N , 84 ° 30 ′ W |
| Time zone : | Eastern ( UTC − 5 / −4 ) |
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Inhabitants : - Metropolitan Area : |
318,449 (as of 2016) 525,032 (as of 2016) |
| Population density : | 432.1 inhabitants per km 2 |
| Area : | 739.5 km 2 (approx. 286 mi 2 ) of which 736.9 km 2 (approx. 285 mi 2 ) is land |
| Height : | 295 m |
| Postcodes : | 40502-40517, 40522-40524, 40526, 40533, 40536, 40544, 40546, 40550, 40555, 40574-40583, 40588, 40591, 40598 |
| Area code : | +1 258 |
| FIPS : | 21-46027 |
| GNIS ID : | 496343 |
| Website : | www.lexingtonky.gov |
| Mayor : | Linda Gorton ( R ) |
Lexington is a city in Fayette County in the US state of Kentucky . It is a center of horse breeding and is known as the "Horse Capital of the World" .
geography
The city is located in the middle of the bluegrass region in the north of the state and is the second largest city in Kentucky by area after Louisville .
Fayette County, Kentucky covers 733 km² and extends nearly 300 meters above sea level on gently rolling plains in the center of the inner bluegrass region. The area is known for its beauty, fertile soils, excellent grazing land and horse breeding farms, established by Poa pratensis , the bluegrass that thrives on the limestone beneath the soil. Numerous streams and small rivers flow to the Kentucky River .
Population development
| year | Residents¹ |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 204.165 |
| 1990 | 225,366 |
| 2000 | 260,527 |
| 2010 | 295,803 |
| 2016 | 318,449 |
¹ 1980–2010: census results; 2016: US Census Bureau estimate
climate
The mean annual temperature in Lexington is 13 ° C. Every year around 1200 mm of precipitation falls.
history
Lexington was founded in 1775, 17 years before Kentucky became a US state, so it was still part of Virginia at the time. Around 1820, Lexington was to the west of one of the largest and most prosperous cities Allegheny Mountains , so that they, because of their lifestyle cultivated the nickname "Athens of the West" ( "Athens of the West" was awarded).
In 1970, the Lexington City Government and Fayette County Regional Government merged to form the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government . In 2010 Lexington-Fayette had a population of 295,803.
Economy and industry
Traditionally, horses are bred and tobacco is grown. Handicrafts and an increasing variety of new products and services contribute to a healthy economy in the region.
Major employers in and around Lexington are Alltech Inc., Ashland Inc., Clark Material Handling Company , General Electric Company, GTE Products Corporation, Johnson Controls , Lexmark International , Link-Belt Construction Equipment Company, Long John Silver's, Square D Company, Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA Inc., The Trane Company, The Valvoline Company, United Parcel Service, and the University of Kentucky .
traffic
The airport Blue Grass Airport ( IATA : LEX, ICAO : KLEX) is located six kilometers west of the town in the district of Fayette County, KY.
On August 27, 2006, shortly after six o'clock in the morning (local time), a serious aircraft accident occurred after a passenger plane ( Delta 5191 ) took off. The machine of the type Bombardier CRJ100 probably crashed due to a false start over a forest area. According to CNN information, the plane took off from the wrong runway. It was originally supposed to take off from runway 22. For unexplained reasons, it took off from runway 26, which is much shorter. On board were 47 passengers and three crew members on the way to Atlanta in the US state of Georgia. Only the copilot could be rescued alive, the other 49 people died.
Attractions
The picturesque town center with the Mary Todd Lincoln House and the Lexington Opera House , in which musicals are preferred, are to be mentioned as sights.
Kentucky Horse Park
The Kentucky Horse Park has been located in Lexington since 1978 , an equestrian facility with an area of around 5 square kilometers with a large theme park with information, shows and activities relating to horses . Twice a day, the Horses of the World show is staged , showing horses more common and rare horse breeds from around the globe with authentic saddlery and costumes. Numerous other events and tournaments take place in the park .
The Kentucky Horse Park was the venue for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games . The Kentucky Three-Day Event , one of the most important multi-purpose tournaments ( CCI **** ) worldwide, takes place here every year .
Here you will find the International Museum of the Horse with a permanent exhibition on horses in history and a temporary exhibition on various topics, such as "A Gift from the Desert" (Arabia), Imperial China and All the Queen's Horses (Great Britain).
Since 1979, the arrival of Forego , a great racehorse , the Kentucky Horse Park has been home to some of the most successful sport horses such as John Henry , Bold Forbes , Cigar , Alysheba , Funny Cide and Go For Gin . Cigar died in the park in 2014. In addition to thoroughbreds , some well-known Standardbred trotting horses such as Staying Together, Western Dreamer, Cam Fella, Rambling Willie and Mr. Muscleman and also gaited horses such as the American saddlebred gelding CH Gypsy Supreme, CH Imperator and CH Sky Watch lived here .
There are some horse sculptures in Kentucky Horse Park, such as the statue of Man o 'War near the entrance. A life-size statue depicts the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat . There is also a statue of Bret Hanover, an important trotting horse.
National Horse Center
The National Horse Center is home to 30 national and regional horse organizations. This includes:
- American Association of Equine Practitioners
- American Farrier's Association
- American Hackney Horse Society
- American Hanoverian Society
- American Saddlebred Horse Association
- Carriage Association of America
- Kentucky Horse Racing Authority
- Equestrian Events, Inc.
- United States Hunter / Jumper Association
- United States Dressage Federation
- United States Equestrian Federation
- United States Pony Clubs , Inc.
Facilities
The Rolex Stadium has a main stand with 7,338 seats and can accommodate 37,000 spectators. It is used for concerts, major equestrian events, and other sporting events, such as soccer and American football.
The Alltech Arena is an event hall that holds 8,500 spectators. It is used for equestrian events, concerts, indoor soccer, ice hockey and various other sports.
The Kentucky Horse Park Arboretum is part of the park.
Events
A variety of events are held at the Kentucky Horse Park. In the past this includes:
- Kentucky Three-Day Event (annually, since 1978)
- High Hope Steeplechase (annually, since 1974)
- Southern Lights holiday festival (annually, since 1993)
- National Pony Club Championships (every 3 years)
- North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (annually, since 2009)
- USEF Pony Finals (annually, since 2008)
- National Horse Show (annually, since 2011 in the Alltech Arena)
- Ichthus Music Festival, Christian music festival (annually, since 2015)
religion
There are 230 churches and synagogues representing 38 denominations. This includes the Cathedral of Christ the King ( Christ the King's Cathedral) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington . The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington is also based in the city.
education
Lexington is home to Transylvania University (privately owned, founded 1780) and the University of Kentucky (state, founded 1865).
Other higher education institutions in the area include Asbury College, Asbury Theological Seminary , Berea College, Center College, Eastern Kentucky University , Georgetown College, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington Theological Seminary, National College of Business and Technology, Midway College, Sullivan College.
media
The Lexington Herald Leader is an important daily newspaper . The University Press of Kentucky is a Lexington-based university publisher specializing in the human and social sciences .
Sports
The University of Kentucky basketball team is an attraction. The "Kentucky Wildcats" won eight NCAA titles in the local Rupp Arena with around 23,000 seats.
From September 25th to October 10th 2010 the World Equestrian Games were held in Lexington . The Kentucky Three-Day Event is an annual eventing competition .
Various tennis tournaments are also held in Lexington.
Twin cities
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Deauville , Normandy, France (since 1957) -
County Kildare , Ireland (since 1984) -
Shinhidaka (Hokkaido) , Japan (since 1988) -
Newmarket (Suffolk) , UK (since 2003)
Personalities
Sons and Daughters of the City (selection)
- Thomas Buck Reed (1787–1829), politician
- Mary Lincoln (1818–1882), wife of US President Abraham Lincoln
- George Clooney (born 1961), actor, screenwriter, producer and director
- Melissa McBride (born 1965), actress
- Kevin Richardson (* 1971), singer and member of the boy band Backstreet Boys
- Michael Shannon (born 1974), actor
- Brian Littrell (* 1975), singer and member of the boy band Backstreet Boys
- Tinashe (* 1993), actress, singer and dancer
Personalities related to the city
- Jackson Whipps Showalter (1860-1935), chess player
- Ralph Kercheval (1911-2010), football player (cast in Lexington)
- Scott Hoffman (* 1961), musician, member of the band Scissor Sisters
- Bryson Tiller (* 1993), musician
See also
Web links
- Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (English)
- Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau (English)
- Commerce Lexington Inc. Lexington business information
- World Equestrian Games 2010 (English)