Between the Piedmont and the state of Tennessee is the Mountain region. Its elevation ranges from about 1500 to 6600 feet.At 6684 feet , Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the eastern United State. The mountains are part of the Appalachian chain ,which runs southwest to northeast from Georgia to Quebec. The Mountains region was the last in the state to be settled by Europeans. The lack of roads isolated the early settlers and helped them preserve parts of their nineteenth--century culture.The state's only Indian reservation is located at Cherokee. The Mountain region is still largely rural,with many small farms .As a result, agriculture is important.The leading crops are tobacco, corn , soybean ,wheat, vegetables and apples.A crop of increasing importmant is Chrismas trees . Livestock include poultry, beef cattle, and dariy herds. Mining is an important activities in this region.Among the minerals found are feldspar(長石) ,olivine(橄欖石),kaolin(高嶺土),mica(雲母),asbestos(石棉),marble(大理石), talc, and gemstone(寶石). More resently ,tourism has became very important. The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park drows 22 million visitors a year for camping , fishing , and hiking. In the winter , skiing is popular. |