ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓÆµ

Physical Map of Tennessee - Geographical Features of Tennessee

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:40 ET

Physical Map of Tennessee showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other Tennessee physical features.

Tennessee Physical Map

Physical Features of Tennessee

Tennessee features a diverse landscape that stretches from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west. The eastern region includes rugged mountains and forested ridges, while the central part of the state consists of rolling hills and fertile valleys. Western Tennessee is flatter, with broad floodplains and river lowlands. Major rivers such as the Tennessee and Cumberland shape the terrain, and the state’s geography transitions from mountainous highlands to flat plains.

Major Landforms in Tennessee

LandformTypeRegionDescription
Appalachian MountainsMountain rangeEastHigh rugged terrain
Great Smoky MountainsMountainsEastForested high peaks
Cumberland PlateauPlateauEast-centralElevated flat region
Highland RimUplandCentralRolling elevated terrain
Nashville BasinBasinCentralFertile lowland region
Mississippi Alluvial PlainPlainWestFlat floodplain area
Tennessee ValleyValleyEastRiver valley corridor
Western ValleyValleyWestBroad river valley
Ridge and ValleyMountain systemEastParallel ridges and valleys
Reelfoot BasinBasinWestEarthquake formed basin

Major Mountain Ranges in Tennessee

Mountain RangeRegionHighest PeakElevation
Great Smoky MountainsEastClingmans Dome6,643 ft
Blue Ridge MountainsEastClingmans Dome6,643 ft
Cumberland MountainsEastBig Frog Mountain4,224 ft
Unaka MountainsEastRoan Mountain6,285 ft

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in Tennessee

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Tennessee RiverRiverStatewideLongest river in state
Cumberland RiverRiverCentralFlows through Nashville
Mississippi RiverRiverWestForms western boundary
Clinch RiverRiverEastTributary of Tennessee River
Duck RiverRiverCentralBiologically diverse river
Kentucky LakeLakeWestLargest lake in Tennessee
Old Hickory LakeLakeCentralReservoir on Cumberland River
Chickamauga LakeLakeEastHydroelectric reservoir
Douglas LakeLakeEastFlood control reservoir
Reelfoot LakeLakeWestEarthquake formed lake

Elevation and Terrain in Tennessee

Tennessee’s elevation varies from high mountain peaks in the east to low river plains in the west. Clingmans Dome is the highest point, while the lowest elevation lies along the Mississippi River. The terrain includes mountains, plateaus, valleys, and plains.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointClingmans Dome – 6,643 ft
Lowest PointMississippi River – 178 ft
Average Elevation900 ft
Terrain TypeMountains, valleys, plains

Tennessee Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateTennessee
Total Area42,144 sq mi
Land Area41,235 sq mi
Water Area909 sq mi
Highest PointClingmans Dome
Lowest PointMississippi River
Longest RiverTennessee River
Largest LakeKentucky Lake
Major LandformsAppalachians, Plateau
Main Water BodiesTennessee River, Mississippi River
Terrain TypeDiverse and varied terrain
CoastlineNo coastline