Articles of category "Smoky Mountain Vacation"

Established in June 1934 by Congress, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park received international recognition in September 1940. In 1976, it was designated an International Biosphere Reserve, and seven years later it was certified UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it rates among the top national parks, seen as home to a great variety of unique species of plants and landscapes. As of 2003, the Park was visited by 9 million tourists annually.

The Great Smoky Mountains, often referred to as the Smoky Mountains or the Smokies, are seen as the main mountain range of the southern Appalachian Mountain chain. Located west of the Eastern Continental Divide, they stretch from Tennessee to North Carolina. The major tourist destination of the region is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, established in the 1930's.