Tennessee is a state in the southeast of the USA. The capital is Nashville, other important cities are Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Clarksville. Originally, Tennessee belonged to North Carolina and later to the Southwest Territory, before it was admitted to the Union in 1796 as the 16th state. Typical of Tennessee is its rich musical history: Nashville is considered the center of country music, while Memphis is known for blues and rock 'n' roll. Tennessee has a varied landscape with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and fertile plains to the west. The Tennessee River and the Mississippi River shape the landscape and form the natural boundaries of the state. Attractions include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the U.S., the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the cities of Memphis and Nashville with their historic music venues such as Graceland and the Country Music Hall of Fame.