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Before
we talk about this state, we should explain that Kentucky doesn't think of
itself as a state at all!
Kentucky is one of only four "states" in the United
States that is actually a commonwealth. This old word comes from England of the
1600s. It means that the government is based on the common consent (všeobecném
souhlasu) of the people.
How is that different from a state? In practical terms, today
it is the same. But don't make the mistake of calling Kentucky a
"state" if you are speaking to someone from Kentucky - you might get
corrected! You will see the term "The Commonwealth of Kentucky"
everywhere, from the state flag to local highway signs.
Kentucky is a gorgeous (nádherný, úžasný) place to visit
because it has a kind of wild beauty. It is on the west side of the Appalachian
Mountains and also enjoys the racing waters of the Ohio and Mississippi
Rivers.
In fact, Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state except
Alaska, so whitewater rafting (rafting na divoké vodě) is popular here.
Kentucky is also famous for its Mammoth Caves (mamutí jeskyně).
You can take underground tours that last from one to six hours.
The area's beauty is just a cover for the valuable resources
that lie underground. About half the state's land area is blanketed by forest,
and underneath are large deposits of coal, crushed stone (štěrk), natural gas
and petroleum.
CHICKENS: In the 1940s a businessman developed a recipe for
cooking chickens (with 11 herbs and spices), gave himself the name "Colonel
Sanders" and began a fast-food company. Yes! It was called "Kentucky
Fried Chicken", now known as KFC.
HORSES: Kentucky is home to "the most exciting two
minutes in sports," the world-famous annual Kentucky Derby horse race.
BLUEGRASS: Yes, the grass in Kentucky is really blue. Well,
kind of. In spring the small blue tips (špičky) make a field of this green
grass look blue. Bluegrass has a lot of minerals and limestone in it, part of
the secret for turning Kentucky's famous racehorses from mere (pouhý) runners
into world champions.
BLUEGRASS MUSIC: Bluegrass music is Country music played on
banjos, fiddles, guitars, and mandolins. The musical group The Blue Grass Boys
took their name from the nickname for Kentucky, and the name for their music
came from the name for this musical group. Bluegrass music is played all over
the USA and it originated in the country specifically eastern/southeastern USA.
PICTURE GALLERY
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