Memphis TN (Tennessee)

Memphis TN is a Mississippi River cruise port and city in Tennessee state (southwestern USA). It is located south of the confluence of two rivers (Wolf and Mississippi). By population (around 650,000) it is ranked state's biggest, also the largest on Mississippi River, the 5th largest in Southeastern USA (after Jacksonville FL, Charlotte NC, Washington DC, Nashville TN), and USA's 23rd largest. By population (around 1,4 million), the metro area Greater Memphis is ranked the state's 2nd-largest (after Nashville).

Memphis is the youngest of the major cities in Tennessee, founded as a planned city in 1819 by a group of wealthy Americans, including USA's 7th president (mandate 1829-1837) Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). Graceland, former home of music legend Elvis Presley, is among the most visited houses in the United States (2nd only to the White House), and attracts more than 600,000 visitors per year. Featured at Graceland are two of Presley's private airplanes, his motorcycles and cars collection.

city's central geographic location has been strategic to its business development. Located on the Mississippi River and intersected by five major freight railroads and two Interstate Highways, I-40 and I-55, Memphis is ideally located for commerce in the transportation and shipping industry. Its access by water was key to its initial development, with steamboats deployed on Mississippi River. Railroad construction strengthened its connection to other markets to the east and west.

The city is served by Memphis International Airport (ranked the world's 2nd busiest cargo airport - after Hong Kong China). Memphis is the main hub for FedEx shipping. Here are headquartered numerous US corporations and large companies, including FedEx, International Paper, Verso Paper, AutoZone, Allenberg Cotton, Cargill Cotton, American Residential Services; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell-Berkowitz; City Gear, First Horizon National, Fred's, GTx, Lenny's Sub Shop, Mid-America Apartments, ServiceMaster, True Temper Sports, Varsity Brands.

City's best-known landmarks and tourist attractions include Beale Street (live music performances, bars, clubs), Memphis Zoo, Peabody Hotel, Sun Studio (1950-opened recording studio and museum), Orpheum Theatre (ballet, opera and Broadway-style productions), New Daisy Theatre (large concert hall), Mud Island Amphitheatre (concert hall), Memphis Pyramid (housing world's largest Bass Pro Shops, also restaurants, bowling alley, aquarium, hotel), Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, FedExForum (multi-purpose arena), day-cruises on Mississippi River.

As cruise port, Memphis TN is included in the schedules of USA's largest river cruise companies - ACL (American Cruise Lines) and AQSC (American Queen Voyages/Steamboat Company). Memphis is homeport for large paddlewheel riverboats like American Queen, American Duchess, America/American Splendor, Queen of the Mississippi/American Heritage.