Move to Knoxville and you'll become part of a wonderful cosmopolitan and sophisticated area, of more than 366,846 residents. Quite simply, it's the unique appeal of a cosmopolitan city that just happens to be nestled in the shadows of the Great Smokey Mountains. A city in fact, which is less than a two-hour drive no less from five national parks, seven state parks, and seven lakes, where opportunities abound for outdoor recreation, scenic tours, and relaxation. Knoxville has been designated as a rapid growth area within the New South. Knoxville is the largest city in East Tennessee and ranks third largest in the state. It is located in a broad valley between the Cumberland Mountains to the Northwest and the Great Smokey Mountains to the southeast. These two mountain ranges help provide a moderate climate, with annual average temperature of 60 degrees. There are 97.2 square miles in the City of Knoxville and 526 square miles in all of Knox County. Downtown Knoxville is 936 feet above sea level. A city surrounded by cutting-edge scientific research centers, where the technologies of tomorrow are developed and nurtured. A place with a climate that's as friendly and accommodating as its people. And a city whose extensive shoreline allows fans to travel to football games by boat----and where, suddenly around a bend in the lake, the Great Smokey Mountains appear as if by magic. Knoxville is truly coming of age as a world-renowned metropolitan area. At the same time, Knoxville is made up of communities that pride themselves on a friendly "small town" atmosphere. This is a city where you will find an abundance of neighbors that say "welcome" and make you realize that Knoxville loves to meet people. The more you learn about Knoxville the more you'll be convinced that this is a great place to settle down and raise a family.