According to INDEXDOTCOM, Tennessee is located in the southeastern region of the United States and is bordered by eight states: Virginia to the north, North Carolina and Georgia to the east, Alabama to the south, Mississippi and Arkansas to the west, and Missouri and Kentucky to the northwest. Tennessee is home to two major mountain ranges – the Great Smoky Mountains in the east and Cumberland Plateau in the middle of the state. The highest point in Tennessee is Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet (2,025 m). The state has four major rivers: The Tennessee River runs along its border with Alabama and forms part of its boundary with Kentucky; The Cumberland River runs through Middle Tennessee; The Mississippi River forms part of its western boundary with Arkansas; And The Ohio River forms part of its northern boundary with Kentucky. In addition, there are thousands of smaller streams throughout Tennessee. According to SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES, Tennessee is home to a number of highly ranked public and private universities. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is the state’s flagship institution and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Vanderbilt University in Nashville is one of the nation’s top private universities and offers an excellent academic experience in a diverse urban setting. Other well-known institutions include the University of Memphis, East Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Austin Peay State University, and Tennessee Technological University. These universities offer a wide range of academic programs ranging from agriculture to engineering to liberal arts to business. Most also have strong research capabilities in areas such as health sciences, biotechnology, nanotechnology, renewable energy sources, and more.