In 2003, Kentucky’s GDP was $129 billion. The state’s most important minerals include hard coal, natural gas, and oil. The state’s industry is concentrated along the Ohio River. Food processing, textiles, tobacco, machinery, iron and steel products, motor vehicles, electronics, furniture, shoes, liquor, and chemical plants are the most developed industries in the state.
The leading role in agriculture is played by crop-growing (Kentucky is the second-largest producer of tobacco in the nation after Virginia), forage grasses, soybeans, and corn. The state’s livestock specialty is horse breeding; Kentucky ranks first in the United States in breeding racehorses. The state also ranks sixth in the nation in cattle breeding.
Kentucky is considered the birthplace and primary production area for bourbon, America’s corn whiskey. Kentucky is home to all the largest and best-known bourbon distilleries.