Rivers have played a vital role in the historical development of the United States of America. Kentucky's 1,100 miles of navigable waterways comprise one of the most expansive and complex systems in the nation. It is the only US commonwealth to be bordered on three sides by rivers - the Mississippi River to the west, the Ohio River to the north, and the Big Sandy River and Tug Fork River to the east. Its major internal rivers include the Kentucky River, the Tennessee River, the Cumberland River, the Green River, and the Licking River.
Kentucky has twelve public Riverports, seven of which are operating ports and five of which are developing ports. Kentucky is also home to a large concentration of marine industries. A state-of-the art towing industry training facility is located in Paducah and several barge lines have headquarters and/or operations centers in Kentucky.