Knoxville is a city in the Tennessee state of the U.S., and Knox County county seat. The population of Knoxville is over 187,500, making it the largest city in the East Tennessee area, and the third largest city in the state after Nashville and Memphis. Knoxville was first settled in 1786, and became Tennessee's first capital. Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee flagship campus, whose sports teams are popular in the surrounding area, the Tennessee Volunteers. Also, Knoxville is one of gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.