Just 30 miles north of the country's most visited national park, Knoxville, Tennessee, has long been known as the "Gateway to the Smokies." The greater Knoxville area has won accolades for its "livability"—a combination of qualities that encompasses such factors as economic outlook, climate, cost of living, education, transportation, and the arts. The corporate hub of east Tennessee and home to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville's main campus, the city is not yet among the South's urban giants. In the last several decades Knoxville has experienced impressive gains, particularly in high-technology industries and related firms. Because of the influence of TVA, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and world-famous Oak Ridge, 30 miles away, Knoxville has become known as one of the foremost energy centers in the world. Knoxvillians are determined to enjoy the fruits of development without sacrificing those qualities that have made their city stand out among the country's smaller urban areas.