Memphis, Tennessee

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Memphis, Tennessee}}
{{See also|List of neighborhoods in Memphis, Tennessee}}

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|839.2|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|816.0|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|23.2|km2|order=flip}}, or 2.76%, is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001), Memphis city, Tennessee|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=September 7, 2012}}</ref>

=== Cityscape ===
{{wide image|Memphispyramid2021.jpg|align-cap=center|1000px|The [[Downtown Memphis|Downtown]] skyline from the lookout at the [[Memphis Pyramid|Pyramid]] facing southwest}}
{{wide image|Bigriverdtme.jpg|align-cap=center|1000px|[[Downtown Memphis|Downtown]] from the [[Harahan Bridge]]}}

[[Downtown Memphis, Tennessee|Downtown Memphis]] rises from a bluff along the [[Mississippi River]]. The city and metro area spread out through suburbanization, and encompass southwest Tennessee, northern [[Mississippi]], and eastern [[Arkansas]]. Several large parks were founded in the city in the early 20th century, notably [[Overton Park]] in [[Midtown, Memphis|Midtown]] and the {{convert|4500|acre|km2|abbr=on|adj=on}} [[Shelby Farms]]. The city is a national transportation hub and Mississippi River crossing for [[Interstate 40]], (east-west), [[Interstate 55]] (north-south), barge traffic, Memphis International Airport ([[FedEx Express|FedEx's "SuperHub" facility]]) and numerous freight railroads that serve the city.

=== Riverfront ===
[[File:American Queen Memphis TN 2012-04-27 016.jpg|thumb|The [[American Queen]] docked at Beale Street Landing along the riverfront]]
The Memphis Riverfront stretches along the Mississippi River from the [[Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park]] in the north, to the [[T. O. Fuller State Park]] in the south. The River Walk is a [[park system]] that connects downtown Memphis from Mississippi River Greenbelt Park in the north, to [[Tom Lee Park]]  in the south.

=== Deannexation ===
In recent years, the city has decided to [[Municipal deannexation in the United States|deannex]] some of its territory. It has gone through a three-phase process to deannex five areas within the city limits, returning them to unincorporated Shelby County.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/2954/Annexations|title=Annexations and De-Annexations {{!}} Shelby County, TN – Official Website|website=www.shelbycountytn.gov|access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> The first phase of deannexation occurred on January 1, 2020, when the Eads and River Bottoms areas returned to county jurisdiction. As a result, the Shelby County Sheriff is responsible for patrolling these former parts of Memphis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2019/12/31/eads-river-bottoms-will-be-de-annexed-memphis-added-shelby-co/|title=Eads and River Bottoms will be de-annexed from Memphis, added to Shelby Co.|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=[[WMC-TV]]|date=December 31, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> The first phase of the deannexation process reduced the city's size by 5% and its population by 0.03%.<ref name="auto" />

=== Aquifer ===
Shelby County is located over four natural [[aquifer]]s, one of which is recognized as the "Memphis Sand Aquifer" or simply as the "Memphis Aquifer". Located {{convert|350|to|1100|ft}} underground, this [[artesian water]] source is considered soft and estimated by [[Memphis Light, Gas and Water]] to contain more than {{convert|100|e12USgal|km3}} of water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlgw.com/SubView.php?key=about_ourutilservices |title=Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Website – About Our Services |publisher=Mlgw.com |access-date=July 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716122221/http://mlgw.com/SubView.php?key=about_ourutilservices |archive-date=July 16, 2010}}</ref>

====Cancelled Byhalia Pipeline project====
{{main|Byhalia Pipeline}}
The Byhalia Pipeline proposed by [[Plains All American Pipeline]] and [[Valero Energy]],<ref name=sepipeline>{{cite web|url=https://www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/news-feed/what-you-need-to-know-about-how-the-byhalia-pipeline-impacts-memphis|title=Southern Environment|work=southernenvironment.org|access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref> and set to begin construction in 2020,<ref 
name=cappeal1>{{cite news |last1=Garland |first1=Max |title=Proposed Byhalia Connection pipeline would run from Memphis to Marshall County, Mississippi |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/industries/logistics/2019/12/11/byhalia-connection-pipeline-memphis-marshall-county-mississippi-plains-all-american-pipeline-valero/4383839002/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |work=The Commercial Appeal}}</ref> was the subject of massive public and legal opposition to the project over concerns regarding possible contamination of the Memphis aquifer.<ref name="appipeline1">{{cite news |last1=Sainz |first1=Adrian |title=Company asks for pause in Memphis oil pipeline dispute |url=https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-race-and-ethnicity-business-government-and-politics-health-e3cbc52f700a03e88755ec5d20a97a1f |access-date=January 21, 2024 |work=AP News |date=April 20, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="SELChydro">{{cite web |title=Hydrogeologic report warns of pipeline threats to Memphis drinking water source |url=https://www.southernenvironment.org/news/hydrogeologic-report-warns-of-pipeline-threats-to-memphis-drinking-water-source/ |website=Southern Environmental Law Center |access-date=January 21, 2024}}</ref><ref name=wmcactionnews517>{{cite web|url=https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2021/04/02/organizations-take-legal-action-with-hopes-stopping-byhalia-pipeline/|title=Organizations Take Legal Action With Hopes Stopping Byhalia Pipeline|work=wmcactionnews5.com|date=April 2, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref> Notable figures voicing public opposition to the project included Memphis Congressman [[Steve Cohen (politician)|Steve Cohen]], Congresswoman [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]], [[Al Gore]], [[Danny Glover]], [[Giancarlo Esposito]], and [[Jane Fonda]].<ref name="mlk5010">{{cite web|url=https://mlk50.com/2021/03/09/former-vice-president-al-gore-to-speak-at-memphis-rally-opposing-byhalia-pipeline/|title=Former Vice President Al Gore To Speak At Memphis Rally Opposing Byhalia Pipeline|work=mlk50.com|date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref><ref name=housegov18>{{cite web|url=https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-cohen-and-ocasio-cortez-urge-biden-administration|title=Representatives Cohen And Ocasio Cortez Urge Biden Administration|work=cohen.house.gov|date=April 15, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sells |first1=Toby |title=Celebrities Tweet Opposition to Byhalia Pipeline |url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/celebrities-tweet-opposition-to-byhalia-pipeline |work=MemphisFlyer}}</ref>

The pipeline's route, which was set to run through the historic Black Boxtown neighborhood,<ref name=sepipeline/> raised concerns among the projects opponents about the [[environmental racism|racially disproportionate impacts]] that contamination from the pipeline would cause if completed.<ref name="appipeline1" />

Construction of the pipeline was cancelled in July 2021 after months of activism and resistance from organizations including Memphis Community Against the Pipeline (MCAP), Protect Our Aquifer, the Memphis and Mid-South Chapter of [[The Climate Reality Project]], and other partnered organizations.<ref name="mlk5010"/>

=== Climate ===
Memphis has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa'', [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]] ''Cf''), with four distinct seasons, and is located in [[Hardiness zone|USDA Plant Hardiness Zone]] 8a in downtown, cooling to 7b for much of the surrounding region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/# |title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher=Agricultural Research Center, PRISM Climate Group Oregon State University |access-date=February 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ |archive-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref> Winter weather comes alternately from the upper [[Great Plains]] and the [[Gulf of Mexico]], which can lead to drastic swings in temperature. Summer weather may come from [[Texas]] (very hot and humid) or the Gulf (hot and very humid). July has a daily average temperature of {{convert|82.8|°F|1}}, with high levels of humidity due to moisture encroaching from the Gulf of Mexico. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are frequent during summer, but usually brief, lasting no longer than an hour. Early autumn is pleasantly drier and mild, but can be hot until late October. Late autumn is rainy and cooler; precipitation peaks again in November and December. Winters are mild to chilly, with a January daily average temperature of {{convert|42.1|°F|1}}. Snow occurs sporadically in winter, with an average seasonal snowfall of {{convert|2.7|in|cm|1}}. Ice storms and freezing rain pose a greater danger, as they can often pull tree limbs down on power lines and make driving hazardous. Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year though mainly during the spring months. Large hail, strong winds, flooding, and frequent lightning can accompany these storms. Some storms spawn tornadoes.

The lowest temperature ever recorded in Memphis was {{convert|−13|°F|0}} on December 24, 1963,<ref name="Dec Averages">{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/?n=climatememdec |title=Memphis December Climate |publisher=NOAA |date=January 4, 2012 |access-date=January 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.currentresults.com/Yearly-Weather/USA/TN/Memphis/extreme-annual-memphis-low-temperature.php |title=Memphis – Lowest Temperature for Each Year |website=currentresults.com |access-date=September 28, 2021 }}</ref> and the highest temperature ever was {{convert|108|°F|0}} on July 13, 1980.<ref name="Jul Averages">{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/?n=climatememjul |title=Memphis July Climate |publisher=NOAA |date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2012}}</ref> Over the course of a year, there is an average of 4.4 days of highs below freezing, 6.9 nights of lows below {{convert|20|°F|0}}, 43 nights of lows below freezing, 64 days of highs above {{convert|90|°F|0}}, and 2.1 days of highs above {{convert|100|°F|0}}.
<!-- (Hidden as it needs some fixing)
Lowest temperature recorded at Memphis each year
 Mininum °F, Fahrenheit  Date
            12	    	16-Jan-09
            14	    	22-Dec-08
            18	    	February 16, 2007 +
            16	    	December 8, 2006 +
            18	    	9-Dec-05
            15	    	25-Dec-04
            10	    	24-Jan-03
            18	    	March 4, 2002 +
            11	    	January 3, 2001 +
            12	    	December 22, 2000 +
            12	    	5-Jan-99
            18	    	12-Mar-98
             8	    	11-Jan-97
             4	    	February 4, 1996 +
            13	    	10-Dec-95
             9	    	19-Jan-94
            16	    	18-Feb-93
            14	    	16-Jan-92
            19	    	February 16, 1991 +
            12	    	24-Dec-90
            -4	    	22-Dec-89
             6	    	February 12, 1988 +
            19	    	January 27, 1987 +
            11	    	27-Jan-86
            -4	    	20-Jan-85
             8	    	19-Jan-84
             0	    	25-Dec-83
             0	    	17-Jan-82
            11	    	20-Dec-81
            16	    	1-Feb-80
             9	    	9-Feb-79
            14	    	6-Feb-78
             8	    	January 17, 1977 +
             9	    	31-Dec-76
            17	    	13-Jan-75<ref>[https://www.currentresults.com/Yearly-Weather/USA/TN/Memphis/extreme-annual-memphis-low-temperature.php] Memphis – Lowest Temperature for Each Year</ref>
-->

Memphis temperatures dropped to -4 F during the [[1985 North American cold wave]] and during the [[December 1989 United States cold wave]].

Annual precipitation is high ({{convert|54.94|in|mm|sigfig=3|disp=sqbr}}) and relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Average monthly rainfall is especially high in March through May, and December, while August and September are relatively drier.

{{Memphis, Tennessee weatherbox}}