In the puzzle below, there is a clue pertaining to Harlan County, Kentucky. Harlan County has long been associated on the international stage with the coal industry and for good reason. In the process, the majestic beauty of the area is many times overlooked. Harlan County is rugged mountain country and home to Kentucky's highest point -- Big Black Mountain, part of the Cumberland Mountains, which is in turn part of the Appalachian Mountains. Harlan County is also home to abundant wildlife and rare plant species. According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, (KDFW), Harlan County is home to seven different Wildlife Management Areas, (WMA), one of which is Kentucky's first state forest, the 4,000 acre plus Kentenia State Forest, managed by the Kentucky Division of Forestry. Other wildlife management areas in Harlan County include: Begley WMA, over 31,000 acres shared with Bell and Leslie counties, a portion of which is reclaimed surface mines. Cranks Creek WMA, 2,161 acres of extreme mountainous terrain, managed by the KDFW. Martins Fork Lake WMA, over 1,000 acres managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Martins Fork WMA, over 1,600 acres that borders the Shillalah Creek WMA, (see below), and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The KDFW shares management of this area with the State Nature Preserves and the Kentucky Division of Water's Wild Rivers Programs. Shillalah Creek WMA, is a 2,575 acre area that Harlan County shares with Bell County. The Shillalah area contains mature forests and steep cliffs and is managed by the KDFW. Stone Mountain WMA, over 1,000 acres, managed by the KDFW in cooperation with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. Kingdom Come State Park is also located in Harlan County. The Little Shepherd Trail, which runs along the crest of Pine Mountain, in the Kentenia State Forest, goes through the park. There are ever increasing numbers of black bear on the park grounds. For more information on the activities available at the state park, visit the web site of the Kentucky Department of Parks. You need Java enabled to view the crossword applet.

To learn more about historical sites in specific Kentucky counties, you can search the Kentucky Historical Markers by county name at the Kentucky Historical Society's Marker Database.