Each constituting roughly one-third of the state, the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee are are geographically, culturally, and economically distinct. Categorized as East, Middle, and West Tennessee, these regions are represented by the three white stars on the state flag. The three stars are enclosed within a blue circle representing the unity of the three divisions. Also staged within the circle are three rivers representing the Tennessee River, the Cumberland River, and the Mississippi River, symbolizing the importance the river trade was once to the state of Tennessee’s economy. The roman numeral ‘XVI’ signifies Tennessee’s admission into the union as the sixteenth state.