The Tanasa (called Taensa by the French and Tenesaw by the Alabama Creeks) were also on the Upper Tennessee River on Hiwassee Island. The town of Tanasa-ke O'lamikko (Capital of the Tanasa People) was visited by both de Soto and de Pardo. The Castilians called the town Tanasque Olamico. In the late 1600s the Colony of South Carolina sent a diplomatic mission to the Tanasa in order to open up trade relations. At this time, the area that the Unicoi Trail passed through in the Georgia and North Carolina mountains was occupied by Creek communities. Therefore, the South Carolinians used Creek guides. The Tanasa satellite villages along the Tennessee River were called Tanasi (or Tanasee) meaning Children of Tanasa. The Creeks used their version of the word, Tenesi or Tenesee. Their names for towns in the Southern Highlands were what was recorded on the first map of the Southern Highlands produced by the colonial government. Hence we have the origin of the name of the Tennessee River and the State of Tennessee. The Little Tennessee River starts in the NE corner of Georgia and then flows through the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains to join the Tennessee near Loudon, TN. At that time, it was labeled the Tahlako or Talako River (Bean River) probably from the name of a major town on the river. When occupied by the Cherokees a few years later, it became known either as the Tahlaqua or Tellico River. This is the origin of the name of the Cherokee capital in Oklahoma - Tahlequah Richard T. **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017 )