Other local nicknames include 'River City' and 'Derby City', in addition to the myriad of ways the name can be pronounced, depending on one's accent. Known historically as the 'Gateway to the South', Louisville has long been a transportation center for the region. There are many correct pronunciations of 'Louisville,' from LOOey-vil to LOOuh-vuhl to LU-vul, but pronouncing it like 'Lewisville' is generally considered incorrect.Ī major city located on the Ohio River in North Central Kentucky across from Southern Indiana, Louisville exists at the confluence of Southern and Midwestern attitudes and cultures. Louisville is also the namesake of the Official Bat of Major League Baseball - the Louisville Slugger. Louisville is a large city in Kentucky, with about one and a quarter million people living in the metro area. Louisville is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings - have a look at each of them. For other places with the same name, see Louisville (disambiguation).