Area code 859 serves northern and central Kentucky, including Lexington, Covington, and Richmond. It was created in 1999 from a split with 606. Lexington, home to the University of Kentucky and known as the "Horse Capital of the World," anchors the region. The area also includes parts of Kentucky’s portion of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Seven-digit dialing is still permitted locally. Area code 859 is a point of pride for Kentuckians and often represents the state’s academic, equestrian, and cultural heart.