Area code 859 serves northern and central Kentucky, including cities such as Lexington, Covington, Richmond, and Florence. It was created in 1999 from a split of area code 606 to accommodate the growing population and telecommunications needs in this region. Lexington, the second-largest city in Kentucky and a major center for education and equine industries, anchors the 859 area. The code also serves parts of the Northern Kentucky suburbs of Cincinnati, making it a critical region for cross-border commerce and commuting. 859 has developed its own identity distinct from Louisville's 502 and Eastern Kentucky's 606. It remains a standalone area code and is often associated with the Bluegrass region and the University of Kentucky.