Georgia General information and history A state is

Georgia

General information and history

A state is located in the southeastern United States

It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies Named after King George II of Great Britain, Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788.

Georgia is the 24th most extensive and the 9th most populous of the 50 United States. From 2007 to 2008, 14 of Georgia's counties ranked among the nation's 100 fastest-growing. In 2007, Georgia had an estimated population of 9,544,750 which was an increase of 180,809 from the previous year, and an increase of 1,177,125 since 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 438,939 people (that is 849,414 births minus 410,475 deaths) and an increase from net migration of 606,673 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 228,415 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 378,258 people.

Georgia is known as the Peach State and the Empire State of the South.

Atlanta is the state's capital and its most populous city. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest in the U.S.

Georgia is bordered on the south by Florida; on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and South Carolina; on the west by Alabama; and on the north by Tennessee and North Carolina.

The northern part of the state is in the Blue Ridge Mountains The highest point in Georgia is Brasstown Bald, 4,784 feet (1,458 m);

The current flag of the U.S. state of Georgia was adopted on May 8, 2003. The words of the state motto, "Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation"

Prior to discovery and settlement by Europeans, Georgia was inhabited by the mound building cultures. Georgia was originally formed into a trustee colony of England and was claimed and named for King George II. In 1742 the colony was invaded by the Spanish during the War of Jenkins' Ear.

Province of Georgia was one of the Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution by signing the 1776 Declaration of Independence. After the war, Georgia became the fourth state of the Union after ratifying the Constitution on 2 January 1788.

In 1829, gold was discovered in the north Georgia mountains, resulting in the Georgia Gold Rush leading to the establishment of a federal mint in Dahlonega that continued operation until 1861.

The influx of white settlers put pressure on the government to take land from the Cherokee Nation. By 1830, the Indian Removal Act was signed into law, of 1830, sending all eastern native tribes to reservations in present-day Oklahoma.

In early 1861, Georgia joined the Confederacy and became a major theater of the Civil War. Major battles took place at Chickamauga,Kennesaw Mountain, and Atlanta. In 1870, following reconstruction, Georgia became the last Confederate restored to the Union.

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864

Industry

The largest state in the southeast, Georgia is typical of the changing South with an ever-increasing industrial development.

Atlanta, largest city in the state, is the communications and transportation center for the Southeast and the area's chief distributor of goods.

Georgia leads the nation in the production of paper and board, tufted textile products, and processed chicken.

Other major manufactured products are transportation equipment, food products, apparel, and chemicals.

Important agricultural products are corn, cotton, tobacco, soybeans, eggs, and peaches.

Principal tourist attractions in Georgia include the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Andersonville Prison Park and National Cemetery, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the Little White House at Warm Springs where Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt died in 1945, Sea Island, the enormous Confederate Memorial at Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, and Cumberland Island National Seashore.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Native Americans

Apalachee Indians The Cherokee Indians The Hitchiti, Oconee and Miccosukee Indians The Muskogee Creek Indians The Timucua Indians The Yamasee and Guale Indians

Climate

a humid subtropical climate with most of the state having mild winters and hot summers

Precipitation from 45 inches (1,100 mm) in central Georgia to approximately 75 inches (1,900 mm)

Winter freezing rain - or rain which freezes upon contact with the ground - which is 2 inches (5.1 cm) Spring highly variable with temperatures ranging between 75 °F (24 °C) and 40 °F (4 °C)

Summer hot and humid with temperatures in the afternoons that reach, on average, to near 90 °F (32 °C) Fall sunny and cool; “Indian Summer" weather with temperatures that are near 78 °F (26 °C) during the daytime.

Natural disasters Georgia regularly faces many types of natural disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms, wildfires and floods.

Over the past 50 years, more than 1,220 tornadoes were reported in Georgia, including 68 in 2009. While tornadoes have occurred in every month of the year in Georgia, the months of March, April and May are the most active period for tornado activity in the state.

The most common types of natural disasters in Georgia are thunderstorms that can cause widespread damage, crippling communities across the state.

Georgia is vulnerable to storms and hurricanes that form in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Things to see and do in Georgia

The Sculpture On Stone Mountain:

The Sculpture On Stone Mountain: It`s the famous sculpture on the side of Georgia's Stone Mountain, the largest exposed chunk of granite in the world. Stone Mountain is located just 16 miles east of Atlanta, so it's an easy drive whenever you're in town. Prior to becoming a tourist attraction, Stone Mountain's granite was mined for use in numerous construction projects including Washington's U.S. Capitol Building, the national gold depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky and the locks of the Panama Canal. The Stone Mountain sculpture depicts the Confederate Civil War heroes President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and General "Stonewall" Jackson on horseback. At an amazing 90 feet high and 190 feet wide, it is quite an imposing figure!

Georgia Aquarium:

Located in downtown Atlanta across from Centennial Olympic Park, the brand new Georgia Aquarium is the largest indoor aquarium in the world. It boasts an impressive 8 million gallons and 505,000 sq ft, and features more than 100,000 freshwater and saltwater fish and mammals representing 500 species from around the globe, divided into 60 different habitats. The largest one holds over 6 million gallons of water and was specially designed to house whale sharks alongside tens of thousands of other coral reef and open ocean creatures. Another striking feature of the aquarium is its 30m (100ft) long tunnel, one of the largest aquarium windows in the world with views into whale shark habitat. The second largest habitat (800,000 gallons) was specially designed to simulate the natural habitat of beluga whales.

Tybee Island

Tybee Island featuring sands, fishing piers and a marine science centre attracts a great number of tourists. The city is also home to the celebrated Savannah Jazz Festival in September. Like other nearby islands, Tybee is interlaced with small rivers and estuaries supporting a diverse eco-system, attracting migratory birds, turtles, dolphins, and other animals. The beach at Tybee Island GA offers the largest number of things to do outdoors. Deep-sea fishing charters can be arranged at the piers and fishing outlets adjacent to the beach. Dolphin tours are another big attraction. Several piers, beachfront pavilions, and a wide, sandy coast create an ideal setting for exploring the waterfront, fishing, and crabbing.

At less than three square miles, Tybee Island is one of the easiest places in Georgia to see by foot or bicycle. Peaceful streets and designated cycling paths encourage visitors to explore island neighborhoods. Kayaking excursions are another popular activity and a great way to see how the island ties together. Adjacent Little Tybee Island is the main destination and only accessed by boat. Natural sand dunes, salt marshes, live oak, palm, and pines forests, and a range of wildlife are the rewards of exploring independently or via guided tours.

The Little White House

The Little White House in the Warm Springs Historic District in Warm Springs, Georgia, was Franklin Delano Roosevelt's personal retreat. He first came to Warm Springs for treatment of his paralytic illness, and liked the area so much that, as Governor of New York, he had a home built on nearby Pine Mountain. The house was finished in 1932. Roosevelt kept the house after he became President, using it as a Presidential retreat. The Little White House was the site of President Roosevelt's death. The house was opened to the public as a museum in 1948. A major attraction of the museum is the portrait that artist Elizabeth Shoumatoff was painting of him when he died, now known as the "Unfinished Portrait." It hangs near a finished portrait that Shoumatoff completed later from sketches and memory.

Little White House Historic Site is operated by the State of Georgia and is also known as Roosevelt's Little White House Historic Site. Roosevelt would use the Little White House as a base to replace Georgia politicians that refused to follow his policies. This was most notable in 1938 when Roosevelt tried and failed to have United States Senator Walter George replaced with a Roosevelt loyalist, even though both were Democrats. Most of Roosevelt's property was willed to Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, who gained control of all the properties in 1948 except for the Georgia Wilkins Cottage, which Wilkins lived in until her 1959 death. Both John F. Kennedy in 1960 and Jimmy Carter in 1976 used the property for their campaigns to become president; Carter even launched his campaign there.

Today the Little White House is part of Georgia's state park system and is open to visitors; it’s been preserved to look almost exactly as it did the day FDR died. Items on display at the facility, besides the Unfinished Portrait, include his customized 1938 Ford convertible (in the bottom floor of the garage/servant house) and his stagecoach. Travel to the Pine Mountain area (www.pinemountain.org), noted for its Callaway Gardens and for President Franklin D Roosevelt's Little White House at Warm Springs.

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is the home of thousands of animals representing hundreds of rare species, the zoo and the aquarium was founded in 1889, and since the establishment of this zoo became popular Atlanta attractions. Zoo Atlanta is the largest home for rare animals from several countries, such as from African and Asian forests, in this place you will see a giant panda, black rhino, elephant, lion, ostrich, and gorillas, which are now almost extinct. displayed as in the original habitat, but you still safe to take a closer look, besides as a proliferation of animals, this zoo also offers some facilities for visitors, like a playground, restaurants, places of education, and several events aimed at visitors.

Little St. Simons Island Little

St. Simons Island prized for its unbothered natural beauty, gracious hospitality and secluded worlds-away appeal, Little St. Simons Island is a private barrier island just off the Georgia coast. The natural world presides here across 10,000 intrusion-free acres of maritime forests and marshlands, enjoyed by no more than 32 overnight guests at a time. Seven miles of shell-strewn beaches and energizing outdoor activities beckon guests to explore and discover. Accessible only by boat, this extraordinary natural sanctuary–among the last of its kind anywhere – welcomes your discovery.

Wine and tourism: Dahlonega

In recent years, and Lumpkin County have been recognized as "the heart of Georgia Wine Country." The county features five vineyards and wineries that attract many tourists. The historic Dahlonega Square is also a popular tourist destination, with gift shops, restaurants, art galleries and artists' studios. The city's local festivals draw many tourists. "Bear on the Square", an annual three-day festival held the third weekend in April, marks the day that a black bear wandered onto the square. It features bluegrass and old-time music. It celebrates the culture of the Southern Appalachians with a juried artists' market and other activities. "Gold Rush Days", an annual two-day event the third weekend in October, attracts over 200,000 people.

Famous Georgians

Juliette Gordon Low(1860-1927)

Born in Savannah, Low is the Founder of the Girl Scouts of America. Influence by Boy Scouts Founder Robert Baden-Powel of England, Juliette began the Girl Scouts of America in 1912 with just 8 girls. She not only taught skills necessary for homemaking but the outdoor skills taught to the boys. By 1920 there were nearly 42,000 girl scouts.

Martin Luther King Jr.

(1929-1968) -This Atlanta native is known for his leadership of the Civil Rights movement. He worked to break the bonds of discrimination and injustice to minority groups. In 1957, King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to fight segregation through peaceful protest. Despite his push for peace, King was met with much violent oppression. His most famous speech – “I have a dream” was given at the Lincoln Memorial, to 200,000 people. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in non-violent black equality.

Jimmy Carter

(1924 - ) -Born in Plains, GA, he became the 39th President in 1976. Before his election President Carter served in the Georgia Senate and as Governor. During his Presidential term he improved relations between Egypt and Israel, and built America’s Connections with Russia. However, on the home front, the economy struggled. After leaving office in 1980, President Carter has continued to help with foreign negotiations and works relentlessly with Habitat for Humanity. He is also the author of more than a dozen books.

Georgia is the birth place of a number of musicians whose vocals talents range from blues and rock to country and opera. Blues Singers: Willie McTell (1901-1959) Ma Rainey (1886-1939)

Georgians are huge sports fans and Georgia has been the birthplace of many athletes. Jim Brown (1936-) Ty Cobb (1886-1961) – Baseball player for Detroit Bobby Jones (1902-1971) - Considered by many to be the greatest golfer ever.

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