Facts over Georgia
State: Georgia
Abbreviation: GA
Capital: Atlanta
State Since: January 2, 1788
Area Codes: 229, 404, 478, 678, 706, 770, 912
Bird: Brown Thrasher
Flower: Cherokee Rose
Largest City: Atlanta
Motto: Wisdom, justice, and moderation
Nickname: Peach State
Population: 8,186.453
Song: Georgia on my Mind
Tree: Live Oak
Time Zone: -5
Adjacent States:
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Florida
Georgia Travel Information
Georgia (Dutch, obsolete: Georgia) is one of the states of the United States. The standard abbreviation for “The Peach State”, as it is nicknamed, is GA. The capital is Atlanta. For fun ideas from the locals, check out Ask a Local!
History
Before European colonization, the area now called Georgia was populated by Indian tribes such as the Cherokee. The first European to spot the state may have been Spaniard Juan Ponce de León, who explored the Florida coast by ship. In 1526 Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon attempted to establish a colony there, possibly near what is now St. Catherine’s Island. The Spanish explorers afterwards left a trail of destruction.
In the 18th century, despite Spanish rule over neighboring Florida, the English held a firm grip on Georgia. In 1724, the first suggestion was made to give the area its current name, in honor of King George. On February 1, 1733, the first settlers landed in what would later become the city of Savannah.
Georgia was the southernmost of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule (see American Revolution). On January 2, 1788, Georgia became the 4th state of the United States. During the American Civil War, the state sided with the Confederacy. Also in the 20th century, racism and segregation played a major role in Georgia. In the early 1960s, Governor Ernest Vandiver vehemently opposed the admission of black students to the state university.
Geography
The state of Georgia covers 154,077 km², of which 150,132 km² is land. The state is in the Eastern time zone. Georgia is located on the Atlantic Ocean. It borders Tennessee and North Carolina to the north, Alabama to the west, South Carolina to the northeast, and Florida to the south. The northwest belongs to the Appalachians mountain range; the rest of the state is quite flat. The highest point in the state is the summit of Brasstown Bald (1458 m). The main river is the Savannah, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at the city of the same name and defines much of the border with South Carolina.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest marked trails in the United States of America, with a length of more than 3,200 km that passes through 14 states. The route begins in the north of Maine at Mt. Katahdin and ends as far south as Mt. Springer at Georgia State. You will pass through the following states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. In total, this trail passes through two national parks and eight national forests or primeval forests.
In order to cover the whole track, you have to take about 5 million steps, which sometimes takes you only a few months, but also three quarters of a year. Tens of thousands of people go here every year to test their strength and their ability to survive in the wild. The route completely avoids all metropolises. Every year, about 150 of the most persistent individuals manage to conquer the entire route, other people only choose individual shorter sections of the trail.
Thanks to numerous groups of enthusiasts, the trail is very well maintained. It is cared for not only by individuals, but also by various clubs in the United States led by rangers and volunteers. Since you are literally wandering through the wilderness on the route, you have to take into account almost everything here. With the number of kilometers traveled, the landscape around you changes, but so do the flora and fauna characteristic of individual sections. You can meet a lot of moose and bears here.
On the route, you must also expect that you will often ford rivers, cut through thick bushes or climb steep slopes. Sometimes you will emerge in civilization in the form of a mountain village, where you will have the opportunity to gain strength and replenish supplies. Whoever manages to conquer the entire Appalachian Trail has the experience of a lifetime. For some, this trek is a great challenge, for others it is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
Demography and economy
In 2000 Georgia had 8,186,453 inhabitants (53 per km²). The gross product of the state was $275 billion in 1999. Capital Atlanta is by far the largest city in Georgia. Other cities include Savannah, Macon, Columbus and Augusta.
Atlanta
Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and a must see when you visit the south of the US. In this modern city you will experience a special mix between southern traditions and modern buildings. There are many top attractions such as World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium (one of the largest aquariums in the world) and many historical museums. Atlanta was the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr. and an important place from the American Civil War.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Looking for nature and adventure? Then visit the Blue Ridge Mountains. These run through northern Georgia. Beautiful waterfalls, views, adventurous hikes and fun sights alternate.
