Georgia

The Peach State

Georgia Flag

Basic Information

Georgia, located in the southeastern United States, is known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture.

Capital

  • Atlanta

Largest City

  • Atlanta

Area

  • 59,425 sq mi

Population

  • 10,711,908 (2020)

Demographics

Georgia's population is diverse, with a mix of urban and rural communities and significant cultural influences.

Ethnic Composition

  • White:57.8%
  • African American:32.6%
  • Hispanic:10.5%
  • Asian:4.1%
  • Native American:0.3%

Languages

  • English:87.3%
  • Spanish:8.5%
  • Other:4.2%

Age Distribution

  • Under 18:24.3%
  • 18-64:61.9%
  • 65+:13.8%

Population Growth

  • Annual Rate:1.1%
  • Natural Increase:70,000
  • Migration:40,000

Economy

Georgia's economy is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and the film industry.

GDP

  • $650 billion (2022)

Major Industries

  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Logistics
  • Film and Television
  • Technology
  • Healthcare

Employment Rate

  • Employed:96.0%
  • Unemployment:4.0%

Major Companies

  • Coca-Cola
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Home Depot
  • UPS
  • Aflac
  • Southern Company
  • Chick-fil-A

Key Ports

  • Port of Savannah
  • Port of Brunswick

Climate

Georgia has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.

Seasons

  • Summer:Hot and humid (avg. 90°F)
  • Winter:Mild (avg. 50°F)
  • Spring/Fall:Warm

Rainfall

  • 45-55 inches/year

Hurricanes

  • Occasional impact from Atlantic hurricanes

Visiting Georgia

Georgia offers a mix of historical sites, cultural attractions, and natural beauty.

Best Time to Visit

  • Spring/Fall:Mild temperatures and outdoor activities
  • Summer:Festivals and events

Transportation

  • Major Airports:Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Train Routes:Amtrak Crescent
  • Highway System:Interstate 75, Interstate 85, Interstate 20

Accommodation

  • Hotels:Various options in cities and resorts
  • Bed & Breakfasts:Historic options in Savannah and other towns
  • Average Hotel Rate:$120-$200/night

Tourist Information

  • Visitor Centers:Located throughout the state
  • Tourism Website:Explore Georgia
  • Info Hotline:1-800-VISIT-GA

Popular Attractions

Georgia's attractions range from historical landmarks to natural wonders and cultural institutions.

Historical Sites

  • Savannah Historic District
  • Andersonville National Historic Site
  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
  • Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

Museums & Culture

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • High Museum of Art
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Outdoor Attractions

  • Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
  • Stone Mountain Park
  • Okefenokee Swamp
  • Amicalola Falls State Park

Urban Attractions

  • Downtown Atlanta
  • Midtown Atlanta
  • Savannah's River Street
  • Athens' music scene

History

Georgia's history is marked by early Native American settlements, colonial development, and its role in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement.

Early History

  • Native American Tribes:Cherokee, Creek
  • Spanish Exploration:16th century
  • English Settlement:1733 (James Oglethorpe)
  • Colonial Georgia:1732-1776

Colonial Era

  • Trustee Colony:1732-1752
  • Royal Colony:1752-1776
  • American Revolution:Significant battles and events

19th Century

  • Statehood:1788
  • Antebellum Period:Growth of plantations and slavery
  • Civil War:Major battles and Sherman's March to the Sea
  • Reconstruction:Social and political changes

20th Century

  • Industrialization:Growth of Atlanta and other cities
  • Civil Rights Movement:Significant events and leaders
  • World War II:Military bases and industrial contributions
  • Modernization:Economic and social changes

Recent History

  • Growth of Atlanta:Urban development and economic expansion
  • Film Industry:Rise of "Y'allywood"
  • Political Influence:Key role in national elections
  • Environmental Conservation:Efforts to protect natural resources

State Symbols

Georgia has adopted various official state symbols that represent its natural and cultural heritage.

State Animals

  • State Bird:
    Brown Thrasher
  • State Fish:
    Largemouth Bass
  • State Insect:
    Honeybee
  • State Marine Mammal:
    Right Whale

State Plants

  • State Flower:
    Cherokee Rose
  • State Tree:
    Live Oak
  • State Fruit:
    Peach
  • State Vegetable:
    Vidalia Onion

Cultural Symbols

  • State Colors:
    Red, White, and Blue
  • State Song:
    "Georgia on My Mind"
  • State Motto:
    "Wisdom, Justice, Moderation"

Other Symbols

  • State Gemstone:
    Quartz
  • State Fossil:
    Shark Tooth
  • State Crop:
    Peanut

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Georgia that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

  • Highest Point:
    Brasstown Bald (4,784 ft)
  • Longest River:
    Chattahoochee River
  • Largest Lake:
    Lake Lanier
  • Lowest Point:
    Sea level (along the coast)

Records & Rankings

  • Largest state east of the Mississippi River
  • Major hub for transportation and logistics
  • Significant film and television industry
  • Known for its agricultural products

Notable Firsts

  • First public university chartered in the U.S. (University of Georgia)
  • Significant role in the Civil Rights Movement
  • Early development of peanut farming

Unique Features

  • Diverse landscapes, including mountains, swamps, and coastlines
  • Rich cultural heritage with Southern traditions
  • Significant economic and political influence
  • Home to major corporations and industries

Government & Politics

Georgia has a constitutionally mandated structure encompassing Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

  • Brian Kemp (as of 2023)

Legislature

  • Bicameral:State Senate and House of Representatives

Political Trends

  • Historically Democratic, shifting Republican trends

Key Political Issues

  • Economic Development
  • Education Funding
  • Healthcare Access
  • Voting Rights

Major Political Parties

  • Republican Party
  • Democratic Party

Electoral Votes

  • 16

Time Zones

Georgia observes Eastern Time Zone (ET), with daylight saving time observed.

Standard Time

  • Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC -5)

Daylight Saving

  • Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC -4)

Education

Georgia has a public education system that includes K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities.

Major Public Systems

  • University System of Georgia
  • Technical College System of Georgia
  • Atlanta Public Schools

Notable Private Institutions

  • Emory University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
  • Mercer University
  • Agnes Scott College

K-12 System

  • Public school system with local control

Key Educational Initiatives

  • STEM education focus
  • Early childhood education programs
  • Workforce development initiatives

Average Teacher Salary

  • $58,000

Culture & Festivals

Georgia's cultural scene is rich with Southern traditions, music, and festivals celebrating its heritage.

Major Festivals

  • Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade
  • Atlanta Dogwood Festival
  • Macon Cherry Blossom Festival
  • Atlanta Film Festival
  • Bragg Jam (Macon)

Music & Arts

  • Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
  • High Museum of Art
  • Fox Theatre
  • Georgia O'Keeffe Museum (Savannah)
  • Variety Playhouse (Atlanta)
  • 40 Watt Club (Athens)

Cultural Influences

  • Southern traditions and hospitality
  • African American cultural heritage
  • Music genres like blues, country, and hip-hop
  • Film and television industry influences

Food & Drink

  • Southern cuisine (fried chicken, barbecue, collard greens)
  • Peach-based dishes
  • Seafood along the coast
  • Craft breweries and distilleries

Compare States

Discover how Georgia compares to other states across key metrics including population, economy, climate, and more.

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