Georgia
Geography
Imagine being surrounded by a million peach trees. The sweet smell fills the air. That's what Georgia is like. If one likes peaches, Georgia is the place to be. This state has fairly warm temperatures and various land regions. One can visit mountains so high one can see many states. There are also many unique geographical places that one can visit all over Georgia.
Basic Facts
​
Georgia is a medium sized state with a large population. Georgia is located in the southeast region of the United States bordering Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Alabama. Georgia covers 58,922 square miles (152,607 in square kilometers) and is the twenty first largest state. Georgia is ranked ninth in state population, being home to 9,687,653 people. The state capital of Georgia is Atlanta which is located in the Piedmont region. There are 420,003 people living in Atlanta. Two major cities in Georgia are Columbus and Savannah. Savannah is located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of Georgia, and Columbus is in the East Gulf Coastal Plain region of Georgia. The population of Savannah is 136,286 and 189,885 in Columbus.
Climate
​
Georgia has a mild climate which means that it is often warm and breezy. The highest recorded temperature of 112 °F (44 °C), occurred at Louisville on July 24, 1952 at Greenville on August 20, 1983. The lowest temperature ever recorded occurred in Floyd County on January 27, 1940. This record breaking temperature was -17 °F. The temperatures in the winter average 51 °F (11 °C) in the south and 41 °F (5 °C) in the north, and the temperatures in the summer average is 82 °F (28 °C) in the south, while temperatures in the north average 78 °F (26 °C). Georgia's precipitation (rain, melted snow, and other forms of moisture) averages fifty inches (127 centimeters) a year. About one inch (2.5 centimeters) of snow falls yearly. The northern part of Georgia is the rainiest part of the state. Georgia has a mild climate; it has warm, humid summers and short winters. Although the mountainous north has cool summers and fairly cold winters.
Land
forms
The highest elevation in Georgia is Brasstown Bald Mountain. Brasstown Bald Mountain is 4,784 ft (1,458 m) above sea level. If one reaches the top of it then they will can see Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also at the top of Brasstown Bald Mountain there is an information center and an observation deck.
The two major mountain ranges in Georgia are the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains are the second largest mountain system in North America, and the Appalachians extend 1,500 miles (2,400 km) between Gaspe Peninsula and Birmingham. This mountain range was formed between 435 million and 250 million years ago; they are the oldest mountains in North America. The name Appalachian come from the Apalachee Indians. The Appalachian Valley includes agricultural & recreational regions; it has a great source of mineral deposits.
The Blue Ridge Mountains extend across Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The Blue Ridge Mountains twelve to forteen miles (19 to 23 kilometers) wide, and it rises 6,684 feet (2,037 meters) above sea level. The name comes from the blue tone that the forested slopes have seen at a distance.
The largest rivers in Georgia are the Savannah River, Suwannee River, Chattahoochee River, Ocmulgee River, and the Oconee River, but the two largest are the Savannah River and the Suwannee River. The Savannah River extends through the Piedmont Region, the Blue Ridge Region, and the Atlantic Coastal Plain Region, and it is 341 miles (549 kilometers)long. The waterway a forms large part of border in Georgia and in South Carolina. Several small streams unite forming the mainstream. The Savannah rises near southern boundary of North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. This river flows southeast and empties into Atlantic Ocean.
The Suwannee River only extends through the Atlantic Coastal Plain Region and is only 190 miles (306 kilometers) long. This river winds through southern Georgia and northern Florida and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Stephen Foster named the Swanee River; he made a famous song about it called Old Folks at Home.
The Atlantic Ocean is the only ocean touching Georgia. This ocean is to the east of Georgia. The Atlantic covered most of Georgia about 70 millions years ago. The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest Ocean in the world covering 26% of earth’s ocean area and 17% of earth’s total surface area. This ocean contains many special habitats for marine life making it a rich source of seafood.
One of the most famous popular swamps in Georgia is the Okefenokee Swamp. The name comes from the Indian word Owaquapheno which means trembling earth. Okefenokee Swamp covers 700 square miles (1,800 square kilometers) of Georgia, and stretches from Georgia to Florida. This swamp was once a favorite hunting ground of the Creek and Seminole Indians. The United States government has owned it since 1937; the government set aside about 630 square miles (1,630 square kilometers) of region and turned it into a National Wildlife Refuge.
The Fall Line is very popular. Many cities are found on the Fall Line. This famous line has a series of waterfalls that stretches from Alabama to New York. The Fall Line is a great source of electric power that can be used to turn turbines to generate electricity.
Land Regions
Atlantic coastal Plain
The Atlantic Coastal Plain is the place to be if one likes the ocean and fertile land. The Coast has a fertile and well-populated coastal plain that lies along the eastern shore of North America from Canada to Florida. A zone called the Fall Line divides this low plain from the higher plateau known as the Piedmont. Along the Fall Line, waterfalls and rapids tumble from the plateau to the plain.
Piedmont
​
The Piedmont land region is a wide belt of hilly and rolling land that lies along the northern edge of the central and southern Appalachians. This reaches across most of the northern half of Georgia, just south of the Appalachian areas. The Piedmont is 1,500 feet (457 meters) above sea level.
East Gulf Plain
​
The East Gulf Coastal Plain has a flat surface that resembles the Atlantic Coastal Plain, but it has much richer soils and more land in crops. Soybeans, peanuts, and tobacco are its leading crops. The rivers draining the region flow to the Gulf of Mexico.
Blue Ridge
​
The Blue Ridge region’s peaks vary from 2,000 to nearly 5,000 feet (610 to nearly 1,500 meters) above sea level. Hardwoods and pine trees cover the slopes of these mountains. The region's rivers provide much of the state's hydroelectric power.
Appalachian Ridge and Valley
The Appalachian Ridge and Valley region has several broad, fertile valleys separated by long, parallel ridges of sandstone rocks. Pine and hardwood forests once covered these valleys. Today, the rich soils produces fruits, grains, and vegetables; though, much of the area is still forested.
​
Appalachian Plate
​
The Appalachian Plateau covers the northwestern corner of Georgia. The narrow valleys separate wooded ridges on the plateau. Thin, sandy soil makes this region the state's poorest farming area. The Appalachian Plateau is 1,800 to 2,000 feet ( 550 to 610 meters) above sea level.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Georgia is a beautiful state with mild temperatures, varied land regions, unique geographical places, and mountains so tall you can see other states. The views from the highest peaks are told to be breathtaking. There are many hopes of Georgia to remain as beautiful as it is, and to grow as a state. Come visit Georgia today!