Geography of Georgia

1. Geography of Georgia Locations, Regions, Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee & Savannah Rivers, Barrier Islands, Climate, Importance of Georgia’s deep water ports, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Major Interstate Highways, and Rail Roads.

2. Georgia’s Location • Northern & Western Hemispheres • North America • United States • South • South Eastern States • Georgia

3. 5 Regions of Georgia • Coastal Plain • Piedmont • Appalachian Plateau • Ridge & Valley • Blue Ridge

4. Coastal Plain • Covers all of GA south of the Fall Line, 60% of the state • Navel Stores, Pine Tree Products, Seafood Industry along coast • Phosphate, fuller’s earth, limestone, kaolin, bauxite • 54’ – 77’

5. Coastal Plain • Fall Line is interior boundary, and the Atlantic Ocean is the southeastern boundary. • River travel is possible to Fall Line. • Flat, low relief; no steep hills or rocks, some wetlands; clay, sand, and limestone soil. • Pine Barrens and Okefenokee Swamp found here. Peanuts, Peaches, Pecans

6. Piedmont • Located between Coastal Plain and mountain in north; 30% of state • Rolling hills and valleys; areas of solid rock; red clay soil; many streams and rivers cross the region

7. Piedmont Industries • Cotton, soybeans, wheat, beef and dairy cattle, poultry, pine trees. • Industrial/business center of state • Granite, feldspar, mica, gold, marble

8. Ridge & Valley Appalachian Plateau • Located in NW GA between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Plateau • Low parallel ridges of sandstone overlooking valleys; elevation between 700 – 1600 feet above sea level. • Corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, hardwoods, and pine. • Textile industries • Smallest region; in the far NW corner of GA • Flat or gently sloping land with high relief over valleys. Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain are here. • Small amount of corn and soybeans grown here; hardwoods and pasture land • Iron and Coal

9. Blue Ridge • Located in northeast GA • Mountainous; high amount of rainfall; • Numerous rivers start here (Chattahoochee); short growing season. • Brasstown Bald • Appalachian Trail • Apples, corn, vegetables, hardwood timber, such as oak and hickory • Feldspar, mica, gold, marble

10. Fall Line • River travel is possible to Fall Line. • Elevation drops at the Fall Line causing rivers to pick up speed. • First industries developed along the Fall Line for hydroelectric power.

11. Okefenokee Swamp • Wetlands and swamp in South Georgia. • Largest freshwater wetland in the state. • Provides a unique nature preserve for alligators, snakes, armadillos, frogs, etc.

12. Appalachian Mountains • Served as a natural barrier for settlement in Georgia’s early days. • Higher in elevation. • Provides a tourism industry.

13. Chattahoochee & Savannah Rivers • Chattahoochee is the Western border for Georgia. • Savannah is the Eastern border for Georgia. • Much of our water is carried by the Chattahoochee. • Settlement in Georgia began on the Savannah River.

14. Barrier Islands • Chain of 9 coastal islands along Georgia’s coast with the Atlantic Ocean. • Serves Industry with deep water ports, tourism and seafood. • Provides a barrier for the coast, a unique ecosystem. • Provides a national wildlife sanctuary on Cumberland Island.

15. Georgia’s Climate • Mild climate attracts business and citizens to settle in Georgia. • Mild winters, average rainfall make agriculture a major industry in GA. • Climate has also attracted many military training centers.

16. Georgia’s Transportation Systems • Deep Water Ports of Savannah and Brunswick • Extensive Rail Network • Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport • Major Interstates of 75, 85, 20, 95

17. Georgia’s Transportation Systems: What do they do for us? • Link Georgia with National and International Markets • Georgia companies such as Home Depot, Delta, Chick-Fila, Georgia Pacific, Coca-Cola and UPS call GA home & utilize our transportation systems for their successful businesses. • Jobs for Georgians – maintaining facilities, economy surrounding the transportation systems.