Where in the World is Georgia?

The United States

Geography of Georgia

Region – An area of land that shares common characteristics with itself but whose characteristics are different than other surrounding areas.Nation – Political division of land; also known as a country.Continent – One of the seven large areas of land that cover the surface of the Earth. The seven continents are: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.Hemispheres – Half of the earth. Refers to the halves of the earth formed by the Equator (northern and southern) and the Prime Meridian (eastern and western).

Longitude (Meridians)

Lines that measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian

Latitude (Parallels)Lines that measure distance north or south of the Equator

Think (“Rungs on a ladder”—Laddertude) OR (“Lat lays flat”)

Equator

0 degrees Latitude

The starting point for measuring north or south

Prime Meridian

0 degrees Longitude

The starting point for measuring east or west

CoordinatesA set of global measurements identifying an exact location

Latitude & Longitude

Cardinal Directions

North, South, East, and West

Intermediate Directions

Measurements between the cardinal directions.

Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest

Absolute Location

Identifies a precise position on Earth’s surface.

32.9605° N, 83.1132° W

Georgia, Coordinates

Relative Location

Describes where a place is located with other places.

Dalton is located about 89 miles NW of Atlanta.

The 5 Major Physiographic Regions

Appalachian Plateau

Appalachian PlateauSmallest RegionFar northwest corner A maze of limestone, deep canyons, and interesting rock formationsTAG CornerSometimes referred to the Cumberland Plateau

Most scenic but less traveledContains the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military ParkBeginning of the Appalachian Trail

Blue Ridge

Blue RidgeKnown for its rugged beautyAbout 2000 square milesHighest and largest groups of mountainsThe first barrier to warm, moist air rising from the Gulf of Mexico

Precipitation can exceed 80 inches a yearBrasstown Bald is located hereLandmarks include Tallulah Gorge and the alpine community of Helen

Ridge and Valley

Ridge and ValleyLow open valleys and narrow ridgesFlat fertile farmlands with fields of grain, pastures for cattle and rows of apple orchardsElevation ranges from 700 to 1600 feet above sea level

Known for its industry, particularly textile and carpet manufacturingDalton, known as the “carpet capital of the world”

Piedmont

PiedmontBegins in the mountain foothills of northern GeorgiaGently sloping hills and valleys in the north and flatlands in the south“heartland” of the state

Means “foot of the mountain”Granite-based landform makes up about a third of the stateOther type of soil: “red” clay½ of the state’s populationCotton belt of antebellum daysBusiness and industry flourishDensely populated

Coastal Plain

Coastal Plain

Largest: occupies 3/5 of state

Inner Coastal:Mild climate & good supply of underground water

Soil: limestone to clay

Vidalia Upland: onions

Dougherty Plain: peanuts, corn, & pecans

Outer Coastal:Does not have drained soil nor fertile farmlandsCenter of naval stores & pulp productionFlat and in some areas swampy or marshyOkefenokee SwampBarrier islands2/3 of barrier islands’ land remain wilderness sanctuaries

The Appalachian Mountains

Very large mountain range which runs over 1,500 miles from eastern Canada to central Alabama.The southernmost part of the Appalachian Mountain chain is called the Blue Ridge Mountains. Close to 100 miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains extend into north Georgia.These mountains form the first barrier to warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. The cool mountain air causes the moisture in the air to condense and fall to the earth as precipitation (rain, snow, etc.). This precipitation forms the basis of many of Georgia’s rivers.

Appalachian Mountains

Chattahoochee River

Begins in the Blue Ridge Region and flows southwest toward Alabama and into the Gulf of Mexico.It forms Georgia’s western boundary with Alabama. The river is a fast moving creek north of the Fall Line and can not be used for boat travel most of the year. The river flattens out and slows down south of the Fall Line and can be used for transportation. After World War I the Chattahoochee’s fast moving water was used to create hydroelectric power through dams. Provides most of the drinking water for the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Chattahoochee River

Savannah RiverNatural boundary between Georgia and South Carolina.

Begins at Lake Hartwell and flows southeast toward the city of Savannah before emptying in the Atlantic Ocean.

Also used as a source for hydroelectric power.

Provides most of the drinking water for Augusta and Savannah.

Savannah River

Rivers

• Chatahoochee

• Savannah

• Flint

• Ocmulgee

• Oconee

• Altamaha

• Ogeechee

Why are the Savannah/Chattahoochee Rivers Important

Drinking water

Hydroelectric power

Travel/transportation/Trade

The Fall LineLocated where the hilly or mountainous lands of the Piedmont region meet the coastal plain region.

Runs from Columbus (west) through Macon to Augusta (east)

Many waterfalls caused by water from the hills cutting channels into the softer soil of the plains

Fall Line waterfalls provide power source for several Georgia communities

7 Natural Wonders of GA

Amicalola Falls

Providence Canyon

Radium Springs

Warm Springs

Stone Mountain

Tallulah Gorge

7th Wonder: Okefenokee SwampNamed for the Seminole Indian word which means “land of the trembling Earth”Largest swamp in North America (About 681 square miles)Freshwater (not salt water) wetlandLocated south of Waycross (Charlton, Ware, Brantley and Clinch)Home to more than 400 species of animalsWater lies close to the surfacePresident Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge which protected land and stopped logging companies from cutting down the large, old trees.

Barrier IslandsAlso known as the Golden Isles (Spanish explorers called the islands “Islands of Gold).Form a barrier between Georgia’s mainland coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Helps to protect Georgia’s mainland coast form strong winds, waves and ocean currents. Important to the state’s tourism. Many people visit the beaches and resortsJekyll, Sea Island, St. Simons, and Tybee Islands are all connected to the mainland by bridges but others can be reached by boats. Today, the islands are mainly tourist and recreation destinations though the fishing and paper industries are still important economic enterprises.

Barrier Islands

Georgia has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, though the mountainous areas tend to be cooler than that of the rest of the

state. Georgia usually has a large amount of precipitation throughout the year and ranges from 45

to 75 inches per year depending on the area, but receives very little snow fall.

Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains receives a significant amount of rainfall because of the warm air

from the Gulf of Mexico becoming trapped by the high altitude of the cool mountains.

Georgia is prone to tornadoes and often feels the effects of hurricanes, though the state has not been hit directly since 1898. Georgia’s warm, wet, climate has

made it an ideal location for agriculture. From its beginning, Georgia was established for growing crops.

Georgia’s relatively mild climate has brought many people and businesses to the state, making it the 9th

most populous in the nation.