Atlanta, Georgia 3138 226181740 2008-07-17T05:25:04Z VengeancePrime 7338550 [[WP:EL|subtract]] {{Redirect|Atlanta}} {{Infobox Settlement <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |official_name = City of Atlanta |settlement_type = [[City]] |nicknames = Hotlanta,<ref>{{cite web | last = Shelton | first = Stacy | title = 'Hotlanta' not steamiest in Georgia this summer | publisher = ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' | date= 2007-09-23 | url = http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2007/09/22/heat_0923.html | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> The A-T-L<ref name=A-T-L/> |motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline = Downtown atlanta night.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = Atlanta Skyline. |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = Seal of Atlanta, Georgia.png |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Fulton_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Atlanta_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location in [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton]] and [[DeKalb County, Georgia|DeKalb]] counties and the state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]] |subdivision_name = [[United States]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Georgia (U.S. state)|Counties]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton]], [[DeKalb County, Georgia|DeKalb]] |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Shirley Franklin]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = Terminus |established_date = 1837 |established_title2 = Marthasville |established_date2 = 1843 |established_title3 = City of Atlanta |established_date3 = 1847<ref name=infoplease/> <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = 1 E8 |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 343.0 |area_land_km2 = 341.2 |area_water_km2 = 1.8 |area_total_sq_mi = 132.4 |area_land_sq_mi = 131.8 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.7 |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = 1962.9 |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = 8376 |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of = 2007 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 519145 |population_density_km2 = 1513.5 |population_density_sq_mi = 3921.0 |population_metro = 5626400 ([[United States metropolitan area|9th Largest]]) |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = 3499840 |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time (North America)|EST]] |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] |utc_offset_DST = -4 |latd = 33 |latm = 45 |lats = 18 |latNS = N |longd = 84 |longm = 23 |longs = 24 |longEW = W |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = 225-320 |elevation_ft = 738-1050 <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |area_code = [[Area code 404|404]], [[Area code 678|678]], [[Area code 770|770]], [[Area code 470|470]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 13-04000{{GR|2}} |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0351615{{GR|3}} ---- |blank2_name = Major Airport |blank2_info = [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]]- ATL (Major/International) |website = [http://www.atlantaga.gov/ atlantaga.gov] |footnotes = }} '''Atlanta''' ({{pron-en|ətˈlæntə}} or {{IPAlink-en|ætˈlæntə}}) is the [[capital]] and the most populous city in the state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and the core city of the ninth most populous metropolitan area in the United States at 5,278,904. It is the [[county seat]] of [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton County]], although a small portion of the city extends into [[DeKalb County, Georgia|DeKalb County]]. As of July 2007, the city of Atlanta had a population of 519,145<ref name="CensusEst07">{{cite web | publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places Over 100,000, Ranked by July 1, 2007 Population | date=[[July 10]] [[2008]] | url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-01.csv | format=[[Comma-separated values]] | accessdate = 2008-07-10 }}</ref>, and a combined statistical area population of 5,626,400<ref name="CensusCSAEst07">{{cite web | publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | title=Combined statistical area population and estimated components of change: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 | date=[[July 10]] [[2008]] | url=http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro_general/2007/CSA-EST2007-alldata.csv | format=[[Comma-separated values]] | accessdate = 2008-07-10 }}</ref>. Residents of the city are known as '''Atlantans'''.{{Fact|date=July 2008|Etymology needed for '''Atlantans''' as that is also a synonym for [[Atlanteans]]}} Despite its large metropolitan population, Atlanta ranks as the [[List of United States cities by population|33rd-largest city]] in the United States, and the sixth-largest city in the [[Southeastern United States|southeastern]] region&nbsp;&ndash; behind [[Jacksonville]], [[Memphis]], [[Charlotte]], [[Louisville]], and [[Nashville]]. The larger populations of the other southeastern cities reflect their city-government boundaries, which range from two to six times in size, and have lesser average population density.<ref>Based on area and population density numbers for the listed cities in 2007, as separately cited in the linked articles.</ref> Atlanta has in recent years undergone a transition from a city of regional commerce to a city of international influence.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Atlanta's International Influence | publisher = Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce | date= 2006-10 | url = http://www.metroatlantachamber.com/images/ht_international.pdf | accessdate = 2007-08-27 }}</ref> Between 2000 and 2006, the metropolitan area grew by 20.5%, making it the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation.<ref>{{cite web | title = Demographia United States Metropolitan Areas 2000-2006 (County Based) | publisher = Demographia | date= 2007-03-23 | url = http://www.demographia.com/db-metmic2004.pdf | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref><ref name="nyt-022500">{{cite news | last=Apple, Jr. | first=R.W. | publisher=[[The New York Times]] | title=ON THE ROAD: A City in Full: Venerable, Impatient Atlanta | date=[[February 25]] [[2000]] | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9C0DE3DF1E30F936A15751C0A9669C8B63 | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> Atlanta is sometimes considered a [[poster child]] for cities worldwide experiencing rapid growth and [[urban sprawl]],<ref name="koolhaas">{{cite book |last=Koolhaas |first=Rem | authorlink=Rem Koolhaas |coauthors=[[Bruce Mau]] |title=[[S,M,L,XL]] |year=1996 |publisher=Monacelli Press |location=[[New York City]] |id=ISBN 1-885254-86-5 }}</ref><ref name="nyt-022500">{{cite news | last=Apple, Jr. | first=R.W. | publisher=[[The New York Times]] | title=ON THE ROAD: A City in Full: Venerable, Impatient Atlanta | date=[[February 25]] [[2000]] | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9C0DE3DF1E30F936A15751C0A9669C8B63 | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> though the city has recently been commended by bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency for its eco-friendly policies.<ref name="EPA">{{cite web | last=Carl | first=Terry | publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency]] | title=EPA Congratulations Atlanta on Smart Growth Success| date=[[November 18]] [[2005]] | url=http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/9f9e145a6a71391a852572a000657b5e/0e30c482fa56b3ac852570d00057768b!OpenDocument | accessdate = 2008-04-15 }}</ref> ==History== {{main|History of Atlanta}} {{see also|Atlanta in the Civil War}} [[Image:Early atlanta indian trails.jpg|thumb|left|A map showing roads and Indian trails circa 1815, with late 19th century Fulton County and City of Atlanta outlines overlaid.]] On [[December 21]], [[1836]] the [[Georgia General Assembly]] voted to build the [[Western and Atlantic Railroad]] to provide a trade route to the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]].<ref name=W&ARR>{{cite web | title = Creation of the Western and Atlantic Railroad | work = About North Georgia | publisher = Golden Ink | url = http://ngeorgia.com/railroads/warr01.html | accessdate = 2007-11-12 }}</ref> Following the [[Trail of Tears|forced removal]] of the [[Cherokee Nation]] between 1838 and 1839 the newly depopulated area was opened for the construction of a railroad. The area around the eastern terminus to the line began to develop first. By 1842, the settlement had six buildings and 30 residents and the town was renamed "Marthasville".<ref name=shorthistory>{{cite web | title = A Short History of Atlanta: 1782-1859 | publisher = CITY-DIRECTORY, Inc. | date = 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.city-book.com/Overview/history/history1.htm | accessdate = 2007-12-01 }}</ref> After a few renames, the Chief Engineer of the Georgia Railroad, [[J. Edgar Thomson]], suggested that the area be renamed "[[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantica]]-[[Pacific Ocean|Pacifica]]", which was quickly shortened to "Atlanta".<ref name=shorthistory/> The residents approved, and the town was incorporated as Atlanta on [[December 29]], [[1847]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ourgeorgiahistory.com/date/December_29|title=Georgia History Timeline Chronology for December&nbsp;29 | publisher = Our Georgia History |accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref> [[Image:Atlanta1864.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Slavery|slave auction]] house on Whitehall Street]] As more railroads were constructed, the town experienced a small boom, reaching 2,500 in population. In 1848, the first mayor was elected, the first homicide occurred and the first jail was built. Sidewalks were constructed and a town marshal appointed. By 1854 another railroad connected Atlanta to [[LaGrange, Georgia|LaGrange]], and the town grew to 7,741 by 1860.<ref>{{cite web | last = Storey | first = Steve | title = Atlanta & West Point Railroad | publisher = Georgia's Railroad History & Heritage | url = http://railga.com/atlwp.html | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Atlanta Old and New: 1848 to 1868 | work = Roadside Georgia | publisher = Golden Ink | url = http://roadsidegeorgia.com/city/atlanta02.html | accessdate = 2007-11-13 }}</ref> During the [[American Civil War]], Atlanta served as an important railroad and military supply hub. In 1864, the city became the target of a [[Atlanta campaign|major Union invasion]]. The area now covered by Atlanta was the scene of several battles, including the [[Battle of Peachtree Creek]], the [[Battle of Atlanta]], and the [[Battle of Ezra Church]]. On [[September 1]], [[1864]], [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] General [[John Bell Hood]] evacuated Atlanta after a four-month siege mounted by Union General [[William Tecumseh Sherman|William T. Sherman]] and ordered all public buildings and possible Confederate assets destroyed. The next day, Mayor [[James Calhoun]] surrendered the city, and on [[September 7]] Sherman ordered the civilian population to evacuate. He then ordered Atlanta burned to the ground on [[November 11]] in preparation for his march south, though he spared the city's churches and hospitals.<ref name=shorthistory2>{{cite web | title = A Short History of Atlanta: 1860-1864 | publisher = CITY-DIRECTORY, Inc. | date= 2007-09-22 | url = http://www.city-book.com/Overview/history/history2.htm | accessdate = 2007-12-01 }}</ref> The rebuilding of the city — immortalized by the [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] and motto "Resurgens" ([[Latin]] for "rising again") on the city seal — was gradual. From 1867 until 1888, U.S. Army soldiers occupied McPherson Barracks in southwest Atlanta to ensure [[Reconstruction era (United States)|Reconstruction era]] reforms. To help the newly freed slaves, the Federal Government's Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Land [Freedmen's Bureau] worked in tandem with a number of freedmen's aid organizations, especially the American Missionary Association (A.M.A.). The A.M.A. established two well-respected black schools by 1866 (Storrs School and Summer Hill School) which became part of the Atlanta public schools in 1872. It also created the Washburn Orphanage to aid homeless children and launched the charter for Atlanta University in 1867, the first of several historically black colleges in Atlanta, in part to begin the training of black teachers. The First Congregational Church of Atlanta was begun as a collaboration between whites, especially Northerners of the A.M.A. and Atlanta's freedmen; today its congregation still celebrates their Reconstruction-era roots. In 1868, Atlanta became the fifth city to serve as the state capital.<ref>{{cite web | last = Jackson | first = Edwin L. | title = The Story of Georgia's Capitols and Capital Cities | publisher = Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia | url = http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/capital.htm#anchor671763 | accessdate = 2007-11-13 }}</ref> [[Henry W. Grady]], the editor of the ''[[Atlanta Constitution]]'', promoted the city to investors as a city of the "New South", one built on a modern economy, less reliant on agriculture. In the 1880s [[Georgia School of Technology]] and Atlanta Hospital were founded.<ref>{{cite web | title = Saint Joseph's: Atlanta's first hospital | publisher = Saint Joseph’s Hospital | url = http://www.stjosephsatlanta.org/about/history.html | accessdate = 2007-11-13 }}</ref> [[Image:Peachtree1907.jpg|thumb|In 1907, Peachtree Street, the main street of Atlanta, was busy with streetcars and automobiles.]] As Atlanta grew, ethnic and racial tensions mounted. The [[Atlanta Race Riot]] of 1906 left at least 27 dead<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1906atlantaraceriot.org/|title=Atlanta Race Riot | publisher= The Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot |accessdate=2006-09-06}}</ref> and over seventy injured. In 1913, [[Leo Frank]], a Jewish supervisor at a factory in Atlanta was put on trial for raping and murdering a thirteen-year old white employee from a suburb of Atlanta, ultimately resulting in Frank's lynching. On December 15, 1939 Atlanta hosted the premiere of [[Gone With the Wind]], the movie based on Atlanta-born [[Margaret Mitchell]]'s best-selling novel. Stars [[Clark Gable]], [[Vivien Leigh]], and [[Olivia de Haviland]] were in attendance. It was held at [[Loew's Grand Theatre]], at Peachtree and Forsyth Streets, current site of the [[Georgia-Pacific]] building. According to the [[Atlanta Constitution]], 300,000 people were on the streets on this ice-cold night. A rousing ovation greeted a group [[Confederate]] veterans who were guests of honor. A young [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]] sang in a boys' choir from his father's church, Ebenezer Baptist.<ref>http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Atlanta_Premiere_of_Gone_With_The_Wind</ref> With the entry of the United States into [[World War II]], soldiers from around the [[Southeastern United States]] went through Atlanta to train and later be discharged at Fort McPherson. War-related manufacturing such as the [[Bell Aircraft]] factory in the suburb of [[Marietta, Georgia|Marietta]] helped boost the city's population and economy. Shortly after the war, the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|Communicable Disease Center]] (CDC) was founded in Atlanta.<ref>{{cite web | title = Commemorating CDC's 60th Anniversary | work = CDC Website | publisher = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | url = http://www.cdc.gov/about/history/60th.htm | accessdate = 2008-04-18 }}</ref> In the wake of the landmark [[U.S. Supreme Court]] decision ''[[Brown v. Board of Education]]'', which helped usher in the [[Civil Rights Movement]], racial tensions in Atlanta began to express themselves in acts of violence. On [[October 12]], [[1958]], [[Bombing of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple|a Reform Jewish temple on Peachtree Street was bombed]]; the synagogue's rabbi, Jacob Rothschild, was an outspoken advocate of integration.<ref>{{cite book | last = Greene | first = Melissa Faye | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = The Temple Bombing | publisher = Da Capo Press | date = 2006 | location = Cambridge, Massachusetts | id = ISBN 9780306815188}}</ref> A group of anti-Semitic white supremacists calling themselves the "Confederate Underground" claimed responsibility. [[Image:Atlanta etc. 019.jpg|thumb|right|Atlanta's [[Inman Park]] neighborhood was the city's first planned suburb. Today, it features several mansions and many colorful restored [[bungalows]].]] In the 1960s, Atlanta was a major organizing center of the [[African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)|Civil Rights Movement]], with [[Martin Luther King|Dr. Martin Luther King]] and students from Atlanta's historically black colleges and universities playing major roles in the movement's leadership. Two of the most important civil rights organizations -- [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference|SCLC]] and [[Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee|SNCC]] -- had their national headquarters in Atlanta. In April 1960 black students published "AN APPEAL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS" condemning segregation and laying the justification for direct action against it. A wave of [[Sit-in#American Civil Rights Movement|sit-ins]] followed resulting in almost 100 arrests.<ref>[http://www.crmvet.org/tim/timhis60.htm#1960atlanta Atlanta Sit-ins] ~ Civil Rights Movement Veterans</ref> On [[October 19]], [[1960]], sit-ins at the lunch counters of several Atlanta department stores led to the arrest of Dr. King and more than 50 students, drawing attention from the national media and from presidential candidate [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite web | last = King, Jr. | first = Martin Luther | authorlink = Martin Luther King, Jr | coauthors = | title = e Biography of Martin Luther Ling, Jr. - Chapter 15 | work = Martin Luther King's Autobiography online | publisher = | date = | url = http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/publications/autobiography/chp_15.htm | format = | accessdate = 2008-01-05}}</ref> Sit-ins and other forms of student-led protests against various forms of segregation at both commercial and public venues such as the City Hall cafeteria and Atlanta airport continued until passage of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]]. Despite these incidents, Atlanta's political and business leaders labored to foster Atlanta's image as "the city too busy to hate". In 1961, Mayor [[Ivan Allen Jr.]] became one of the few Southern white mayors to support desegregation of Atlanta's public schools.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Hornsby | first = Alton | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Black Public Education in Atlanta, Georgia, 1954-1973: From Segregation to Segregation | journal = The Journal of Negro History | volume = 76 | issue = 1 | pages = 21–47 | publisher = Association for the Study of African-American Life and History, Inc. | date = Winter - Autumn, 1991 | id = ISSN 00222992 }}</ref> [[Image:Ab30 (69).jpg|thumb|right|[[Fairlie-Poplar District]]]] The city's progressive civil rights record, growing economy and existing population of blacks made it increasingly popular as a relocation destination for black Americans after 1970 in the [[New Great Migration]]. Blacks demonstrated growing political influence with election of the first African-American mayor in 1973. They became a majority in the city during the late 20th century but suburbanization, rising prices, a booming economy and new migrants have decreased their percentage in the city from a high of 66.8 percent in 1990 to about 54 percent in 2004. New immigrants such as Latinos and Asians are also altering city demographics, in addition to an influx of white residents.<ref name="nyt-031106">{{cite news | publisher=[[The New York Times]] | first=Shaila | last=Dewan | date=[[March 11]] [[2006]] | title=Gentrification Changing Face of New Atlanta | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/11/national/11atlanta.html?ei=5090&en=bf1cb813a14f4341&ex=1299733200&adxnnl=0&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1142054955-6bzVsYXnlCDNwbMJEoswIg&pagewanted=all }}</ref> . In 1990, Atlanta was selected as the site for the Centennial Olympic Games [[1996 Summer Olympics]]. Following the announcement, Atlanta undertook several major construction projects to improve the city's parks, sports facilities, and transportation. Atlanta became the third [[United States|American]] city to host the Summer Olympics, after [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] and [[Los Angeles]]. The games themselves were marred by numerous organizational inefficiencies as well as the [[Centennial Olympic Park bombing]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Olympic Games Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., 1996 | work = Encyclopædia Britannica online | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica | date = | url = http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-249564/Olympic-Games | format = | accessdate = 2008-01-02 }}</ref> On [[March 14]], [[2008]], at approximately 9:40 PM [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|Eastern Daylight Time]], a category [[Enhanced Fujita Scale|EF2]] [[tornado]] hit downtown Atlanta with winds up to 135&nbsp;mph (217&nbsp;kph). The tornado caused damage to [[Philips Arena]], the [[Georgia Dome]], [[Centennial Olympic Park]], the [[CNN Center]] and the [[Georgia World Congress Center]]. It also damaged the nearby neighborhoods of Vine City to the west and [[Cabbagetown (Atlanta)|Cabbagetown]], and [[Fulton Bag and Cotton Mills]] to the east. While there were dozens of injuries, only one fatality was reported.<ref name="ajctornado">Eberly, Tim; Shea, Paul. "[http://dr.coxnewsweb.com/www.ajc.com/content/stories/atlanta-tornado-claims-2-/ Tornado Claims One in Polk County]." ''[[Atlanta Journal and Constitution]].'' [[March 15]], [[2008]]. Retrieved [[April 29]], [[2008]].</ref> City officials warned it could take months to clear the devastation left by the tornado.<ref name="cnn17mar08">Staff Writer. "[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/03/17/atlanta.tornado/index.html Police to Atlantans: If you can, 'stay out of the city']." ''[[CNN]].'' [[March 17]], [[2008]]. Retrieved [[April 29]], [[2008]].</ref> ==Geography== [[Image:AtlantaSnow.jpg|thumb|right|Atlanta's Piedmont Park, with a blanket of winter snow.]] ===Topography=== According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|343.0|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. {{convert|341.2|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of it is land and {{convert|1.8|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of it is water. The total area is 0.51% water. At about {{convert|1050|ft|m|0}} above mean sea level (the airport is {{convert|1010|ft|m|0}}), Atlanta sits atop a [[ridge]] south of the [[Chattahoochee River]]. Atlanta has the highest average elevation of any major city east of [[Denver]]. The [[Eastern Continental Divide]] line enters Atlanta from the south, proceeding to downtown. From downtown, the divide line runs eastward along DeKalb Avenue and the [[CSX]] rail lines through Decatur.<ref name=divide>{{cite web | last = Yeazel | first = Jack | title = Eastern Continental Divide in Georgia | date= 2007-03-23 | url = http://www.gpsinformation.org/jack/Divide/Divide.html | accessdate = 2007-07-05 }}</ref> Rainwater that falls on the south and east side runs eventually into the [[Atlantic Ocean]] while rainwater on the north and west side of the divide runs into the [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref name=divide/> The latter is via the [[Chattahoochee River]], part of the [[ACF River Basin]], and from which Atlanta and many of its neighbors draw most of their water. Being at the far northwestern edge of the city, much of the river's natural habitat is still preserved, in part by the [[Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area]]. Downstream however, excessive water use during droughts and pollution during floods has been a source of contention and legal battles with neighboring states [[Alabama]] and [[Florida]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Florida, Alabama, Georgia water sharing | publisher = WaterWebster | date = | url = http://www.waterwebster.com/FloridaAlabamaGeorgia.htm | format = news archive | accessdate = 2007-07-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Fact Sheet &ndash; Interstate Water Conflicts: Georgia - Alabama - Florida | publisher = Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce | date = | url = http://www.metroatlantachamber.com/macoc/initiatives/img/tri-statefactsheet.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-07-05 }}</ref> ===Climate=== Atlanta has a [[humid subtropical climate]], <!--Please see discussion about Koppen system-->(Cfa) according to the [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen classification]], with hot, humid summers and mild to chilly winters by the standards of the [[United States]]. July highs average {{convert|88|°F|°C|0}} or above, and low average {{convert|67|°F|°C|0}}.<ref name=weather/> Infrequently, temperatures can even exceed {{convert|100|°F|°C|0}}. The highest temperature recorded in the city is {{convert|105|°F|°C|0}}, reached in July, 1980.<ref name=weather/> January is the coldest month, with an average high of {{convert|50|°F|°C|0}}, and low of {{convert|29|°F|°C|0}}.<ref name=weather/> Warm fronts can bring springlike temperatures in the 60s and 70s in winter, and Arctic air masses can drop temperatures into the teens as well. The coldest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-9|°F|°C|0}} in February 1899.<ref name=weather/> A close second was {{convert|-8|°F|°C|0}}, reached in January 1985.<ref name=weather/> Like the rest of the southeastern U.S., Atlanta receives abundant rainfall, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual rainfall is {{convert|50.2|in|mm|0}}.<ref name="The Weather Channel Averages">{{cite web| url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/USGA0028| title=Monthly Averages for Atlanta, GA| publisher=Weather.com| accessdate=2006-04-02}}</ref> An average year sees frost on 36 days; snowfall averages about {{convert|2|in|cm|0}} annually. The heaviest single storm brought {{convert|10|in|cm|0}} on [[January 23]], [[1940]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ourgeorgiahistory.com/chronpop/1000010| publisher=Our Georgia History| title=Atlanta, Georgia (1900-2000)| accessdate=2006-04-02}}</ref> Frequent [[ice storm]]s can cause more problems than snow; the most severe such storm may have occurred on [[January 7]], [[1973]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/winter/ice.html| work=Storm Encyclopedia| publisher=Weather.com| title=Ice Storms| accessdate=2006-04-02}}</ref> <!--Infobox begins--> {{Infobox Weather |metric_first= <!--Entering Yes will display metric first. Leave blank for imperial--> |single_line=yes <!--Entering Yes will display metric and imperial units on same line.--> |location = Atlanta, Georgia |Jan_Hi_°F = 52 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F = 79 |Feb_Hi_°F = 57 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F = 80 |Mar_Hi_°F = 65 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F = 89 |Apr_Hi_°F = 73 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F = 93 |May_Hi_°F = 80 |May_REC_Hi_°F = 97 |Jun_Hi_°F = 87 |Jun_REC_Hi_°F = 102 |Jul_Hi_°F = 89 |Jul_REC_Hi_°F = 105 |Aug_Hi_°F = 88 |Aug_REC_Hi_°F = 102 |Sep_Hi_°F = 82 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F = 102 |Oct_Hi_°F = 73 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F = 95 |Nov_Hi_°F = 63 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F = 84 |Dec_Hi_°F = 55 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F = 79 |Year_Hi_°F = |Year_REC_Hi_°F = |Jan_Lo_°F = 33 |Jan_REC_Lo_°F = -8 |Feb_Lo_°F = 37 |Feb_REC_Lo_°F = -9 |Mar_Lo_°F = 44 |Mar_REC_Lo_°F = 10 |Apr_Lo_°F = 50 |Apr_REC_Lo_°F = 25 |May_Lo_°F = 59 |May_REC_Lo_°F = 37 |Jun_Lo_°F = 67 |Jun_REC_Lo_°F = 39 |Jul_Lo_°F = 71 |Jul_REC_Lo_°F = 53 |Aug_Lo_°F = 70 |Aug_REC_Lo_°F = 55 |Sep_Lo_°F = 64 |Sep_REC_Lo_°F = 36 |Oct_Lo_°F = 53 |Oct_REC_Lo_°F = 28 |Nov_Lo_°F = 44 |Nov_REC_Lo_°F = 3 |Dec_Lo_°F = 36 |Dec_REC_Lo_°F = 0 |Year_Lo_°F = |Year_REC_Lo_°F = |Jan_Precip_inch = 5.03 |Feb_Precip_inch = 4.68 |Mar_Precip_inch = 5.38 |Apr_Precip_inch = 3.62 |May_Precip_inch = 3.95 |Jun_Precip_inch = 3.63 |Jul_Precip_inch = 5.12 |Aug_Precip_inch = 3.67 |Sep_Precip_inch = 4.09 |Oct_Precip_inch = 3.11 |Nov_Precip_inch = 4.10 |Dec_Precip_inch = 3.82 |Year_Precip_mm = <!-- Used zip code 30303 --> |source =The Weather Channel<ref name=weather>{{cite web | title = Monthly Averages for Atlanta, Georgia (30308) | publisher = The Weather Channel Interactive, Inc | format = Table | url = http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/30303?from=36hr_bottomnav_business | accessdate = 2008-03-23}}</ref> | accessdate = 2008-03-23 }}<!--Infobox ends--> In 2007, the American Lung Association ranked Atlanta as having the 13th highest level of particle pollution in the United States<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/environment/polluted_uscities.html|title=City Mayors: The most polluted US cities|publisher=citymayors.com|accessdate=2007-10-25}}</ref> The combination of pollution and pollen levels, and uninsured citizens caused the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to name Atlanta as the worst American city for asthma sufferers to live in.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/550984|title=Atlanta Named 2007 "Asthma Capital"|publisher=2007 WebMD Inc.|accessdate=2007-10-25}}.</ref> ==Cityscape== {{see also|List of Atlanta neighborhoods}} {{wide image|PanATL1.jpg|900px|Panoramic view of the central Atlanta [[skyline]], spanning [[Midtown Atlanta|Midtown]] (left) and [[Downtown Atlanta|Downtown]] (right).}} Atlanta's skyline is punctuated with highrise and midrise buildings of modern and postmodern vintage. Its tallest landmark – the [[Bank of America Plaza (Atlanta)|Bank of America Plaza]] – is the [[List of tallest buildings in the world|29th-tallest building in the world]] at {{convert|1023|ft|m|0}}. It is also the tallest building in the United States outside of [[Chicago]] and [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001338.html|title=World's Tallest Buildings | publisher= Infoplease |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> [[Image:Atlanta may 08 033.jpg|thumb|right|[[Midtown Atlanta]]]] The city's highrises are clustered in three districts in the city — Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bo/?id=101302|title=Districts and Zones of Atlanta | publisher=Emporis.com |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> (there are two more major suburban clusters, [[Perimeter Center]] to the north and [[Cumberland (Atlanta)|Cumberland]]/[[Vinings]] to the northwest). The central business district, clustered around the [http://atlantaregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp Hyatt Regency Atlanta] hotel – one of the tallest buildings in Atlanta at the time of its completion in 1967 – also includes the newer [[191 Peachtree Tower]], [[Westin Peachtree Plaza]], [[SunTrust Plaza]], [[Georgia-Pacific Tower]], and the buildings of [[Peachtree Center]]. [[Midtown Atlanta]], farther north, developed rapidly after the completion of [[One Atlantic Center]] in 1987. Businesses continue to move into the Midtown district.<ref>{{cite web | last = Southerland | first = Randy | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = What do Atlanta's big law firms see in Midtown? | work = | publisher = Atlanta Business Chronicle | date = 2004-11-19 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2004/11/22/focus10.html | format = | accessdate = 2008-12-01 }}</ref> The district's newest tower, [[1180 Peachtree]], opened there in 2006 at a height of {{convert|645|ft|m|0}}, and achieved a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification that year from the U.S. Green Building Council. Atlanta has been in the midst of a construction and retail boom, with over 60 new highrise or midrise buildings either proposed or under construction as of April 19, 2006.<ref name=A-T-L>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanplanet.org/UP.Dynamic/atlanta.php|title=Growth in the A-T-L | publisher=UrbanPlanet Institute LLC |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> October 2005 marked the opening of [[Atlantic Station]], a former [[brownfield]] steel plant site redeveloped into a mixed-use urban district. In early 2006, Mayor Franklin set in motion a plan to make the 14-block stretch of [[Peachtree Street]] in Midtown Atlanta (nicknamed "Midtown Mile") a street-level shopping destination envisioned to rival Beverly Hills' [[Rodeo Drive]] or Chicago's [[Magnificent Mile]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midtownalliance.org/RET_Vision.htm|title=Expert: Peachtree Poised to Be Next Great Shopping Street | publisher= Midtown Alliance |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midtownalliance.org/RET_ICSC.html|title=Mayor to Retailers: Peachtree Is Open for Business | publisher= Midtown Alliance |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> [[Image:Album 23 186.jpg|thumb|right|Rapid [[urbanization]] has increased the demand for residential units within the City of Atlanta; this construction is along the "Midtown Mile".]] In spite of civic efforts such as the opening of [[Centennial Olympic Park]] in downtown in 1996, Atlanta ranks near last in area of park land ''per capita'' among cities of similar population density, with 8.9&nbsp;acres per thousand residents (36 m²/resident) in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | title = Total Parkland per 1,000 Residents, by City | publisher = Center For City Park Excellence | date= 2006-06-19 | url = http://www.tpl.org/content_documents/ccpe_TotalAcresperResidents.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate= 2007-06-28 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070628105538/http://www.tpl.org/content_documents/ccpe_TotalAcresperResidents.pdf |archivedate= 2007-09-28 }}</ref> The city has a reputation, however, as a "city of trees" or a "city in a forest";<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frommers.com/destinations/atlanta/0002010001.html|title=Introduction to Atlanta | publisher= Wiley Publishing, Inc. | work= Frommer's |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.atlantamagazine.com/article.php?id=207 |title= City Observed: Power Plants |accessdate=2007-09-28 |last= Warhop |first= Bill |work= Atlanta |publisher= Atlanta Magazine |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070607192757/http://www.atlantamagazine.com/article.php?id=207 |archivedate= 2007-06-07}}</ref> beyond the central Atlanta and Buckhead business districts, the skyline gives way to a sometimes dense canopy of woods that spreads into the suburbs. Founded in 1985, [[Trees Atlanta]] has planted and distributed over 68,000 shade trees.<ref>{{cite web | title = About Us | publisher = Trees Atlanta | url = http://www.treesatlanta.org/aboutus.html | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> The city's northern section, [[Buckhead (Atlanta)|Buckhead]], is consistently ranked as one of the most affluent communities in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | last = Guerrero | first = Lucio | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Lake Forest No. 3 on list of best homes for rich | work = Chicago Sun-Times online edition | publisher = Chicago Sun-Times | date = 2001-03-13 | url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010313/ai_n13893847 | format = | accessdate = 2008-12-01 }}</ref> Since the opening of the intown segment of the [[Georgia State Route 400|Georgia 400]] [[tollway]], which linked the district to the city superhighway system in 1993, Buckhead has developed a dense commercial district, clustered around the high-end retail centers at [[Lenox Square]] and [[Phipps Plaza]] and including a growing number of office buildings and residential highrises, some in the 40+ story range. The Mansion on Peachtree, a 42 Story Luxury Hotel and Condominium tower will open in Early 2008 and the 50 story 3344 Peachtree/Sovereign, planned to reach {{convert|660|ft|m|0}}, is due for completion in late 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=3344peachtree-atlanta-ga-usa |title=Sovereign | publisher= Emporis |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> The edge cities clustered around [[Perimeter Mall]] and [[Cumberland Mall]] have distinct skylines of their own. The [[Concourse at Landmark Center]], located near Perimeter Mall in Sandy Springs, includes a pair of buildings called the King and Queen that each measure {{convert|570|ft|m|0}} in total height. ==Architecture== {{main|Architecture of Atlanta}} Unlike many other Southern cities such as Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans, Atlanta chose not to retain its historic Old South architectural characteristics. Instead, Atlanta viewed itself as the leading city of a progressive "New South" and opted for expressive modern structures.<ref>Craig (1995), p. 15</ref> The Architecture of Atlanta has seen works by most major [[United States|U.S.]] firms and some of the more prominent architects of the 20th century, including [[Michael Graves]], [[Richard Meier]], [[Renzo Piano]], and soon, [[Santiago Calatrava]] and [[David Chipperfield]]. Atlanta's most notable hometown architect may be [[John Portman]] whose creation of the atrium hotel beginning with the [[Hyatt Regency Atlanta]] (1967) made a significant mark on the hospitality sector. A graduate of [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]]'s [[Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture|College of Architecture]], Portman's work reshaped downtown Atlanta with his designs for the [[Atlanta Merchandise Mart]], [[Peachtree Center]], the [[Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel]], and [[SunTrust Plaza]]. ==Demographics== {{see also|Population of Atlanta}} {| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:3px;text-size:80%; text-align:right" |align=center colspan=3| '''Atlanta population''' |- !Year !! City<br />proper<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html| title=POPULATION OF THE 100 LARGEST CITIES AND OTHER URBAN PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES: 1790 TO 1990| first=Campbell | last=Gibson| publisher=Population Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census| accessdate=2006-04-02| year=June 1998}}</ref>!! Metro<br />area<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/index.htm| title=CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING: DECENIAL CENSUS| first= | last=| publisher=U.S. Bureau of the Census| accessdate=2008-05-18| year=2000}}</ref> |- |1850 ||align=center| 2,572 || N/A |- |1860 ||align=center| 9,554 || N/A |- |1870 ||align=center| 21,789 || N/A |- |1880 ||align=center| 37,409 || N/A |- |1890 ||align=center| 65,533 || N/A |- |1900 ||align=center| 89,872 || 419,375 |- |1910 ||align=center| 154,839 || 522,442 |- |1920 ||align=center| 200,616 || 622,283 |- |1930 ||align=center| 270,366 || 715,391 |- |1940 ||align=center| 302,288 || 820,579 |- |1950 ||align=center| 331,314 || 997,666 |- |1960 ||align=center| 487,455 || 1,312,474 |- |1970 ||align=center| 496,973 || 1,763,626 |- |1980 ||align=center| 425,022 || 2,233,324 |- |1990 ||align=center| 394,017 || 2,959,950 |- |2000 ||align=center| 416,474 || 4,112,198 |- |2008 ||align=center| 519,145<ref name="USCB-2008"/> || 5,278,904<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.xls|title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 | format=[[Microsoft Excel]] |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| accessdate = 2007-09-03 }}</ref> |} As of July 2006, the [[Atlanta metropolitan area]] had an estimated population of 5,138,223.<ref name=msa2006>{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.xls |title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 | format=[[Microsoft Excel]] |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| accessdate = 2007-09-03 }}</ref> According to the 2000 [[census]], there were 416,474 people (486,411 in the July 2006 estimate),<ref name="USCB-2006">{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2007/cb07-91table3.pdf |title=Population Estimates for the 25 U.S. Cities with the Largest Numerical Increase from July&nbsp;1, 2005 to July&nbsp;1, 2006 | publisher =U.S. Census Bureau |date=2007-06-28 |accessdate=2007-08-13}}</ref> 168,147 households, and 83,232 families residing in the city proper. The [[population density]] was 3,161 people per square mile (1,221/km²). There were 186,925 housing units at an average density of 1,419/sq&nbsp;mi (548/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.39% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]] (Black), 33.22% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.93% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.18% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.99% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.24% from two or more races. 6.49% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.<ref name=race>{{cite web |url=http://censtats.census.gov/data/GA/1601304000.pdf |title=Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000, Atlanta, Georgia |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=2007-07-04}}</ref> The city also has the third highest percentage (12.8%) of gay, lesbian, and bisexual couples among the fifty largest cities in the United States.<ref>Gary J. Gates {{PDFlink|[http://www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/publications/SameSexCouplesandGLBpopACS.pdf Same-sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Population: New Estimates from the American Community Survey]|2.07&nbsp;[[Mebibyte|MiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 2180309 bytes -->}}. The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, UCLA School of Law October, 2006. Retrieved [[February 15]], [[2007]].</ref> There were 168,147 households out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 20.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.5% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.16. In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 13.3% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $51,482 and the median income for a family was $55,939. Males had a median income of $36,162 compared to $30,178 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $29,772, and 24.4% of the population and 21.3% of families were below the [[poverty line]], including 38.8% of those under the age of 18 and 20.7% of those 65 and older. According to a 2000 daytime population estimate by the Census Bureau,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/daytime/daytimepop.html| title=Estimated Daytime Population| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| accessdate=2006-04-02| year=December 6, 2005}}</ref> over 250,000 more people commuted to Atlanta on any given workday, boosting the city's estimated daytime population to 676,431. This is an increase of 62.4% over Atlanta's resident population, making it the largest gain in daytime population in the country among cities with fewer than 500,000 residents. According to census estimates, [[Metropolitan Atlanta]] is the fastest growing area in the nation since 2000 by numerical increase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2007/04/05/real_estate/fastest_growing_metro_areas/index.htm | title=Atlanta tops in population growth | publisher=CNNMoney | accessdate= 2008-01-01 }}</ref> Atlanta is also seeing a unique and drastic demographic increase in its white population, and at a pace that outstrips the rest of the nation. The white share of the city's population, says Brookings Institution, grew faster between 2000 and 2006 than that of any other U.S. city. It increased from 31 percent in 2000 to 35 percent in 2006, a numeric gain of 26,000, more than double the increase between 1990 and 2000. The trend seems to be gathering strength with each passing year. Only [[Washington, D.C.]] saw a comparable increase in white population share during those years.<ref>http://www.governing.com/articles/0807atlanta.htm Governing Magazine: Atlanta and the Urban Future, July 2008</ref> Atlanta is also home to the fastest growing millionaire population in the United States. The number of households in Atlanta with $1 million or more in investable assets, not including primary residence and consumable goods, will increase 69% through 2011, to approximately 103,000 households.<ref>{{cite news | last = Lightsey | first = Ed | coauthors = | title = Trend Radar January 2007 | work = Georgia Trend Online | pages = | language = | publisher = Georgia Trend | date = January, 2007 | url = http://www.georgiatrend.com/features-economic-development/200701-radar.shtml | accessdate = 2008-01-02 }}</ref> ===Religion=== [[Image:Church on North Ave and Peachtree St.JPG|thumb|right|North Avenue Presbyterian Church, on the southeast corner of [[North Avenue (Atlanta)|North Avenue]] and Peachtree Street]] There are over 1,000 places of worship within the city of Atlanta.<ref name=infoplease>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108481.html|title=Atlanta, Ga. | work= Information Please® Database | publisher= Pearson Education, Inc | accessdate=2006-05-17}}</ref> [[Protestant]] Christian faiths are well represented in Atlanta,<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Top 15 Reporting Religious Bodies: Atlanta, GA | work = | publisher = Glenmary Research Center | date = 2002-10-24 | url = http://ext.nazarene.org/rcms/016.html | format = | accessdate = 2008-04-29 }}</ref> the city historically being a major center for traditional Southern denominations such as the [[Southern Baptist Convention]], the [[United Methodist Church]], and the [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]]. There are a large number of "mega churches" in the area, especially in suburban areas, with congregations numbering in the thousands; Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Buckhead is the largest congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). As the [[Episcopal see|see]] of the [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] [[Archdiocese of Atlanta]], Atlanta serves as the [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitan see]] for the Province of Atlanta. The archdiocesan cathedral is the [[Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta|Cathedral of Christ the King]] and the current archbishop is the [[Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory]]. The Catholic population of metropolitan Atlanta and northern Georgia grew to 650,000 in 2006, boosted in recent years by [[Hispanic]] immigrants (especially in smaller Georgia communities) and migration from elsewhere in the U.S.<ref name = "qhvzfl">{{cite web | last = Nelson | first = Andrew | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Catholic Population Officially Leaps To 650,000 | work = The Georgia Bulletin | publisher = | date = 2007-09-06 | url = http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2007/09/06/pop/ | format = | accessdate = 2007-12-19 }} </ref> As of 2007 the Archdiocese of Atlanta included 84 parishes.<ref name = "qhvzfl"/> Also located in the metropolitan area are several [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Catholic]] parishes.<ref>These include [http://www.stjohnmelkite.org/ St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church]; [http://www.sjmcc.org/ St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church]; and [http://www.byzantines.net/epiphany/ Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church]</ref> Atlanta is also the see of the [[Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta]], which includes all of northern Georgia, much of middle Georgia and the [[Chattahoochee River]] valley of western Georgia. This Diocese is headquartered at the [[Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Philip, Atlanta|Cathedral of St Philip]] in Buckhead and is led by the [[Right Reverend]] [[J. Neil Alexander]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = The Episcopal Church in Georgia | work = | publisher = The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta | date = | url = http://www.episcopalatlanta.org/bishop/index.html | format = | accessdate = 2007-12-26 }}</ref> Atlanta serves as headquarters for several regional church bodies also. The Southeastern Synod of the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], consisting of churches in [[Alabama]], Georgia, [[Mississippi]], and [[Tennessee]], maintains offices in downtown Atlanta; ELCA parishes are numerous throughout the metro area. A smaller but influential group is the [[Southeast Conference, United Church of Christ]], headquartered in Midtown and serving churches in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and central and eastern Tennessee. There are eight [[United Church of Christ]] congregations in the Atlanta metro area, one of which, First Congregational in the [[Sweet Auburn]] neighborhood, is noted for being the church with which former mayor Andrew Young is affiliated. Traditional African-American denominations such as the [[National Baptist Convention]] and the [[African Methodist Episcopal Church]] are strongly represented in the area. These churches have several seminaries that form the [[Interdenominational Theological Center]] complex in the [[Atlanta University Center]]. The city also hosts the [[Greek Orthodox]] Annunciation Cathedral, the see of Metropolis of Atlanta and its bishop, Alexios. There are at least eleven [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] parishes in Atlanta, including Greek, Russian, Carpatho-Russian, [[The Orthodox Church in America|Orthodox Church in America]], [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|Antiochian]], [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Serbian]], Ukrainian and [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romanian]]. The headquarters for The [[Salvation Army]]'s United States Southern Territory is located in Atlanta.<ref>{{cite web | title = About The Salvation Army | publisher = The Salvation Army | url = http://www.salvationarmysouth.org/about.htm | accessdate = 2007-09-21 }}</ref> The denomination has eight churches, numerous social service centers, and youth clubs located throughout the Atlanta area. The city has a [[Temple#Temples_in_the_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_.26_related_movements|temple]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]] located in the suburb of [[Sandy Springs, Georgia]]. This temple was the first to be dedicated by former [[prophet]] of the church, [[Gordon B. Hinckley]]. Metropolitan Atlanta is also home to a vibrant Jewish community estimated to include 120,000 individuals in 61,300 households.<ref name=Jewish>{{cite web | title = Jewish Community Centennial Study 2006 | publisher = Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta | url = http://www.shalomatlanta.org/page.html?ArticleID=121291 | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> This study places Atlanta's Jewish population as the 11th largest in the United States, up from 17th largest in 1996.<ref name=Jewish/> There is also an estimated 75,000 [[Muslims]] in the area and approximately 35 [[mosques]].<ref>[http://www.alfarooqmasjid.org/web425/content/php/index/aboutus.php Al-Farooq Masjid of Atlanta]</ref> In addition, the greater Atlanta area is home to over 69,000 [[Asian Indians]] within approximately 39,300 households.<ref>>{{cite web | title = Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area | publisher = US Census Bureau | url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/IPTable?_bm=y&-context=ip&-reg=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201:032;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201PR:032;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201T:032;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201TPR:032;&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201PR&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201T&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201TPR&-ds_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_&-tree_id=305&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=31000US12060&-search_results=01000US&-format=&-_lang=en | accessdate = 2008-05-02 }}</ref> Recently, two [[Hindu temples]] have been built in the southwest suburbs to meet the growing community needs. ==Economy== {{seealso|List of major companies in Atlanta}} [[Image:Newworldofcocacola.jpg|thumb|The [[World of Coca-Cola]] museum reopened at a new location near the [[Georgia Aquarium]] on [[May 26]], [[2007]].]] [[Image:Oct 5 005.jpg|thumb|right|[[Federal Reserve Bank]] in [[Midtown Atlanta]].]] [[Image:downtownconnectoratlantaaerial.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Downtown Connector]]]] [[Image:CDC HDR I.jpg|thumb|right|[[Center for Disease Control and Prevention]], headquartered just outside of Atlanta.]] One of seven American cities classified as [[Global city#Gamma world cities (minor world cities)|Gamma world cities]], Atlanta ranks third in the number of [[Fortune 500]] companies headquartered within city boundaries, behind [[New York City]] and [[Houston]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/cities/|title=Fortune 500, 2007 | date= 2007-04-08 | publisher= CNNMoney.com |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> Several major national and international companies are headquartered in Atlanta or its nearby suburbs, including three Fortune 100 companies: [[The Coca-Cola Company]], [[Home Depot]], and [[United Parcel Service]] in adjacent [[Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs]]. The headquarters of [[AT&T Mobility]] (formerly Cingular Wireless), the largest [[mobile phone]] service provider in the United States,<ref>{{cite web | last = Taylor | first = Paul | title = Cingular profits quadruple on subscriber growth | work = The Financial Times | publisher = The Financial Times Limited | date= 2006-10-19 | url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5559f4ea-5f99-11db-a011-0000779e2340.html | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> can be found a short distance inside the Perimeter beside [[Georgia State Route 400]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cingular.com/about/ |title=About Wireless Services from AT&T, Formerly Cingular| publisher = AT&T Knowledge Ventures |accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> [[Newell Rubbermaid]] is one of the most recent companies to relocate to the metro area; in October 2006, it announced plans to move its headquarters to Sandy Springs.<ref>{{cite web | last = Woods | first = Walter | title = Rubbermaid building new HQ, adding 350 jobs | work = The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | date= 2006-10-17 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20061113071442/http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2006/10/17/1017rubbermaid_.html | archivedate = 2006-11-13 | url = http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2006/10/17/1017rubbermaid_.html | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> Other headquarters for some major companies in Atlanta and around the metro area include [[Arby's]], [[Chick-Fil-A]], [[Earthlink]], [[Equifax]], [[Georgia-Pacific]], [[Oxford Industries]], [[Southern Company]], [[SunTrust Banks]], and [[Waffle House]]. Over 75% of the [[Fortune 1000]] companies have a presence in the Atlanta area, and the region hosts offices of about 1,250 multinational corporations. [[Delta Air Lines]] is the city's largest employer and the metro area's third largest.<ref>{{cite web | publisher = Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce | title = Atlanta's top employers, 2006 | url=http://www.metroatlantachamber.com/macoc/business/img/TopEmployers2006.pdf | accessdate = 2007-08-08 }}</ref> Delta operates the world's largest airline hub at [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]] and, together with the hub of competing carrier [[AirTran Airways]], has helped make Hartsfield-Jackson the world's busiest airport, both in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft operations. The airport, since its construction in the 1950s, has served as a key engine of Atlanta's economic growth.<ref name="allen">{{cite book |last=Allen |first=Frederick |title=Atlanta Rising |year=1996 |publisher=Longstreet Press |location=Atlanta, Georgia |id=ISBN 1-56352-296-9 }}</ref> Atlanta has a sizable financial sector. [[SunTrust Banks]], the seventh largest bank by asset holdings in the United States,<ref>{{cite web | title = The Largest Banks in the U.S. | publisher = The New York Job Source | date= 2006-06-30 | url = http://nyjobsource.com/banks.html | format = chart | accessdate = 2007-08-22 }}</ref> has its home office on Peachtree Street in downtown.<ref>{{cite web | last = Sarath | first = Patrice | title = SunTrust Banks, Inc. | publisher = Hoovers | url = http://hoovers.com/suntrust/--ID__11416--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml | accessdate = 2007-08-22 }}</ref> The [[Federal Reserve System]] has a district headquarters in Atlanta; the [[Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta]], which oversees much of the [[deep South]], relocated from downtown to midtown in 2001.<ref>{{cite web | last = Bowers | first = Paige | title = Beers built marble monument for Fed. Reserve | work = Atlanta Business Chronicle | publisher = American City Business Journals, Inc | date= 2001-12-07 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2001/12/10/focus9.html | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> [[Wachovia]] announced plans in August 2006 to place its new [[credit card|credit-card]] division in Atlanta,<ref>{{cite web | last = Rauch | first = Joe | title = Wachovia to put headquarters of card subsidiary in Atlanta | work = Birmingham Business Journal | publisher = American City Business Journals, Inc | date= 2006-08-21 | url = http://birmingham.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2006/08/21/daily3.html?jst=pn_pn_lk | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> and city, state and civic leaders harbor long-term hopes of having the city serve as the home of the secretariat of a future [[Free Trade Area of the Americas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantagateway.org/|title=Atlanta: gateway to the future | publisher= Hemisphere, Inc. | accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> The auto manufacturing sector in metropolitan Atlanta has suffered setbacks recently, including the planned closure of the [[General Motors]] [[Doraville Assembly]] plant in 2008, and the shutdown of [[Ford Motor Company]]'s [[Atlanta Assembly]] plant in [[Hapeville, Georgia|Hapeville]] in 2006. [[Kia Motors|Kia]], however, has broken ground on a new assembly plant near [[West Point, Georgia|West Point]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Duffy | first = Kevin | title = Supplier to build at Kia site in West Point | work = Atlanta Journal-Constitution | date= 2007-08-09 | url = http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2007/08/08/mobis_0809.html | accessdate = 2007-08-22 | archiveurl = | archivedate= }}</ref> The city is a major [[cable TV|cable television]] programming center. [[Ted Turner]] began the [[Turner Broadcasting System]] media empire in Atlanta, where he bought a UHF station that eventually became [[WTBS]]. Turner established the headquarters of the [[Cable News Network]] at [[CNN Center]], adjacent today to [[Centennial Olympic Park]]. As his company grew, its other channels – the [[Cartoon Network]], [[Boomerang (TV channel)|Boomerang]], [[Turner Network Television|TNT]], [[Turner South]], [[CNN International]], [[CNN en Español]], [[CNN Headline News]], and [[CNN Airport Network]] – centered their operations in Atlanta as well (Turner South has since been sold). [[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]], owned by [[Landmark Communications]], has its offices in the nearby suburb of [[Marietta, Georgia|Marietta]]. [[Cox Enterprises]], a privately held company controlled by siblings [[Barbara Cox Anthony]] and [[Anne Cox Chambers]], has substantial media holdings in and beyond Atlanta. Its [[Cox Communications]] division is the nation's third-largest cable television service provider;<ref>{{cite web | title = About Cox | publisher = Cox Communications, Inc | url = http://www.cox.com/about/ | accessdate = 2007-08-22 }}</ref> the company also publishes over a dozen daily newspapers in the United States, including ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution''. [[WSB (AM)|WSB]] – the flagship station of Cox Radio – was the first [[AM radio]] station in the South. Atlanta is also home to the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC). Adjacent to Emory University, with a staff of nearly 15,000 (including 6,000 contractors and 840 Commissioned Corps officers) in 170 occupations, including: engineers, entomologists, epidemiologists, biologists, physicians, veterinarians, behavioral scientists, nurses, medical technologists, economists, health communicators, toxicologists, chemists, computer scientists, and statisticians. Headquartered in DeKalb County, CDC has 10 other offices throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. In addition, CDC staff are located in local health agencies, quarantine/border health offices at ports of entry, and 45 countries around the world. Originally established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center, its primary function was to combat [[malaria]], the deep southeast being the heart of the U.S. malaria zone at the time. ==Culture== [[Image:IMG 4805.JPG‎|thumb|right|The [[Sweet Auburn]] district is preserved as the [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]] National Historic Site.]] [[Image:TheVarsity Atlanta-GA.jpg|right|thumb|[[The Varsity]] has been an Atlanta landmark for over 75 years.]] [[Image:Ab30 (55).jpg|thumb|right|Atlanta's [[Piedmont Park]] is the city's largest park. A portion of the park is seen here with the [[Midtown Atlanta]] Skyline.]] {{main|Culture of Atlanta, Georgia}} {{see also|List of people from Atlanta, Georgia}} ===Tourism=== {{see also|Atlanta attractions}} Atlanta hosts a variety of museums on subjects ranging from history to fine arts, natural history, and beverages. The [[Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site]] honors Atlanta's participation in the civil rights movement. Other history museums and attractions include the [[Atlanta History Center]]; the [[Atlanta Cyclorama|Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum]] (a huge painting and [[diorama]] in-the-round, with a rotating central audience platform, that depicts the [[Battle of Atlanta]] in the Civil War); the [[Carter Center|Carter Center and Presidential Library]]; historic house museum [[Rhodes Hall]]; and the [[Margaret Mitchell House and Museum]]. The arts are represented by several theaters and museums, including the [[Fox Theatre (Atlanta)|Fox Theatre]]. The [[Woodruff Arts Center]] is home to the [[Tony Award]] winning [[Alliance Theatre Company|Alliance Theatre]], Atlanta Symphony, and [[High Museum of Art]]. The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center features challenging contemporary art and education geared toward working artists and collectors of art. Museums geared specifically towards children include the [[Fernbank Science Center]] and Imagine It! Atlanta's Children's Museum. The [[Atlanta Opera]], founded in 1979 by members of two struggling local companies, has become one of the fastest growing opera companies in the nation and garners attention from audiences around the world.<ref>{{cite web | last = Cason | first = Caroline | title = Atlanta Opera | work = Internet Encyclopedia | publisher = The New Georgia Encyclopedia | date= 2005-09-30 | url = http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2702 | accessdate = 2007-07-07 }}</ref> Atlanta features the world's largest aquarium,<ref>{{cite web | title = Big window to the sea | url = http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/11/21/new.ga.aquarium/index.html | publisher = CNN | accessdate = 2008-01-01 }}</ref> the [[Georgia Aquarium]], which officially opened to the public on [[November 23]], [[2005]]. The new [[World of Coca-Cola]], opened adjacent to the Aquarium in May 2007, features the history of the world famous soft drink brand. [[Underground Atlanta]], a historic shopping and entertainment complex lies under the streets of downtown Atlanta. [[Atlantic Station]], a huge new urban renewal project on the northwestern edge of Midtown Atlanta, officially opened in October 2005. [[The Varsity]] in Midtown Atlanta boasts the title of "the world's largest drive-in restaurant".<ref>{{cite web | title = The Varsity: What'll Ya Have | url = http://www.thevarsity.com/ | publisher = The Varsity | accessdate = 2007-07-07 }}</ref> [[Piedmont Park]] hosts many of Atlanta's festivals and cultural events.<ref name=piedmonthist>{{cite web | title = Park History | publisher = Piedmont Park Conservancy | url = http://www.piedmontpark.org/history/history.html | accessdate = 2007-07-07 }}</ref> [[Atlanta Botanical Garden]] sits next to the park. [[Zoo Atlanta]], in [[Grant Park (Atlanta)|Grant Park]], features a [[panda]] exhibit. Just east of the city rises [[Stone Mountain]], the largest piece of exposed [[granite]] in the world.<ref name="stone_mountain_encyclopedia">{{cite web | last = Stewart | first = Bruce E. | title = Stone Mountain | work = The New Georgia Encyclopedia | publisher = Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press | date= 2004-05-14 | url = http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2145 | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> [[Six Flags Over Georgia|Six Flags Over Georgia Theme Park]] lies a few miles west of Atlanta on [[I-20]]. ===Entertainment and performing arts=== {{see also|Popular music artists from Atlanta}} [[Image:Album 10 002.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Fox Theatre (Atlanta)|Fox Theatre]].]] [[Image:10 The High.jpg|thumb|right|The [[High Museum of Art]], a division of the [[Woodruff Arts Center]] in [[Midtown Atlanta]].]] Atlanta's classical music scene includes well-renowned ensembles such as the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]], [[Atlanta Opera]], [[Atlanta Ballet]], period-instrument ensemble [[New Trinity Baroque]], [[Atlanta Boy Choir]], and many others. Classical musicians include renowned conductors such as the late [[Robert Shaw (conductor)|Robert Shaw]] and the Atlanta Symphony's [[Robert Spano]]. The city has a well-known and active live music scene, though recently rapid gentrification and early venue closing times have hurt small clubs and other music venues. In the early 1980s, Atlanta was the home of a thriving [[new wave music]] scene featuring such bands as [[The Brains]] and [[The Producers (band)|The Producers]], closely linked to the new wave scenes in [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and other college towns in the southeast. Historically there have been a variety of live music traditions going back to Cabbagetown country music pioneer [[Fiddlin' John Carson]], also including a thriving scene in the 90's, also in Cabbagetown, centered around a bar called Dotties, now known as Lenny's and relocated a few blocks away. [[Video Concert Hall]], precursor to [[MTV]], was founded in Atlanta. Atlanta has been referred to as a Hip-Hop capital due to its giving rise to many now popular rap artists.<ref>{{cite news | last = Dewane | first = Shaila | coauthors = | title = 36 Hours in Atlanta | work = The New York Times | pages = | language = | publisher = | date = [[January 7]], [[2007]] | url = http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/travel/07hours.html | accessdate = 2008-03-26}}</ref> Areas of the city such as [[Bankhead]], [[College Park, Georgia|College Park]] and [[East Atlanta]] are often mentioned in songs. Famous Hip-Hop artists that hail from Atlanta include [[Outkast]], the Goodie MOB, [[Soulja Boy]], [[T.I.]], [[Nivea]], [[Dem Franchise Boyz]],[[Usher Raymond]], [[Monica]], [[Young Jeezy]], [[Lil Jon]], [[The Ying Yang Twins]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Ciara]], [[Yung Joc]], [[Cee-lo Green]], [[Ludacris]], [[Pastor Troy]], and [[Keri Hilson]] ==Sports== Atlanta is home to several professional sports franchises, including teams from [[U.S. cities with teams from four major sports|all four different major league sports in the U.S.]] The [[Atlanta Braves]] of [[Major League Baseball]] and the [[Atlanta Falcons]] of the [[National Football League]], have played in the city since 1966. The Braves began playing in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings, and is the oldest continually operating professional baseball team of Major League Baseball.<ref name="braves_oldest_team">"[http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/history/story_of_the_braves.jsp The Story of the Braves]." ''[[Atlanta Braves]].'' Retrieved on [[April 29]], [[2008]].</ref> The Braves won the [[World Series]] in 1995 and had a recently ended an unprecedented run of 14 straight divisional championships from 1991 to 2005. The [[Atlanta Falcons]] are an [[American football]] team of the [[National Football League]] have played in Atlanta since 1966. The team currently plays at the [[Georgia Dome]]. They have won the division title three times, and one conference championship &ndash; going on to lose to the [[Denver Broncos]] in [[Super Bowl XXXIII]] on [[January 31]], [[1999]]. Atlanta hosted [[Super Bowl XXVIII]] in 1994 and [[Super Bowl XXXIV]] in 2000.<ref name="falcons">"[http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Alumni/History.aspx History: Atlanta Falcons]." ''[[Atlanta Falcons]].'' Retrieved on [[April 29]], [[2008]].</ref> The [[Atlanta Hawks]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] have played in Atlanta since 1968. The team's history goes back to 1946, when they were known as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, playing in the area of [[Moline, Illinois|Moline]] and [[Rock Island, Illinois]], and [[Davenport, Iowa]]. The team then moved to Milwaukee in 1951, and to St. Louis in 1955, where they won their sole [[NBA Finals|NBA Championship]] as the St. Louis Hawks. In 1968, they came to Atlanta.<ref name="hawks_history">"[http://www.nba.com/hawks/history/00400483.html A Franchise Rich With Tradition: From Pettit To 'Pistol Pete' To The 'Human Highlight Film']." ''[[Atlanta Hawks]].'' Retrieved on [[April 29]], [[2008]].</ref> In October 2007, the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] (WNBA) announced that Atlanta would receive an expansion franchise, beginning league play in May 2008. The new team is the [[Atlanta Dream]], and will play in [[Philips Arena]]. The new franchise is not affiliated with the Atlanta Hawks.<ref>{{cite web|title = The WNBA Is Coming to Atlanta in 2008|work = WNBA.com|publisher = WNBA Enterprises, LLC|date = 2008-01-22|url = http://aol.wnba.com/atlanta/|accessdate = 2008-03-21}}</ref> From 1972&ndash;1980, the [[Calgary Flames|Atlanta Flames]] played [[ice hockey]] in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL). The team moved to [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], [[Canada]] in 1980, due to financial difficulties of the owner, and became the [[Calgary Flames]]. On [[June 25]], [[1997]], Atlanta was awarded an NHL expansion franchise, and the [[Atlanta Thrashers]] became the city's newest [[ice hockey]] team. The Thrashers play at [[Philips Arena]]. The team began play on [[September 18]], [[1999]], losing to the [[New York Rangers]] 3-2 in overtime in a preseason game. The Thrashers first home victory came on [[October 26]], [[1999]], defeating the [[Calgary Flames]].<ref name="thrashers_history">"[http://thrashers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=13738 History]." ''[[Atlanta Thrashers]].'' Retrieved on [[April 29]], [[2008]].</ref> [[Image:Turner field Braves.jpg|thumb|right|[[Turner Field]]]] Atlanta is also home to the [[Atlanta Silverbacks]] of the [[United Soccer Leagues]] First Division (men) and W-League (women). The city is also being considered for a potential expansion team in [[Major League Soccer]].<ref name="league_goals">{{cite web|last = Falkoff|first = Robert|title = Commissioner outlines league goals|publisher = Major League Soccer, L.L.C|date = 2007-11-16|url = http://www.mlsnet.com//news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20071116&content_id=129731&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp|accessdate = 2008-03-21}}</ref> In golf, the final event of the [[PGA Tour]] season, [[The Tour Championship]], is played annually at [[East Lake Golf Club]]. This golf course is used because of its connection to the great amateur golfer [[Bobby Jones (golfer)|Bobby Jones]], an Atlanta native. Atlanta has a rich tradition in collegiate athletics. The [[Georgia Tech]] Yellow Jackets participate in seventeen intercollegiate sports, including [[American football|football]] and [[basketball]]. Tech competes in the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]], and is home to [[Bobby Dodd Stadium]], the oldest continuously used on campus site for [[college football]] in the southern United States, and oldest currently in Division I-A.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/genrel/071001aaa.html|title=Bobby Dodd Stadium At Historic Grant Field :: A Cornerstone of College Football for Nearly a Century|work=RamblinWreck.com|publisher=Georgia Tech Athletic Association|accessdate=2007-03-24}}</ref> The stadium was built in 1913 by students of [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]]. Atlanta also played host to the second intercollegiate football game in the South, played between [[Auburn University]] and the [[University of Georgia]] in [[Piedmont Park]] in 1892; this game is now called the [[Deep South's Oldest Rivalry]].<ref name="auburn-georgia">"[http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=676604 Georgia And Auburn Face Off In Deep South's Oldest Rivalry]." ''[http://www.georgiadogs.com/ georgiadogs.com].'' [[November 6]], [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[April 29]], [[2008]].</ref> The city hosts college football's annual [[Chick-fil-A Bowl]] (Formerly known as The Peach Bowl) and the [[Peachtree Road Race]], the world’s largest {{nowrap|10 km}} race.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2005/11/14/focus3.html| title=Peachtree race director deflects praise to others| publisher=Atlanta Business Chronicle|accessdate= 2008-01-01}}</ref> Atlanta was the host city for the Centennial [[1996 Summer Olympics]]. [[Centennial Olympic Park]], built for 1996 Summer Olympics, sits adjacent to [[CNN Center]] and [[Philips Arena]]. It is now operated by the [[Georgia World Congress Center]] Authority. Atlanta hosted the [[NCAA Final Four]] Men's Basketball Championship most recently in April 2007. {|class="wikitable" !Club !Sport !League !Venue |- |[[Atlanta Falcons]] |[[American Football]] |[[National Football League]] |[[Georgia Dome]] |- |[[Atlanta Braves]] |[[Baseball]] |[[Major League Baseball]], [[National League|NL]] |[[Turner Field]] |- |[[Atlanta Hawks]] |[[Basketball]] |[[National Basketball Association]] |[[Philips Arena]] |- |[[Atlanta Thrashers]] |[[Ice Hockey]] |[[National Hockey League]] |[[Philips Arena]] |- |[[Atlanta Dream]] |[[Basketball]] |[[Women's National Basketball Association]] |[[Philips Arena]] |- |[[Atlanta Silverbacks]] |[[Football (Soccer)|Soccer (Football)]] |[[USL First Division]] |[[Silverbacks Park]] |- |[[Georgia Force]] |[[Arena Football]] |[[Arena Football League]] |[[Arena at Gwinnett Center]] |- |[[Gwinnett Gladiators]] |[[Ice Hockey]] |[[ECHL]] |[[Arena at Gwinnett Center]] |- |[[Atlanta Vision]] |[[Basketball]] |[[American Basketball Association (21st century)|ABA]]:[[Blue Conference]] |The Sampson's Center |} ==Media== {{seealso|List of newspapers in Atlanta|List of broadcast stations in Atlanta}} The major daily paper in Atlanta is the ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]''. Several alternative weekly publications are also distributed, including ''[[Creative Loafing]]'', ''[[The Sunday Paper]]'' and the ''Atlanta Nation''. A monthly newsprint publication ''[[Stomp And Stammer]]'' features local music news, [[indie rock]] record reviews, and cultural commentary. The Atlanta metro area is served by many local television stations and is the eighth largest [[designated market area]] (DMA) in the U.S. with 2,310,490 homes (2.0% of the total U.S.).<ref name="nielsen"> "[http://www.marketingcharts.com/television/us-television-households-increase-13-for-2007-2008-season-1385/nielsen-us-tv-2007-2008-top-50-dmajpg/ Nielsen Reports 1.3% increase in U.S. Television Households for the 2007-2008 Season]." ''[[Nielsen Media Research]].'' ([[September 22]], [[2007]]) Retrieved on [[April 29]], [[2008]].</ref> The major network television affiliates are [[WSB-TV]] 2 ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]), [[WAGA (TV)|WAGA]] 5 ([[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]]), [[WXIA-TV|WXIA]] 11 ([[NBC]]), [[WPXA (TV)|WXPA]] 14 ([[I (TV network)|Ion]]), [[WPCH]] 17 (PeachTree TV, Local), [[WUVG-TV|WUVG]] 34 ([[Univision]]), [[WATL (TV)|WATL]] 36 ([[MyNetworkTV|My Network TV]]), [[WGCL-TV|WGCL]] 46 ([[CBS]], [[WATC-TV|WATC]] 57 (Religious independent), [[WHSG-TV|WHSG]] 63 ([[Trinity Broadcasting Network|TBN]]), and [[WUPA]] 69 ([[The CW|CW]]). [[WGTV (TV)|WGTV]] 8 and [[WPBA (TV)|WPBA]] 30 are local [[Public Broadcasting System|PBS]] affiliates in the area. Several [[cable television]] networks also operate from Atlanta, including [[TBS (TV network)|TBS]], [[CNN]], [[CNN en Espanol]], [[CNN Headline News]], [[CNN International]], [[Cartoon Network]], [[Court TV]], [[Boomerang (TV channel)|Boomerang]], [[Turner Classic Movies]] and [[Turner Network Television|TNT]]. These networks are owned by [[Turner Broadcasting System]] (now a subsidiary of [[Time Warner]]). [[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]] (owned by [[Landmark Communications]]) also broadcasts from the Atlanta area. The first nationwide [[music video]] programming on cable television, [[Video Concert Hall]], a precursor to [[MTV]], was created in Atlanta.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Entertainment and performing arts | work = AtlantaMaps.net | publisher = | date = 2008 | url = http://www.atlantamaps.net/culture.html | format = | accessdate = 2008-05-06 }}</ref> There are also numerous local radio stations serving every genre of music, sports, and talk. The nationally syndicated [[Neal Boortz]] and [[Clark Howard]] shows are broadcast from Atlanta radio station AM 750 [[WSB-AM|WSB]]. [[Cox Enterprises]], which owns the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, [[WSB-TV]], and WSB-AM-FM, is headquartered in Atlanta. [[Cumulus Media, Inc.]] engages in the acquisition, operation, and development of commercial radio stations in mid-size radio markets in the United States and is also headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. As of [[December 31]], [[2005]], it owned and operated 307 radio stations in 61 mid-sized U.S. media markets and a multimarket network of 5 radio stations in the English-speaking Caribbean.<ref>[http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=CMLS CMLS:Profile for Cumulus Media Inc.] Yahoo! Finance</ref> ==Law and government== {{see also|List of mayors of Atlanta}} [[Image:Atlanta City Hall from HABS.jpg|thumb|[[Atlanta City Hall]]]] [[Image:GeorgiaCapitolBuilding.jpg|2936x1940, 457KB|thumb|right|The [[Georgia State Capitol]] in Atlanta]] [[Image:MariettaGeorgia.jpg|right|thumb|The town square in downtown [[Marietta, Georgia|Marietta]], a [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County]] suburb of Atlanta.]] Atlanta is governed by a [[mayor]] and a city council. The city council consists of 15 representatives—one from each of the city's twelve districts and three at-large positions. The mayor may veto a bill passed by the council, but the council can override the veto with a two-thirds majority. The mayor of Atlanta is [[Shirley Franklin]]. Every mayor elected since 1973 has been black.<ref>{{cite web | author = Lawrence Kestenbaum | title = Mayors of Atlanta, Georgia | publisher = The Political Graveyard | date = | url = http://www.politicalgraveyard.com/geo/GA/ofc/atlanta.html | accessdate = 2008-03-07}}</ref> [[Maynard Jackson]] served two terms and was succeeded by [[Andrew Young]] in 1982. Jackson returned for a third term in 1990 and was succeeded by [[Bill Campbell (mayor)|Bill Campbell]]. In 2001, Shirley Franklin became the first woman to be elected Mayor of Atlanta, and the first African-American woman to serve as mayor of a major southern city.<ref>{{cite web | author = Josh Fecht and Andrew Stevens | title = Shirley Franklin: Mayor of Atlanta | publisher = City Mayors | date = 2007-11-14 | url = http://www.citymayors.com/usa/atlanta.html | accessdate = 2008-01-27}}</ref> She was re-elected for a second term in 2005, winning 90% of the vote. Atlanta city politics during the Campbell administration suffered from a notorious reputation for corruption, and in 2006 a federal jury convicted former mayor [[Bill Campbell (mayor)|Bill Campbell]] on three counts of tax evasion in connection with gambling income he received while Mayor during trips he took with city contractors.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Atlanta's former mayor sentenced to prison | work = CNN online | publisher = CNN | date = [[June 13]], [[2006]] | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/06/13/mayor.sentenced/index.html | format = | accessdate = 2008-01-02}}</ref> As the [[state capital]], Atlanta is the site of most of Georgia's state government. The [[Georgia State Capitol]] building, located downtown, houses the offices of the [[Governor of Georgia|governor]], lieutenant governor and secretary of state, as well as the [[Georgia General Assembly|General Assembly]]. The [[Georgia Governor's Mansion|Governor's Mansion]] is located on [[Pace's Ferry|West Paces Ferry Road]], in a residential section of Buckhead. Atlanta is also home to [[Georgia Public Broadcasting]] headquarters and [[Peachnet]], and is the county seat of Fulton County, with which it shares responsibility for the [[Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System]]. ===Crime=== According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report, Atlanta recorded 90 homicides in 2005, down from 151 in 2004. Violent crime in 2005 was the lowest since 1969.{{Failed verification|date=May 2008}}<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | title = Atlanta's violent crime at lowest level since '69 | work = The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | date = | url = http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2006/09/27/metcrime0927a.html | accessdate = 2006-09-29 | archiveurl= | archivedate= }}</ref> However, Atlanta's incident rate for violent crimes is somewhat higher than for most other major U.S. cities.<ref>{{cite web| last = Sugg | first = John |url=http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A255192 | title=Crime is up and the Mayor is out| publisher= Creative Loafing | accessdate= 2008-05-05}}</ref> Atlanta's Mayor Franklin is a member of the [[Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/about/members.shtml| title=Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members | publisher= Mayors Against Illegal Guns | accessdate= 2007-09-28}}</ref> an organization formed in 2006 and co-chaired by [[New York City]] mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] and [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] mayor [[Thomas Menino]]. ===Surrounding cities=== {{main|Atlanta metropolitan area}} The population of the Atlanta region spreads across a metropolitan area of {{convert|8376|sqmi|km2|0}} – a land area larger than that of [[Massachusetts]].<ref name="MACOC-growth">{{cite web | title = Atlanta MSA Growth Statistics | publisher = Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce | date= 05-2006 | url = http://www.metroatlantachamber.com/macoc/business/img/MSAGrowthStatsReport2006.pdf | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> Because Georgia contains more counties than any other state east of the [[Mississippi River]] (an accident of history explained by the now-defunct [[County Unit System|county unit system]] of weighing votes in [[primary election]]s),<ref>{{cite web | title = States, Counties, and Statistically Equivalent Entities | work = Geographic Areas Reference Manual | publisher = U.S. Department of Commerce | date= 11-1994 | url = http://www.census.gov/geo/www/GARM/Ch4GARM.pdf | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> area residents live under a heavily decentralized collection of governments. As of the 2000 census, fewer than one in ten residents of the metropolitan area lived inside Atlanta city proper.<ref>{{cite web | title = Atlanta in Focus: A Profile from Census 2000 | publisher = The Brookings Institution | date= 11-2003 | url = http://www.brookings.edu/es/urban/livingcities/atlanta.htm | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> A 2006 survey by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce counted 140 cities and towns in the 28-county metropolitan statistical area in mid-2005.<ref name="MACOC-growth" /> Four cities – [[Sandy Springs]], [[Johns Creek]], [[Milton]], and [[Chattahoochee Hill Country]] – have incorporated or won legislative approval for incorporation since then.<ref>{{cite web | last = Segal | first = Geoffrey | title = The Real Sandy Springs Effect | work = Reason.org | publisher = The Reason Foundation | date= 2005-12-02 | url = http://www.reason.org/commentaries/segal_20051202.shtml | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2005_06/search/hb1470.htm| title=HB 1470 - Milton, City of; provide charter | date= 2006-10-11 | publisher= Georgia General Assembly | accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/sum/hb1321.htm| title=HB 1321 - Johns Creek, City of; incorporate | date= 2006-10-11 | publisher= Georgia General Assembly | accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> Atlanta's environs include the following suburbs, listed in order of population:<ref>{{cite web | last = Brinkhoff | first = Thomas (editor) | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Georgia cities' populations | work = City Population | publisher = | date = | url = http://www.citypopulation.de/USA-Georgia.html | format = | accessdate = 2008-03-21 }}</ref> {{Col-begin}} {{Col-1-of-2}} *[[Roswell, Georgia|Roswell]]: Pop. 87,802 *[[Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs]]: Pop. 85,771 *[[Marietta, Georgia|Marietta]]: Pop. 63,152 *[[Johns Creek, Georgia|Johns Creek]]: Pop. 62,049 *[[Smyrna, Georgia|Smyrna]]: Pop. 48,632 *[[Alpharetta, Georgia|Alpharetta]]: Pop. 43,424 *[[East Point, Georgia|East Point]]: Pop. 42,204 *[[Peachtree City, Georgia|Peachtree City]]: Pop. 34,947 *[[Gainesville, Georgia]]: Pop. 32,444 *[[Kennesaw, Georgia|Kennesaw]]: Pop. 30,936 *[[Douglasville, Georgia|Douglasville]]: Pop. 27,870 *[[Lawrenceville, Georgia|Lawrenceville]]: Pop. 28,851 *[[Newnan, Georgia|Newnan]]: Pop. 27,097 *[[Cartersville, Georgia|Cartersville]]: Pop. 25,838 {{Col-2-of-2}} *[[Duluth, Georgia|Duluth]]: Pop. 24,206 *[[Griffin, Georgia|Griffin]]: Pop. 23,424 *[[Forest Park, Georgia|Forest Park]]: Pop. 22,080 *[[Stockbridge, Georgia|Stockbridge]]: Pop. 22,045 *[[Carrollton, Georgia|Carrollton]]: Pop. 21,878 *[[Woodstock, Georgia|Woodstock]]: Pop. 21,482 *[[College Park, Georgia|College Park]]: Pop. 20,533 *[[Milton, Georgia|Milton]]: Pop. 20,000 *[[Snellville, Georgia|Snellville]]: Pop. 19,983 *[[Decatur, Georgia|Decatur]]: Pop. 19,053 *[[Canton, Georgia]]: Pop 17,685 *[[McDonough, Georgia|McDonough]]: Pop. 15,523 *[[Riverdale, Georgia|Riverdale]]: Pop. 14,478 *[[Fayetteville, Georgia|Fayetteville]]: Pop. 14,363 *[[Stone Mountain, Georgia|Stone Mountain]]: Pop. 7,145 *[[Clarkston, Georgia|Clarkston]]: Pop. 7,231 {{Col-end}} ==Education== [[Image:Emory-university-quad.jpg|thumb|[[Emory University]]'s Quadrangle]] ===Colleges and universities=== Atlanta has more than 30 institutions of [[higher education]], including the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]], a predominant engineering and research university that has been ranked in the top ten public universities since 1999 by US News and World Report, and [[Georgia State University]]. The city also hosts the [[Atlanta University Center]], a consortium of historically [[Black (people)|black]] colleges and universities. Its members include [[Clark Atlanta University]], [[Morehouse College]], [[Spelman College]], and the [[Interdenominational Theological Center]]. Adjoining the AUC schools, but independent from them, is the [[Morehouse School of Medicine]]. The [[Savannah College of Art and Design]] opened a Midtown Atlanta, campus in 2005 and shortly thereafter bought out and closed the [[Atlanta College of Art]]. Also in the city are the [[John Marshall Law School (Atlanta)]] and the [[Reformed Theological Seminary]]. Suburban Atlanta contains several colleges, including [[Emory University]], an internationally prominent liberal arts and research institution that has been ranked as one of the top 20 schools in the United States by US News and World Report; [[Oglethorpe University]], named for the founder of Georgia; [[Agnes Scott College]], an all-women's college; and several state-run institutions such as [[Clayton State University]], [[Southern Polytechnic State University]], [[Kennesaw State University]] and [[Georgia Perimeter College]]. ===Elementary and secondary schools=== [[Image:Ab30 (147).jpg|thumb|right|Part of the [[Henry W. Grady High School]] Campus in [[Midtown Atlanta]].]] {{Main|List of schools in Atlanta, Georgia}} The public school system ([[Atlanta Public Schools]]) is run by the Atlanta Board of Education with superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall. As of 2007, the system has an active enrollment of 49,773 students, attending a total of 106 schools: including 58 elementary schools (three of which operate on a year-round calendar), 16 middle schools, 20 high schools, and 7 charter schools.<ref name="APS">{{cite web | title = 2007-2008 APS Fast Facts | publisher = Atlanta Public Schools | url = http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/content/aps/FastFacts07.pdf | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> The school system also supports two alternative schools for middle and/or high school students, two single gender academies, and an adult learning center.<ref name="APS"/> The school system also owns and operates radio station [[WABE-FM]] 90.1, a [[National Public Radio]] affiliate, and [[Public Broadcasting System]] television station WPBA 30. == Transportation == [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]] {{airport codes|ATL|KATL}}, the world's busiest airport as measured by [[World's busiest airports by passenger traffic|passenger traffic]] and by [[World's busiest airports by traffic movements|aircraft traffic]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Tharpe|url=http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2007/01/04/0104airport.html|title=Atlanta airport still the "busiest": Hartsfield-Jackson nips Chicago's O'hare for second year in a row|publisher=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=2007-01-04|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070106042352/http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2007/01/04/0104airport.html|archivedate=2007-01-06 |accessdate=2007-09-28}}</ref> provides air service between Atlanta and many national and international destinations. Situated {{nowrap|10 miles}} ({{nowrap|16 km}}) south of downtown, the airport covers most of the land inside a wedge formed by [[Interstate 75]], [[Interstate 85]], and [[Interstate 285]]. The MARTA rail system has a station within the airport terminal, and provides direct service to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs. The major [[general aviation]] airports near the city proper are [[DeKalb-Peachtree Airport]] {{airport codes|PDK|KPDK}} and [[Fulton County Airport (Georgia)|Brown Field]] {{airport codes|FTY|KFTY}}. See [[List of airports in the Atlanta area]] for a more complete listing. With a comprehensive network of freeways that radiate out from the city, Atlantans rely on their cars as the dominant mode of transportation in the region – a fact that leads some to call the city "the [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] of the South."<ref>{{cite web | title = Atlanta: Smart Travel Tips | work = Fodor's | publisher = Fodor's Travel | url = http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=atlanta@15&cur_section=tra&pg=2 | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> Atlanta is mostly encircled by [[Interstate 285]], a [[beltway]] locally known as "the Perimeter" which has come to mark the boundary between the interior of the region and its surrounding [[suburb]]s. [[Image:MARTA - N3 Station.jpg|thumb|right|[[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority]] provides public transportation in Atlanta]] [[Image:Atlanta 75.85.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Downtown Connector]], with the [[downtown Atlanta|downtown]] skyline in the background]] [[Image:Midtown MARTA Bus.jpg|thumb|right|A MARTA bus]] Three major [[interstate highways]] converge in Atlanta; [[Interstate 20|I-20]] runs east to west across town, while I-75 runs from northwest to southeast, and I-85 runs from northeast to southwest. The latter two combine to form the [[Downtown Connector]] (I-75/85) through the middle of the city. The combined highway carries more than 340,000 vehicles per day. The Connector is one of the ten most congested segments of interstate highway in the United States.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.forbes.com/2006/02/06/cx_bm_0207trafficslide_6.html?thisSpeed=6000| work=Worst City Choke Points | title= Atlanta, I-75 at I-85 | publisher=Forbes.com| accessdate=2006-04-02}}</ref> The intersection of I-85 and I-285 in [[Doraville, Georgia|Doraville]] – officially called the [[Tom Moreland Interchange]], is known to most residents as [[Spaghetti Junction]].<ref>>{{cite web| url=http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/traffic/roadwords.html| work=AJC Online | title= Atlanta Road Lingo | publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution| accessdate=2006-05-05}}</ref> Metropolitan Atlanta is approached by thirteen freeways. In addition to the aforementioned interstates, [[I-575]], [[Georgia 400]], [[Georgia 141]], [[I-675]], [[Georgia 316]], [[I-985]], Stone Mountain Freeway ([[US 78]]), and Langford Parkway (SR 166) all terminate just within or beyond the Perimeter, with the exception of Langford Parkway, limiting the transportation options in the central city. This strong automotive reliance has resulted in heavy [[traffic]] and contributes to Atlanta's [[air pollution]], which has made Atlanta one of the more polluted cities in the country.<ref>{{cite web | last = Copeland | first = Larry | title = Atlanta pollution going nowhere | work = USA TODAY | publisher = Gannett Co. Inc | date= 2001-01-31 | url = http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2001/2001-01-31-atlanta-pollution.htm | accessdate = 2007-09-28 }}</ref> In recent years, the Atlanta metro area has ranked at or near the top of the longest average commute times in the U.S. [[The Clean Air Campaign]] was created in 1996 to help reduce pollution in metro Atlanta. Notwithstanding heavy automotive usage, Atlanta's [[rapid transit|subway]] system, operated by [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority]] (MARTA), is the [[List of United States Rapid Transit systems by Ridership|seventh busiest in the country]].<ref name=APTA>American Public Transportation Association, [http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership/riderep/documents/07q4hr.pdf Heavy Rail Transit Ridership Report], Fourth Quarter 2007.</ref> MARTA also operates a [[bus]] system within Fulton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett Counties. Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties each operate separate, autonomous transit authorities, using buses but no trains. Atlanta has a reputation as being one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians,<ref name="Bennett">{{cite web| last=Bennett | first=D.L. | coauthors=Duane D. Stanford | title=Atlanta the Second Most Dangerous City in America for Pedestrians| publisher= Perimeter Transportation Coalition| work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution | date= 2000-06-16| accessdate=2007-09-28 | url=http://www.perimetergo.org/Newsroom/press_clippings/ajc_pedsafety.html}}</ref> as far back as 1949 when the ''[[Gone with the Wind]]'' author [[Margaret Mitchell]] was struck by a speeding car and killed while crossing [[Peachtree Street]].<ref>">{{cite web| title=Margaret Mitchell| publisher= Encyclopaedia Britannica| work=Encyclopaedia Britannica Online| accessdate=2008-05-05 | url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9053019/Margaret-Mitchell}}</ref> The proposed [[Beltline (Atlanta)|Beltline]] would create a greenway and public transit system in a circle around the city from a series of mostly abandoned rail lines. This rail [[Right-of-way (railroad)|right-of-way]] would also accommodate multi-use [[trails]] connecting a string of existing and new parks. In addition, there is a proposed [[streetcar]] project that would create a streetcar line along Peachtree Street from downtown to the Buckhead area as well as possibly another East-West MARTA line. Atlanta began as a railroad town and it still serves as a major rail junction, with several freight lines belonging to [[Norfolk Southern]] and [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] intersecting below street level in downtown. It is the home of major [[classification yard]]s for both railroads, Inman Yard on the NS and Tilford Yard on the CSX. Long-distance passenger service is provided by [[Amtrak]]'s [[Crescent (Amtrak)|Crescent train]], which connects Atlanta with many cities. The [[Peachtree Station|Amtrak station]] is located several miles north of downtown - and it lacks a connection to the MARTA rail system. An ambitious, long-standing proposal would create a Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal downtown, adjacent to Philips Arena and the Five Points MARTA station, which would link, in a single facility, MARTA bus and rail, intercity bus services, proposed commuter rail services to other Georgia cities, and Amtrak. [[Greyhound Lines]] provides intercity bus service between Atlanta and many locations throughout the United States (from coast to coast), Canada, and the Mexican border. ==Sister cities== Atlanta has eighteen [[town twinning|sister cities]], as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/GA| title= Online Directory: Georgia, USA| publisher=Sister Cities International| accessdate=2007-09-28}}</ref> {| | valign="top" | *{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]] *{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]] *{{flagicon|Benin}} [[Cotonou]], [[Benin]] *{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Daegu]], [[South Korea]] *{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]], [[Japan]] *{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]] *{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Montego Bay]], [[Jamaica]] *{{flagicon|UK}} [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]], [[United Kingdom]] *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Nuremberg]] (Nürnberg), [[Germany]] | valign="top" | *{{flagicon|Greece}} [[Olympia, Greece|Ancient Olympia]], [[Greece]] *{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] *{{flagicon|Israel}} [[Ra'anana]], [[Israel]] *{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[São Caetano do Sul]], [[Brazil]] *{{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} [[Salcedo, Dominican Republic|Salcedo]], [[Dominican Republic]] *{{flagicon|Austria}} [[Salzburg]], [[Austria]] *{{flagicon|Republic of China}} [[Taipei]], [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] *{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Tbilisi]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] *{{flagicon|France}} [[Toulouse]], [[France]] |} ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==References== {{refbegin}} *Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events: Years of Change and Challenge, 1940-1976 by Franklin M. Garrett, Harold H. Martin *''Atlanta, Then and Now''. Part of the Then and Now book series. *{{cite book | last = Craig | first = Robert | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Atlanta Architecture: Art Deco to Modern Classic, 1929-1959 | publisher = Pelican | date = 1995 | location = Gretna, LA | id = ISBN0-88289-961-9 }} *Darlene R. Roth and Andy Ambrose. ''Metropolitan Frontiers: A short history of Atlanta''. Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1996. An overview of the city's history with an emphasis on its growth. *Sjoquist, Dave (ed.) ''The Atlanta Paradox.'' New York: Russell Sage Foundation. 2000. *Stone, Clarence. ''Regime Politics: Governing Atlanta, 1946-1988.'' University Press of Kansas. 1989. *Elise Reid Boylston. ''Atlanta: Its Lore, Legends and Laughter''. Doraville: privately printed, 1968. Lots of neat anecdotes about the history of the city. *Frederick Allen. ''Atlanta Rising''. Atlanta: Longstreet Press, 1996. A detailed history of Atlanta from 1946 to 1996, with much about City Councilman, later Mayor, William B. Hartsfield's work in making Atlanta a major air transport hub, and about the [[American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)|American Civil Rights Movement]] as it affected (and was affected by) Atlanta. {{refend}} == External links == {{commons|Atlanta, Georgia}} {{sisterlinks|Atlanta}} * [http://www.atlantaga.gov/ Official Website] * [http://www.atlantapd.org/index.asp?nav=MW Atlanta Police Department] * [http://www.atlanta.net Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau] *[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Home.jsp Entry in the New Georgia Encyclopedia] * [http://www.atlantatimemachine.com/ Atlanta Time Machine] * [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/atlanta/ Atlanta, Georgia, a National Park Service ''Discover Our Shared Heritage'' Travel Itinerary] * [[:wikitravel:Atlanta|Atlanta travel guide]] from [[Wikitravel]] {{Atlanta, Georgia}} {{Atlanta Metro}} {{Atlanta landmarks}} {{DeKalb County, Georgia}} {{Fulton County, Georgia}} {{Georgia}} {{United States state capitals}} {{USLargestCities}} {{USLargestMetros}} {{Olympic Summer Games Host Cities}} [[Category:Settlements established in 1845]] [[Category:Atlanta, Georgia| ]] [[Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)]] [[Category:Host cities of the Summer Olympic Games]] [[Category:United States communities with African American majority populations|Atlanta]] [[Category:County seats in Georgia (U.S. state)]] [[Category:Atlanta metropolitan area]] [[af:Atlanta]] [[ar:أتلانتا، جورجيا]] [[ast:Atlanta]] [[bs:Atlanta]] [[bg:Атланта]] [[ca:Atlanta]] [[cs:Atlanta]] [[da:Atlanta]] [[de:Atlanta]] [[et:Atlanta]] [[el:Ατλάντα]] [[es:Atlanta]] [[eo:Atlanta (Georgio)]] [[eu:Atlanta]] [[fa:آتلانتا]] [[fr:Atlanta]] [[ga:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[gl:Atlanta, Xeorxia]] [[ko:애틀랜타]] [[hi:अटलांटा]] [[hr:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[io:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[id:Atlanta]] [[ia:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[is:Atlanta]] [[it:Atlanta]] [[he:אטלנטה]] [[pam:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[ka:ატლანტა]] [[ht:Atlanta (Djòdji)]] [[la:Atlanta (Georgia)]] [[lv:Atlanta]] [[lt:Atlanta]] [[hu:Atlanta]] [[mr:अटलांटा]] [[nl:Atlanta]] [[new:एट्लान्टा]] [[ja:アトランタ]] [[no:Atlanta]] [[nn:Atlanta]] [[oc:Atlanta]] [[pl:Atlanta]] [[pt:Atlanta]] [[ro:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[ru:Атланта (Джорджия)]] [[sq:Atlanta]] [[scn:Atlanta]] [[simple:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[sk:Atlanta]] [[sr:Атланта]] [[sh:Atlanta]] [[fi:Atlanta]] [[sv:Atlanta]] [[ta:அட்லான்டா]] [[th:แอตแลนตา]] [[vi:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[tr:Atlanta, Georgia]] [[uk:Атланта (Джорджія)]] [[ur:اٹلانٹا، جارجیا]] [[vo:Atlanta]] [[yi:אטלאנטא]] [[zh-yue:亞特蘭大]] [[zh:亚特兰大]]