Georgia (U.S. state)
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{{United States |
Name = Georgia|
Fullname = State of Georgia|
Flag = Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg |
Flaglink = [[Flag of Georgia (U.S. state)|Flag of Georgia]] |
Seal = Seal of the State of Georgia.svg |
Seallink = [[Seal of Georgia (U.S. state)|Seal of Georgia]] |
Map = Map of USA GA.svg |
Nickname = Peach State, Empire State of the South |
Motto = Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation |
Demonym = Georgian |
Capital = [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] |
LargestCity = [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] |
LargestMetro = [[Atlanta metropolitan area|Atlanta metro area]] |
Governor = [[Sonny Perdue]] (R)|
Lieutenant Governor = [[Casey Cagle]] (R)|
Senators = [[Saxby Chambliss]] (R)<br/>[[Johnny Isakson]] (R) |
PostalAbbreviation = GA |
OfficialLang = English |
AreaRank = 24<sup>th</sup> |
TotalAreaUS = 59,425 |
TotalArea = 153,909 |
LandAreaUS = 57,906|
LandArea = 149,976 |
WaterAreaUS = 1,519|
WaterArea = 3,933 |
PCWater = 2.6 |
PopRank = 9<sup>th</sup> |
2000Pop = 8,186,453 |
Population = 9,363,941 |
DensityRank = 18<sup>th</sup> |
2000DensityUS = 141.4 |
2000Density = 54.59 |
MedianHouseholdIncome = $43,217 |
IncomeRank = 28<sup>th</sup> |
AdmittanceOrder = 4<sup>th</sup> |
AdmittanceDate = [[January 2]], [[1788]] |
TimeZone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]-5/[[Daylight saving time|-4]] |
Latitude = 33.762° N |
Longitude = 84.422° W |
WidthUS = 230 |
Width = 370 |
LengthUS = 298 |
Length = 480 |
HighestPoint = [[Brasstown Bald]]<ref name=usgs>{{cite web| date =[[29 April]] [[2005]] | url =http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest| title =Elevations and Distances in the United States| publisher =U.S Geological Survey| accessmonthday = [[November 3]] | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> |
HighestElevUS = 4,784 |
HighestElev = 1,458 |
MeanElevUS = 591 |
MeanElev = 180 |
LowestPoint = [[Atlantic Ocean]]<ref name=usgs/>|
LowestElevUS = 0 |
LowestElev = 0 |
ISOCode = US-GA |
Website = www.georgia.gov
}}
{{distinguish|Georgia (country)}}
'''Georgia''' ({{IPAEng|ˈdʒɔɹdʒə}}) is one of the fifty United States, in the [[Southeastern United States]] and was one of the original [[Thirteen Colonies]] that revolted against [[United Kingdom|British]] rule in the [[American Revolution]]. It was the last of the Thirteen Colonies to be established as a colony, in 1733. It was the fourth state to ratify the [[United States Constitution]], on [[January 2]], [[1788]]. It seceded from the Union on [[January 21]], [[1861]] and was one of the original seven [[Confederate States of America|Confederate states]]. It was the last state readmitted to the Union, on [[July 15]], [[1870]]. Georgia is the ninth-largest state in the nation by population, with an estimated 9,544,750 residents as of [[July 1]], [[2007]]. It is also the third fastest-growing state in terms of numeric gain and fifth in terms of percent gain, adding 202,670 residents at a rate of 2.2%. From 2006 to 2007, Georgia had 18 counties among the nation's 100
fastest-growing counties, the most of any state. Georgia is also known as the ''Peach State'' and the ''Empire State of the South''. [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] is the most populous city, and the capital.
Georgia is bordered on the south by [[Florida]]; on the east by the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[South Carolina]]; on the west by [[Alabama]] and by Florida in the extreme southwest; and on the north by [[Tennessee]] and [[North Carolina]]. The northern part of the state is in the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]], a [[mountain range]] in the vast mountain system of the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachians]]. The central [[Piedmont (United States)|piedmont]] extends from the [[foothills]] to the [[fall line]], where the rivers cascade down in elevation to the continental [[coastal plain]] of the southern part of the state. The highest point in Georgia is [[Brasstown Bald]], 4,784 feet (1,458 m); the lowest point is [[sea level]].
With an area of 59,424 square miles (153,909 km²), Georgia is ranked 24th in size among the 50 U.S. states. Georgia is the largest state east of the [[Mississippi River]] in terms of ''land area'', although it is the fourth largest (after [[Michigan]], Florida, and [[Wisconsin]]) in ''total area'', a term which includes expanses of water claimed as state territory.<ref>[http://www.netstate.com/states/tables/st_size.htm States Ranked for Total Area, Land Area, and Water Area - NETSTATE.com], accessed [[December 26]], [[2006]]</ref>
== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
===Boundaries===
Beginning from the Atlantic Ocean, the state's eastern border with South Carolina runs up the [[Savannah River]], northwest to its origin at the [[confluence]] of the [[Tugaloo River|Tugaloo]] and [[Seneca River (Savannah River)|Seneca]] rivers. It then continues up the Tugaloo (originally Tugalo) and into the [[Chattooga River]], its most significant [[tributary]]. These bounds were decided in the 1787 [[Treaty of Beaufort]], and tested in the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] in the two ''Georgia v. South Carolina'' cases in 1922 and 1989.
The border then takes a sharp turn around the tip of [[Rabun County]], at latitude 35°N, though from this point it diverges slightly south (possibly due to later re[[surveying]] with better [[accuracy]]). This originally was the Georgia and North Carolina border all the way back to the Mississippi River, until Tennessee was divided from North Carolina, and Alabama and [[Mississippi]] (the [[Yazoo Lands]]) were taken from Georgia.
The state's western border then departs in another straight line south-southeastward, at a point southwest of [[Chattanooga]], to meet the westernmost point of the [[Chattahoochee River]] near [[West Point, Georgia]]. It continues down to the point where it ends at the [[Flint River (Georgia)|Flint River]] (the confluence of the two forming Florida's [[Apalachicola River]]), and goes almost due east and very slightly south, in a straight line to the origin of the [[Saint Mary's River (Florida/Georgia)|Saint Mary's River]], which then forms the remainder of the boundary back to the ocean.
It should be noted that the water boundaries are still set to be the original [[thalweg]] of the rivers. Since then, several have been inundated by man made lakes, including the [[ACF River Basin|Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint]] point now under [[Lake Seminole]].'''
In 2008, Georgia state legislators claimed that the state's border with Tennessee had been erroneously placed one mile (1.6 km) further south than intended in an 1818 survey, and proposed that the border should be corrected. This would allow Georgia, in the midst of a significant [[drought]], to access water from the [[Tennessee River]].<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-water10feb10,1,1546673.story?track=rss Drought-stricken Georgia eyes Tennessee's border -- and river water] ''Los Angeles Times''.</ref>
===Geology and terrain===
[[Image:Map of Georgia elevations.png|thumb|Map of elevations in Georgia]]
{{main|Geology of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
Georgia is divided into five geologic regions. These include the '''[[Ridge-and-valley Appalachians|Ridge and Valley]]''', the '''[[Blue Ridge Mountains|Blue Ridge]]''', the '''[[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]]''', the '''[[Atlantic Coastal Plain|Coastal Plain]]''', and the '''[[Appalachian Plateau]]'''. Each region has its own distinctive characteristics. For instance the Ridge and Valley, which lies in the northwest corner of the state, includes limestone, sandstone, shale and other sedimentary rocks, which have yielded construction-grade limestone, barite, ocher and small amounts of coal. The Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia are made up of [[metamorphic rock]] as well as [[granite]] and [[diabase]]. The geology of the Piedmont includes schist, amphibolite, gneiss, migmatite, and granite while the primary resource of the Coastal Plain is [[kaolin]].<ref>For an overview of Georgia's geology, see "[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/ArticlePrintable.jsp?id=h-1159 Geologic Regions of Georgia:
Overview]" in ''The New Georgia Encyclopedia''. Retrieved [[September 9]], [[2007]].</ref>
=== Flora and fauna ===
{{main article|Ecology of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
Georgia has a diverse mix of flora and fauna. The State of Georgia has approximately 250 tree species and 58 protected plants. Georgia's native trees include red cedar, a variety of pines, oaks, maples, sweetgum and scaly-bark and white hickories, as well as many others. Yellow jasmine, flowering quince, and mountain laurel make up just a few of the flowering shrubs in the state.
Regarding fauna, white-tailed (Virginia) deer can be found in approximately 50 counties. The mockingbird and brown thrasher are just two of the 160 bird species that can be found in the state. The [[eastern diamondback]], [[copperhead]], and [[cottonmouth]] as well as [[salamanders]], [[frogs]], [[alligators]] and [[toads]] are among 79 species of reptile and 63 amphibians that make Georgia their home. The most popular freshwater game fish are [[trout]], [[bream]], [[bass (fish)|bass]], and [[catfish]], all but the last of which are produced in state hatcheries for restocking. Dolphins, porpoises, whales, shrimp, oysters, and blue crabs are found off the Georgia coast.<ref>[http://www.city-data.com/states/Georgia-Flora-and-fauna.html Georgia - Flora and fauna - city-data.com], accessed [[February 3]], [[2007]]</ref>
===Climate===
{{main|Climate of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
[[Image:National-atlas-georgia.PNG|thumb|right|Map of Georgia]]
The majority of Georgia is primarily a [[humid subtropical climate]] tempered somewhat by occasional polar air masses in the winter. Hot and humid summers are typical, except at the highest elevations. The entire state, including the [[north Georgia mountains]], receives moderate to heavy precipitation, which varies from 45 inches (1143 mm) in central Georgia<ref>[http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0346?from=search Monthly Averages for Macon, GA] ''The Weather Channel''.</ref> to approximately 75 inches (1905 mm) around the Northeast part of the state.<ref>[http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0118?from=search Monthly Averages for Clayton, GA] ''The Weather Channel''.</ref> The degree to which the weather of a certain area of Georgia is subtropical depends not just on the latitude, but also on how close it is to the Atlantic Ocean or [[Gulf of Mexico]] and the altitude. This is especially true in the mountainous
areas in the northern part of the state, which are further away from ocean waters and can be up to 4500 feet (1350 m) or higher above sea level.
The areas near the Florida/Georgia border, extending from the entire Georgia coastline west to the Florida panhandle, experiences the most subtropical weather, similar to that of Florida: hot, humid summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and mild, somewhat drier winters. These areas experience snow much less frequently than other parts of Georgia. The Georgia Piedmont area is somewhat cooler in winter than the coastal areas. The southern areas of the Piedmont may receive snow every other year, while areas close to the foothills get snow several times a year. This part of Georgia is especially vulnerable to [[Freezing rain|ice storms]]. The mountains of Georgia have the coolest climate and most frequent snowfall in the state, although snowfall is less than any other part of the Appalachian Mountains.
In spite of having moderate weather compared to many other states, Georgia has occasional extreme weather. The highest temperature ever recorded is 112 °F (44.4 °C),<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wheat7.htm Each state's high temperature record] ''USA Today, last updated August 2006''.</ref> while the lowest ever recorded is -17 °F (-27.2 °C).<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wcstates.htm Each state's low temperature record] ''USA Today, last updated August 2006''</ref> Georgia is one of the leading states in incidents of tornadoes. The areas closest to the Florida border get the same small [[Fujita scale|F0 and F1]] tornadoes associated with summer afternoon thunderstorms. However, it is very uncommon for tornadoes to become severe (over F3). A tornado hit downtown Atlanta, Georgia on Friday March 14, 2008 causing moderate to severe damage due to all the broken glass on the skyscrapers. As of April 10th parts of Peachtree Street, the main thourghfare in Atlanta, is still
closed because of the damage. The SEC basketball tournament and a few conventions were ongoing at the time of impact and some injuries occurred due to the amount of people downtown. As it is on the Atlantic coast, Georgia is also vulnerable to [[hurricane]]s, although the Georgia coastline only rarely experiences a direct hurricane strike. More common are hurricanes which strike the Florida panhandle, weaken over land, and bring strong [[tropical storm]] winds and heavy rain to the Georgia interior, as well as hurricanes that come close to the Georgia coastline, brushing the coast on their [[recurvature]] on the way up to hit [[The Carolinas]].
In 2006 and 2007, however, Georgia has had severe droughts, especially in 2007. Temperatures over 100 degrees have been recorded.
{| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:120%;background:#E8EAFA;"|Monthly average daily high and low temperatures for major Georgia cities
|- style="background: #E5AFAA;text-align:center;"
! City
! Jan
! Feb
! Mar
! Apr
! May
! Jun
! Jul
! Aug
! Sep
! Oct
! Nov
! Dec
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-align:center;"
! Athens
| 51/11<br>33/1
| 56/13<br>35/2
| 65/18<br>42/6
| 73/23<br>49/9
| 80/27<br>58/14
| 87/31<br>65/18
| 90/32<br>69/21
| 88/31<br>68/20
| 82/28<br>63/17
| 73/23<br>51/11
| 63/17<br>42/6
| 54/12<br>35/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Atlanta
| 52/11<br>34/1
| 57/14<br>36/2
| 65/18<br>44/7
| 73/23<br>50/10
| 80/27<br>60/16
| 86/30<br>67/19
| 89/32<br>71/22
| 88/31<br>70/21
| 82/28<br>64/18
| 73/23<br>53/12
| 63/17<br>44/7
| 55/13<br>36/2
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-align:center;"
! Augusta
| 56/13<br>33/1
| 61/16<br>36/4
| 69/21<br>42/6
| 77/25<br>48/9
| 84/29<br>57/14
| 90/32<br>65/18
| 92/33<br>70/21
| 90/32<br>68/20
| 85/29<br>62/17
| 76/24<br>50/10
| 68/20<br>41/5
| 59/15<br>35/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Columbus
| 57/14<br>37/3
| 62/17<br>39/4
| 69/21<br>46/8
| 76/24<br>52/11
| 83/28<br>61/16
| 90/32<br>69/21
| 92/33<br>72/22
| 91/32<br>72/22
| 86/30<br>66/19
| 77/25<br>54/12
| 68/20<br>46/8
| 59/15<br>39/4
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-align:center;"
! Macon
| 57/14<br>34/1
| 61/16<br>37/3
| 68/20<br>44/7
| 76/24<br>50/10
| 83/28<br>59/15
| 90/32<br>67/19
| 92/33<br>70/21
| 90/32<br>70/21
| 85/29<br>64/18
| 77/25<br>51/11
| 68/20<br>42/6
| 59/15<br>36/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Savannah
| 60/16<br>38/3
| 64/18<br>41/5
| 71/22<br>48/9
| 78/26<br>53/12
| 84/29<br>61/16
| 90/32<br>68/20
| 92/33<br>72/22
| 90/32<br>71/22
| 86/30<br>67/19
| 78/26<br>56/13
| 70/21<br>47/8
| 63/17<br>40/4
|-
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;background:#E8EAFA;"|''Temperatures are given in [[°F]]/[[°C]] format, with highs on top of lows. [http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-georgia/]''
|}
===Protected lands===
{{main article|Protected areas of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
Georgia is home to 63 parks, 48 of which are state parks and 15 that are historic sites, and numerous state wildlife preserves, under the supervision of the [[Georgia Department of Natural Resources]].<ref>[http://www.gadnr.org/ Georgia Department of Natural Resources gadnr.org], accessed [[May 13]], [[2007]]</ref> Other historic sites and parks are supervised by the [[National Park Service]] and include the [[Andersonville National Historic Site]] in [[Andersonville, Georgia|Andersonville]]; [[Appalachian National Scenic Trail]]; [[Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area]] near [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]]; [[Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park]] at [[Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia|Fort Oglethorpe]]; [[Cumberland Island National Seashore]] near [[Saint Marys, Georgia|Saint Marys]]; [[Fort Frederica National Monument]] on [[St. Simons Island, Georgia|St. Simons Island]]; [[Fort Pulaski National Monument]] in [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]]; [[Jimmy Carter National Historic Site]] near [[Plains, Georgia|Plains]]; [[Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park]] near [[Kennesaw, Georgia|Kennesaw]]; [[Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site]] in Atlanta; [[Ocmulgee National Monument]] at [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]]; [[Trail of Tears National Historic Trail]].<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/state/ga/ National Park Service nps.gov], accessed [[May 13]], [[2007]]</ref>
== History ==
{{main|History of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
===Early history===
The local [[Mound builder (people)|moundbuilder]] culture, described by [[Hernando de Soto (explorer)|Hernando de Soto]] in 1540, completely disappeared by 1560. Early on, in the course of European exploration of the area, a number of [[Spain|Spanish]] explorers visited the [[inland]] region of Georgia.
The conflict between Spain and [[Kingdom of England|England]] over control of Georgia began in earnest in about 1670, when the English founded the [[Province of Carolina|Carolina]] colony in present-day South Carolina. Nearly a century earlier, the Spanish of [[Spanish Florida]] had established the missionary provinces of [[Guale]] and [[Mocama]] on the coast and [[Sea Islands]] of present-day Georgia. After decades of fighting, the Carolinians and allied Indians permanently destroyed the Spanish mission system during the invasions of 1702 and 1704. After 1704, Spanish control was limited to [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]] and [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]], both in nowaday's Florida. The Florida peninsula was subjected to raids as far as the [[Florida Keys]]. The coast of Georgia was occupied by now [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]]-allied Indians such as the [[Yamasee]] until the [[Yamasee War]] of 1715-1717, after which the region was depopulated, opening up the possibility of a new British
colony. In 1724, it was first suggested the British colony there be called [[Province of Georgia]] in honor of King [[George II of Great Britain|George II]].
British interest in establishing a colony below South Carolina came from varied sources. [[Spanish Florida]] was a threat to South Carolina and a haven for runaway slaves. The [[France|French]] in the 1720s established a [[fort]] near present-day [[Montgomery, Alabama]], also a threat to British interests in the region. Traders from [[Charleston, South Carolina]], had established [[trading post]]s as far west as the [[Ocmulgee River]], near present-day [[Macon, Georgia]]. The British trading network kept the [[Creek people|Creek Indians]] allied with them; the French move threatened to wrest these Indians' trade away from the British. These strategic interests made the British government interested in establishing a new colony that would reinforce the British influence in the border country that had been open to Spanish and French penetration.
Meanwhile, many members of the [[British Parliament]] had become concerned about the plight of England's debtors. A parliamentary committee investigated and reported on conditions in Britain's debtor prisons. A group of [[philanthropist]]s organized themselves to establish a colony where the "worthy poor" of England could reestablish themselves as productive citizens. This goal was seen as both philanthropic, helping these distressed people, and patriotic, simultaneously relieving Britain of the burden of the imprisoned debtors and augmenting Britain's vital mercantile empire by planting new, industrious subjects to strengthen her trade. This goal went unfulfilled as Georgia was ultimately not settled by debtors or convicts.
In 1732, a group of these philanthropists were granted a royal charter as the Trustees of the Province of Georgia. They carefully selected the first group of colonists to send to the new colony. On [[12 February]] [[1733]], 113 settlers landed in the ''Anne'' at what was to become the city of [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]]. This day is now known as [[Georgia Day]], which is not a [[public holiday]] but is mainly observed in schools and by some local [[civic group]]s. [[James Edward Oglethorpe]], one of the trustees of the colony, traveled with the first group of colonists, laid out the design of the town of Savannah, and acted as governor of the colony, although technically under the trustees there was no "governor." Oglethorpe acted as the only trustee present in the colony. When he returned to Britain, a series of disputes ended his tenure governing the colony; Georgia was then led by a series of presidents named by the trustees.
At the time Georgia was founded in 1732, the number of non-English immigrants to the colonies was at an all time high. Although religious toleration was not valued in itself, the pragmatic need to attract settlers led to broad religious freedoms. South Carolina wanted German [[Lutherans]], Scottish [[Presbyterians]], [[Moravians]], French [[Huguenots]] and [[Jews]], whom they valued as a counter to the French and Spanish Catholic and absolutist presence to the south. When the Moravians turned out to be pacifists who refused to serve in the colonial defense, they were expelled in 1738. Catholics were denied the right to own property. Jewish immigrants fleeing the [[Spanish Inquisition]], which was being carried out by the Spanish colonies in the New World, were allowed in after some debate, owing to the leadership of James Oglethorpe. In 1733, over forty Jews fleeing persecution arrived in Savannah, the largest such group to enter an American colony up to that time. Among them was Dr. Samuel Nunez,
who was the first doctor in Georgia. He immediately showed his value as a citizen by playing an invaluable role in curbing an epidemic that had already killed scores of settlers, perhaps easing the settlement of subsequent Jewish immigrants. <ref>Patricia U. Bonomi, “Under the Cope of Heaven. Religion, Society and Politics in Colonial America”, Oxford University Press, 1986, p 32-33 </ref>
In 1752, after the government failed to renew subsidies that had helped support the colony, the Trustees turned over control to the [[British monarch|crown]]. Georgia became a [[Crown colony#History|crown colony]], with a governor appointed by the British king.<ref>[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-816 Trustee Georgia, 1732-1752]</ref> However, even after Georgia eventually became a royal colony (1752), there were so many dissenters (Protestants of minority denomiations, that is, non-Anglican) that the establishment of the Church of England was successfully resisted until 1752. These [[dissenting churches]] were the mainstay of the Revolutionary movement, culminating in the War for Independence from Britain, through the patriotic and anti-authoritarian sermons of their ministers, and the use of the churches to organize rebellion. Whereas the [[Anglican Church]] tended to preach stability and loyalty to the Crown, other Protestant sects preached heavily from the [[Old Testament]] and
emphasized freedom and equality of all men before God, as well as the moral responsibility to rebel against tyrants. <ref>ibid, Chapter 7 'Religion and the American Revolution'</ref>{{specify}}<!--"Ibid" where? Clearly not the source that *now* precedes it, cause it has no chapters. Somebody with more time please search the edit history.--~~~~-->
[[Province of Georgia|Georgia]] was one of the [[13 colonies|thirteen colonies]] that revolted against [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] rule in the [[American Revolution]] by signing the 1776 [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]], despite a large population of people loyal to the crown. During the war, nearly one-third of the slaves, more than 5,000 enslaved African Americans, exercised their desire for independence by escaping and joining British forces, where they were promised freedom. Some went to Great Britain or the Caribbean; others were resettled in Canada provinces.<ref>[http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/hyperhistorian.cfm Digital History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Other estimates show an even greater impact from the war, when slaves escaped during the disruption. "The sharp decline between 1770 and 1790 in the proportion of the population made up of blacks (almost all of whom were slaves) [went] from 45.2 percent to 36.1 percent in Georgia."<ref>Peter
Kolchin, ''American Slavery: 1619-1877'', New York: Hill and Wang, 1994, p. 73</ref>
Following the war, Georgia became the fourth state of the [[United States of America]] after ratifying the [[United States Constitution]] on [[2 January]] [[1788]]. Georgia established its first state constitution in 1777. The state established new constitutions in 1788, 1799, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1877, 1945, 1976, and 1983, for a total of 10 — more constitutions than any other state, except for Louisiana, which has had 11.
===Confederate history===
{{main|Georgia (U.S. state) in the American Civil War}}
On [[January 18]] [[1861]], Georgia joined the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] and became a major [[Theater (warfare)|theater]] of the [[American Civil War]]. Major battles took place at [[Chickamauga]], [[Kennesaw Mountain]], and Atlanta. In December 1864, a large swath of the state from Atlanta to Savannah was destroyed during General [[William Tecumseh Sherman]]'s [[Sherman's March to the Sea|March to the Sea]]. This event served as the historical background for the 1936 novel ''[[Gone with the Wind]]'' and the [[Gone with the Wind (film)|1939 film]] of the same name. On [[July 15]] [[1870]], following [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]], Georgia became the last former Confederate state to be readmitted to the [[United States|Union]].
===Capitals===
Georgia has had five official [[List of capitals in the United States|state capitals]]: colonial Savannah, which later alternated with [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]]; then for a decade at [[Louisville, Georgia|Louisville]] (pronounced Lewis-ville), and from 1806 through the American Civil War, at [[Milledgeville, Georgia|Milledgeville]]. In 1868, Atlanta became the fifth capital of the state. The [[Georgia General Assembly|state's legislature]] also met at other temporary sites, including [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]], especially during the Civil War.
== Cities ==
[[Image:Atl skyline.JPG|thumb|right|[[Downtown Atlanta|Downtown Atlanta, Georgia]]]]
<!-- [[Image:DowntownMaconFromWest.JPG|thumb|right|Macon, Georgia]]
[[Image:Augustagaskyline.jpg|thumb|right|[[Augusta, Georgia]]]] -->
[[Image:Savannahcity.jpg|thumb|right|[[Savannah, Georgia]]]]
{{See also|Georgia census statistical areas}}
The largest city, Atlanta, is located in north-central Georgia, atop a [[ridge]] southeast of the [[Chattahoochee River]]. The [[Atlanta metropolitan area]] has a population of 5,138,223 (2006 census estimate), though the city proper has fewer than 500,000 people. The city is the central city of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, Ga.-Ala. combined statistical area.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/07s0025.xls] Accessed [[May 15]], [[2007]]</ref>
The state of Georgia has twenty [[metropolitan area|metropolitan]] and [[United States micropolitan area|micropolitan]] areas with populations above fifty-thousand. In descending order, they are Atlanta, [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]], [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]], [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]], [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]], [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]], [[Gainesville, Georgia|Gainesville]], [[Albany, Georgia|Albany]], [[Dalton, Georgia|Dalton]], [[Warner Robins, Georgia|Warner Robins]], [[Valdosta, Georgia|Valdosta]], [[Brunswick, Georgia|Brunswick]], [[Rome, Georgia|Rome]], [[Hinesville, Georgia|Hinesville]], [[LaGrange, Georgia|LaGrange]], [[Statesboro, Georgia|Statesboro]], [[Dublin, Georgia|Dublin]], [[Milledgeville, Georgia|Milledgeville]], [[Waycross, Georgia|Waycross]], and [[Calhoun, Georgia|Calhoun]].<ref>[http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2006-01-13.csv] Accessed [[February 1]], [[2008]].</ref>
===Ten largest cities===
*[[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] - 498,109 people
*[[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]] - 195,182 people
*[[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]] - 188,660 people
*[[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] - 128,500 people
*[[Athens, Georgia|Athens]] - 111,580 people
*[[Macon, Georgia|Macon]] - 97,606 people
*[[Sandy Springs, Georgia|Sandy Springs]] - 85,771 people
*[[Roswell, Georgia|Roswell]] - 79,334 people
*[[Albany, Georgia|Albany]] - 76,939 people
*[[Johns Creek, Georgia|Johns Creek]] - 62,049 people
== Demographics ==
{{USCensusPop
|1790 = 82548
|1800 = 162686
|1810 = 251407
|1820 = 340989
|1830 = 516823
|1840 = 691392
|1850 = 906185
|1860 = 1057286
|1870 = 1184109
|1880 = 1542181
|1890 = 1837353
|1900 = 2216331
|1910 = 2609121
|1920 = 2895832
|1930 = 2908506
|1940 = 3123723
|1950 = 3444578
|1960 = 3943116
|1970 = 4589575
|1980 = 5463105
|1990 = 6478216
|2000 = 8186453
|estyear = 2007
|estimate = 9544750
}}In 2006, Georgia had an estimated population of 9,363,941 which was an increase of 231,388 from the previous year, and an increase of 1,177,125 since 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 438,939 people (that is 849,414 births minus 410,475 deaths) and an increase from net migration of 606,673 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 228,415 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 378,258 people.
As of 2006, Georgia is the 9th most populous state. Its population has grown 44.5% (2,885,725) since 1990, making it one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Beginning with the 1990s, Georgia took over as the fastest-growing state in the South with a 26% population increase during the decade, surpassing its neighbor Florida which had held the title for every decade in the 20th century prior to the 90s. More than half of the state's population lives in the [[Atlanta metro area]]. Nineteen Georgia counties were among the 100 fastest growing counties from 2004 to 2005.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/popest/housing/HU-EST2005-top100.html 100 fastest growing counties], accessed [[November 30]], [[2006]]</ref> The [[center of population]] of Georgia is located in [[Butts County, Georgia|Butts County]], in the city of [[Jackson, Georgia|Jackson]].<ref>[http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt Population Centers by State]</ref>
[[Image:Georgia population map.png|thumb|right|Georgia Population Density Map]]
===Race, language, and age===
{{US Demographics|state=Georgia}}
According to the U.S census, Georgia's population is as follows: 62% [[White]], 28.1% [[African-American]], 2.1% [[Asian American]], 1.2% mixed, and 6% are [[Hispanics]] or Latino (of any race).
As of 2005, 90% of Georgia residents age 5 and older speak only English at home and 5.6% speak [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. [[French language|French]] is the third most spoken language at 0.9%, followed by [[German language|German]] at 0.8% and [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] at 0.6%. As of 2004, 7.7% of its population was reported as under 5 years of age, 26.4% under 18, and 9.6% were 65 or older. Also as of 2004, females made up approximately 50.6% of the population and African Americans made up approximately 29.6%.
Historically, about half of Georgia's population was composed of African Americans who, prior to the Civil War, were almost exclusively enslaved. The [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]] of hundreds of thousands of blacks from the rural South to the industrial North from 1914-1970 reduced the African American population. This population has since increased, with some African Americans returning to the state for new job opportunities.<ref>[http://www.brookings.edu/urban/pubs/20040524_Frey.pdf William H. Frey, "The New Great Migration: Black Americans' Return to the South, 1965-2000", The Brookings Institution, May 2004], accessed 19 May 2008</ref> Today, African Americans remain the most populous race in many rural counties in middle, east-central, southwestern, and Low Country Georgia, as well as in the city of Atlanta and in most of its suburbs. According to census estimates, Georgia ranks fourth among the states in terms of the percent of the total population that is African American.
As of 2005, approximately 2.7% of Georgia's population was [[Asian American]]. Georgia is the nation's third-fastest growing area for Asians, behind only Nevada and North Carolina. Asian buying power in the state was $8.1 billion this year, up from $1.1 billion in 1990, according to statistics from the University of Georgia's Selig Center for Economic Growth.<ref>[http://www.selig.uga.edu/forecast/GBEC/GBEC063Q.pdf Georgia Business and Economic Conditions], Accessed June 21, 2008</ref>
White Georgians, like other Southerners, usually describe their ancestry on the census questionnaire as "American", "United States", or simply "Southern". The colonial settlement of large numbers of [[Scots-Irish American]]s in the mountains and piedmont, and coastal settlement by [[English American]]s and African Americans, have strongly influenced the state's culture in food, language and music.
The concentration of Africans imported to coastal areas in the 18th century repeatedly from rice growing regions of West Africa led to the development of [[Gullah|Gullah-Geechee]] language and culture in the Low Country among African Americans. They share a unique heritage in which African traditions of food, religion and culture were continued more than in some other areas. In the creolization of Southern culture, their foodways became an integral part of all Southern cooking in the Low Country.<ref>[http://www.georgia.org/Travel/Early+Mountain+Life.htm Early Mountain Life], [http://www.well.com/~mp/gAmOrigins.html Who are Americans]</ref>
===Religion===
Like most other Southern states, Georgia is largely Protestant Christian. The religious affiliations of the people of Georgia are as follows:<ref>[http://religions.pewforum.org/maps Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[Protestantism|Protestant]] – 38%
**[[Baptist]] – 16%
**[[Methodism|Methodist]] – 12%
**[[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] – 3%
**[[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] – 3%
*[[Roman Catholicism in the United States|Roman Catholic]] – 12%
*Other Religions – 3%
**Non-Religious – 13%
Georgia shares its Protestant heritage with much of the Southeastern United States. However, the number of Roman Catholics is growing in the state because of the influx of Northeasterners resettling in the Atlanta metro area and also because of large [[Hispanic]] immigration into the state.
Georgia's [[Jewish]] community dates to the settlement of 42 mostly [[Sephardic]] Portuguese Jews in Savannah in 1733. Atlanta also has a large, old, and established Jewish community.
== Economy ==
[[Image:Savannah river street.jpg|thumb|Savannah's River Street is a popular destination among tourists visiting coastal Georgia.]]
[[Image:Georgia Landuse Map.png|thumb|Map showing land use in Georgia]]
Georgia's 2006 total [[gross state product]] was $380 billion.<ref>[http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrel/gspnewsrelease.htm Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by State, 2005]</ref> Its ''per capita'' [[personal income]] for 2005 put it 10th in the nation at $40,155. If Georgia were a stand-alone country, it would be the 28th largest economy in the world.<ref> [http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrelarchive/2006/gsp1006.htm BEA statistics for 2005 GSP - October 26, 2006], Accessed [[May 9]], [[2008]] </ref>
There are 15 Fortune 500 companies and 26 Fortune 1000 companies with headquarters in Georgia, including such names as Home Depot, UPS, Coca Cola, Delta Air Lines, AFLAC, Southern Company, and SunTrust Banks. Georgia has over 1,700 internationally headquartered facilities representing 43 countries, employing more than 112,000 Georgians with an estimated capital investment of $22.7 billion.
===Agriculture and industry===
Georgia's [[agricultural]] outputs are [[poultry]] and [[Egg (food)|eggs]], [[pecans]], [[peach]]es, [[peanut]]s, [[rye]], [[cattle]], [[Hog (swine)|hog]]s, [[dairy product]]s, [[turfgrass]], [[tobacco]], and [[vegetable]]s. Its industrial outputs are [[textile]]s and [[apparel]], [[transport]]ation equipment, [[cigarettes]], food processing, [[paper]] products, [[chemical]] products, [[electric]] equipment. [[Tourism]] also makes an important contribution to the economy. Georgia is home to the Granite Capital of the World ([[Elberton, Georgia|Elberton]]). Atlanta has been the site of enormous growth in real estate, service, and communications industries.
Atlanta has a very large effect on the state of Georgia and the Southeastern United States. The city is an ever growing addition to communications, industry, transportation, tourism, and government. Food is also a major industry in Georgia.
Industry in Georgia is now quite diverse. Major products in the mineral and timber industry include a variety of pines, clays, stones, and sands. Textile industry is located around the cities of Rome, Columbus, Augusta, and Macon. Atlanta is a leading center of tourism, transportation, communications, government, and industry. Some industries there include automobile and aircraft manufacturing, food and chemical processing, printing, publishing, and large corporations. Some of the corporations headquartered in Atlanta are: [[Arby's]], [[Chick-fil-A]], [[The Coca-Cola Company]], [[Georgia Pacific]], [[Hooters]], [[ING Americas]], [[Cox]], and [[Delta Air Lines]]. Major corporations in other parts of the state include: [[Aflac]], [[CareSouth]], [[Home Depot]], [[Newell Rubbermaid]], [[Primerica Financial Services]], [[United Parcel Service]], [[Waffle House]] and [[Zaxby's]].
Several United States military installations are located in Georgia including [[Fort Stewart]], [[Hunter Army Airfield]], [[Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay]], [[Fort Benning]], [[Moody Air Force Base]], [[Robins Air Force Base]], [[Naval Air Station Atlanta]], [[Fort McPherson]], [[Fort Gillem]], [[Fort Gordon]], [[Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany]] [[Dobbins Air Reserve Base]], [[Coast Guard Air Station Savannah]] and Coast Guard Station Brunswick. However, due to the latest round of [[Base Realignment and Closure|BRAC]] cuts, Forts Gillem and McPherson will be closing and NAS Atlanta will be transferred to the [[Georgia National Guard]].
===Energy use and production===
Georgia's electricity generation and consumption are among the highest in the United States, with coal being the primary electrical generation of fuel. However, the state also has two nuclear power plants which contribute one fourth of Georgia's electricity generation. The leading area of energy consumption is the industrial sector due to the fact that Georgia "is a leader in the energy-intensive wood and paper products industry".<ref> [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=GA Energy Information Administration], Accessed [[December 30]], [[2007]] </ref>
===State taxes===
Georgia's personal [[income tax]] ranges from 1% to 6% within six [[tax bracket]]s. There is a 4% state [[sales tax]], which is not applied to [[prescription drug]]s, certain medical devices, and [[groceries]]. Each county may add up to a 2% [[SPLOST]]. Counties participating in [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority|MARTA]] have another 1%; MARTA is the only major metropolitan [[rapid transit]] authority in the U.S. not to receive state funding. The city of Atlanta (in two counties, roughly 90% in Fulton and 10% in Dekalb) has the only city sales tax (1%, total 8%) for fixing its aging [[sewer]]s. Local taxes are almost always charged on groceries but never prescriptions. Up to 1% of a SPLOST can go to [[homestead exemption]]s (the HOST). All taxes are collected by the [[Georgia Department of Revenue]] and then properly distributed according to any agreements that each county has with its cities.
== Culture ==
{{main article|Culture of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
===Fine and performing arts===
Georgia's major fine art museums include the [[Georgia Museum of Art]], the [[High Museum of Art]], the [[Michael C. Carlos Museum]], the [[Morris Museum of Art]] and the [[Oglethorpe University Museum of Art]].<ref> [http://www.willamette.edu/cla/art/links/museums_us.htm Willamette], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref> The [[Atlanta Opera]] is a full time company that brings opera to Georgia stages.<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/TheArts/Music/Classical/Orchestras-1&id=h-2702 Atlanta Opera], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref> The [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]] is the most widely recognized orchestra and largest arts organization in the [[southeastern United States]].<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/TheArts/Music/Classical/Orchestras-1&id=h-1669 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref> Moreover, almost all of the universities, colleges, and junior colleges in Atlanta provide some musical instruction.<ref>
[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/TheArts/Music/Classical&id=h-898 Classical Music in Atlanta], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref>
===Literature===
Georgia literature is distinct among the literature of other places in the world in its historical and geographical context and the values it imparts. [[Drama]]s such as the play (on which a successful movie was also based) ''[[Driving Miss Suzie]]'' are one example of Georgia's literary culture. The most popular and famous novel has probably been [[Margaret Mitchell]]'s ''[[Gone With the Wind]]'', also the basis of a wildly successful movie. Other authors who challenged popular ideas were [[Carson McCullers]] and [[Flannery O'Connor]]. Contemporary authors such as [[Alice Walker]] have also used Georgia's complex past as subjects for fiction, as in her ''[[The Color Purple]]''.
Georgia's [[poetry|poets]], such as [[James Dickey]] and [[Sidney Lanier]], and [[nonfiction]] writers like humorist [[Lewis Grizzard]] also have a place in the state's literary life.<ref name=NGE> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/Literature/MiscellaneousEssays&id=h-2452 Literature: Overview], Accessed [[December 5]], [[2007]] </ref>
===Entertainment===
====Music====
{{main article|Music of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
Music in Georgia ranges from [[folk music]] to [[rhythm and blues]], [[rock and roll]], [[country music]] and [[hip hop]]. The [[Georgia Music Hall of Fame]], located in [[Macon, Georgia|Macon]] is the state's museum of music. Georgia's folk musical traditions include important contributions to the [[Piedmont blues]], [[shape note]] singing and [[African American music]]. ''The Sacred Harp'', compiled and produced by Georgians Benjamin Franklin White and Elisha J. King, was published in 1844. The ''Sacred Harp'' system use notes expressed with shapes to make it easy for people to learn to sight-read music and performed complex pieces without a lot of training.<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-549&hl=y The Sacred Harp], Accessed [[December 7]], [[2007]] </ref>
The city of Athens, Georgia, home to the University of Georgia has been a fertile field for alternative rock bands since the late 1970s. Notable bands from Athens include [[R.E.M. (band)|R.E.M.]],<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/TheArts/Music/RockandPop/IndividualArtistsandMusicalGroup-3&id=h-978 R.E.M]Accessed [[December 7]], [[2007]] </ref> [[The B-52s]], [[Widespread Panic]], [[Drive-By Truckers]], as well as bands from the [[Elephant 6 Recording Company]] most notably [[Neutral Milk Hotel]].
Rhythm and Blues is another important musical genre in Georgia. [[Ray Charles]] was born in [[Albany, Georgia|Albany, Georgia. ]]
[[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]] native James Brown and Macon native [[Little Richard]], two important figures in R&B history, started performing in Georgia clubs on the [[chitlin' circuit]], fused [[gospel music]] with [[blues]] and [[boogie-woogie]] to lay the foundations for R&B and [[soul music]], and rank among the most iconic musicians of the 20th century. In the 1960s, Atlanta native [[Gladys Knight]] proved one of the most popular [[Motown]] recording artists, while [[Otis Redding]], born in the small town of [[Dawson, Georgia|Dawson]] but raised in Macon, defined the grittier [[Southern soul]] sound of [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]]-based [[Stax Records]].<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/TheArts/Music/Blues&id=h-1654 Rhythm and Blues Music: Overview], Accessed [[December 7]], [[2007]] </ref> Opera singer [[Jessye Norman]] is native to Augusta.<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/TheArts/Music/Classical/IndividualArtists-2&id=h-1674 Jessye
Norman], Accessed [[December 7]], [[2007]] </ref>
[[Collective Soul]], a hard rock band known for their song "[[Shine (Collective Soul song)|Shine]]", are from [[Stockbridge, Georgia]].
====Film====
Hundreds of feature films have been located in Georgia. By 2007 more than $4 billion had been generated for the state's economy by the film and television industry since the 1970s.<ref name =NGE2> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-3521&hl=y Film industry in Georgia]Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref> Such films include ''[[Deliverance]]''; ''[[Smokey and the Bandit]]''; ''[[Driving Miss Daisy]]'' and ''[[Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil]]'', with settings ranging from Appalachia to the manicured squares of Savannah.<ref name=NGE2/> Due to the success of ''[[Deliverance]]'', as governor Jimmy Carter established a state film commission, now known as the [[Georgia Film, Video and Music Office]], in 1973 to market Georgia as a shooting location for future projects. The commission had recruited more than 550 major projects to the state by 2007.<ref name=NGE2/> Actress Julia Roberts is one of the most well-known natives of Georgia.
===Popular culture===
[[Stereotype|Stereotypical]] Georgian traits include manners known as "[[Southern hospitality]]", a strong sense of community and shared culture, and a distinctive [[Culture of Georgia (U.S. state)#Southern dialect in Georgia|Southern dialect]]. Georgia's Southern heritage makes [[turkey]] and [[stuffing|dressing]] a traditional holiday dish during both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Movies like ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]'' and the book ''If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I'm Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground'' by [[Lewis Grizzard]] highlight Georgia culture, speech and mannerisms.
Girl Scouting in the United States of America began on [[March 12]], [[1912]] when [[Juliette Gordon Low|Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low]] organized the first Girl Scout troop meeting of 18 girls in [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].
== Health care and education ==
[[Image:TechTower.jpg|thumb|[[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]]'s [[Tech Tower]]]]
[[Image:SCAD Anderson Hall edit.jpg|thumb|Anderson Hall at [[Savannah College of Art and Design]]]]
===Health care===
{{see also|List of hospitals in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
Georgians can find medical and dental care "via 151 general hospitals, more than 15,000 doctors and nearly 6,000 dentists."<ref>[http://www.georgia.org/Culture/LivingInGeorgia.htm Georgia.org], Accessed [[May 16]], [[2007]]</ref> The state is ranked forty-first in the percentage of residents who engage in regular exercise.<ref>[http://www.statemaster.com/graph/hea_phy_exe-health-physical-exercise Statemaster.com], Accessed [[May 16]], [[2007]]</ref>
===Education===
{{see also|List of colleges and universities in Georgia (U.S. state)|List of high schools in Georgia (U.S. state)|List of school districts in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
Georgia [[high schools]] (grades nine through twelve) are required to administer a [[standardized test|standardized]], [[multiple-choice]] [[End of Course Test]], or EOCT, in each of eight core subjects including [[Algebra|Algebra I]], [[Geometry]], [[U.S. History]], [[Economics]], [[Biology]], [[Physical Science]], Ninth Grade [[Literature]] and [[Composition (language)|Composition]], and [[American Literature]] and Composition. The official purpose of the tests is to assess "specific content knowledge and skills." Although a minimum test score is not required for the student to receive [[Carnegie Unit and Student Hour|credit]] in the course, completion of the test is mandatory. The EOCT score comprises 15% of a student's grade in the course.<ref>[http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_EOCT |GA DOE - Testing - EOCT] Accessed 24 April 2008.</ref>
High school students must also receive passing scores on four Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) and the Georgia High School Writing Assessment in order to receive a diploma. Subjects assessed include Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. These tests are initially offered during students' eleventh-grade year, allowing for multiple opportunities to pass the tests before [[graduation]] at the end of twelfth grade.<ref>[http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_GHSGT |GA DOE - Testing - GHSGT] Accessed 24 April 2008.</ref>
Georgia is home to almost 70 public colleges, universities, and technical colleges in addition to over 45 private institutes of higher learning.
The HOPE scholarship, funded by the state lottery, is available to all Georgia residents who have graduated from high school with a 3.0 or higher grade point average and who attend a public college or university in the state. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition and provides a stipend for books for up to 120 credit hours. If the student does not maintain a 3.0 average while in college they may lose the scholarship in which case they will have the chance to get it back by bringing their grade point average above a 3.0 within a period of 30 credit hours. This scholarship has had a significant impact on the state university system, increasing competition for admission and increasing the quality of education.
==Transportation==
{{main article|Transportation in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
[[Image:Talmadge.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The [[Talmadge Memorial Bridge]] spans the [[Savannah River]] linking downtown [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] with the state of [[South Carolina]]]]
Transportation in Georgia is overseen by the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]], a part of the executive branch of the [[Government of Georgia (U.S. state)|state government]]. Georgia's major [[Interstate Highway]]s are [[Interstate 95|I-95]] and [[Interstate 75|I-75]]. Other important interstate highways are [[Interstate 85|I-85]], [[Interstate 20|I-20]], [[Interstate 24|I-24]] and [[Interstate 59|I-59]]. [[Interstate 285|I-285]] is Atlanta, Georgia's perimeter route and [[Interstate 575|I-575]] connects with counties in north Georgia on I-75.<ref>[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2423&hl=y Interstate Highway System]Accessed June 17, 2008</ref> Major freight railroads in Georgia include [[CSX]] and [[Norfolk Southern]]. Passenger service in Georgia is available on two [[Amtrak]] routes: the Crescent, which runs from [[New York]] to [[Washington, D.C.]], through north Georgia and Atlanta to [[New Orleans]] and the other runs from New York to the Georgia coast and from there to
[[Florida]].<ref>[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/Transportation/LandTransportation&id=h-1281 Railroads], Accessed June 17, 2008</ref>
[[Image:ATL-Tower.jpg|thumb|right|HJAIA's 398 foot-tall control tower]]
Georgia's principal airport is [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport]](ATL), the world's busiest passenger airport.<ref>[http://www.atlanta-airport.com/default.asp?url=sublevels/airport_info/gmpage.htm Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport], Accessed June 18, 2008</ref> Georgia has one hundred seven public-use airports, nine of which are commercial-aviation airports and ninety-eight which are general-aviation airports. Two of the state's important airports are [[Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport]], which serves over 1,700,000 passengers each year and [[DeKalb Peachtree Airport]] in [[Chamblee, Georgia]].<ref>[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/Transportation/Air&id=h-773 Public-Use Airports], Accessed June 18, 2008</ref>
{{Col-begin|width=}}
{{Col-1-of-2}}
=== Interstate highways ===
*[[Image:I-16.svg|20px]][[Interstate 16]], [[Image:I-516.svg|25px]][[Interstate 516]]
*[[Image:I-20.svg|20px]][[Interstate 20]], [[Image:I-520.svg|25px]][[Interstate 520]]
*[[Image:I-59.svg|20px]][[Interstate 59]] (three exits only), [[Image:I-24.svg|20px]][[Interstate 24]]
*[[Image:I-75.svg|20px]][[Interstate 75]], [[Image:I-475.svg|25px]][[Interstate 475 (Georgia)|Interstate 475]],
*[[Image:I-575.svg|25px]][[Interstate 575]], [[Image:I-675.svg|25px]][[Interstate 675]]
*[[Image:I-85.svg|20px]][[Interstate 85]], [[Image:I-185.svg|25px]][[Interstate 185 (Georgia)|Interstate 185]], [[Image:I-985.svg|25px]][[Interstate 985]]
*[[Image:I-95.svg|20px]][[Interstate 95 in Georgia|Interstate 95]]
*[[Image:I-285.svg|25px]][[Interstate 285]] (the perimeter around Atlanta)
*[[Image:I-3.svg|20px]][[Interstate 3]] (proposed)
*[[Image:I-14.svg|20px]][[Interstate 14]] (proposed)
{{Col-2-of-2}}
=== United States highways ===
<table>
<tr><td align=center>''North-south routes''</td><td align=center>''East-west routes''</td>
<tr><td valign=top>
*[[Image:US 1.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 1]]
*[[Image:US 301.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 301]]
*[[Image:US 11.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 11]]
*[[Image:US 411.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 411]]
*[[Image:US 17.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 17]]
*[[Image:US 19.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 19]]
*[[Image:US 319.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 319]]
*[[Image:US 221.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 221]]
*[[Image:US 23.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 23]]
*[[Image:US 123.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 123]]
*[[Image:US 25.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 25]]
*[[Image:US 27.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 27]]
*[[Image:US 29.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 29]]
*[[Image:US 129.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 129]]
*[[Image:US 41.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 41]]
*[[Image:US 341.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 341]]
*[[Image:US 441.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 441]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Image:US 76.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 76]]
*[[Image:US 78.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 78]]
*[[Image:US 278.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 278]]
*[[Image:US 378.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 378]]
*[[Image:US 80.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 80]]
*[[Image:US 280.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 280]]
*[[Image:US 82.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 82]]
*[[Image:US 84.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 84]]
</td></tr></table>
{{Col-end}}
== Law and Government ==
{{main article|Government of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
=== State government ===
[[Image:GeorgiaCapitolBuilding.jpg|thumb|The [[Georgia State Capitol]] Building in Atlanta with the distinctive gold dome.]]
The capital of Georgia is Atlanta. As with all other [[U.S. States]] and the federal government, Georgia's government is based on the [[Separation of powers|separation of legislative, executive and judicial power]].<ref> [http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/senate/senkids.htm Senate Kids], Accessed [[December 30]], [[2007]] </ref> Executive authority in the state rests with the [[governor]], currently [[Sonny Perdue]] (until 2011) ([[United States Republican Party|Republican]]). Perdue is the first Republican governor since Reconstruction.<ref> [http://ourgeorgiahistory.com/ogh/Sonny_Perdue Sonny Perdue], Accessed [[December 30]], [[2007]] </ref> (See [[List of governors of Georgia]]). Both the [[governor]] and [[lieutenant governor]] are elected on separate ballots to four-year terms of office. Unlike the federal government, but like many other U.S. States, most of the executive officials who comprise the governor's cabinet are elected by the citizens of Georgia rather than appointed by the
governor.
Legislative authority resides in the General Assembly, composed of the [[Georgia Senate|Senate]] and [[Georgia House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. The [[Lieutenant Governor]] presides over the Senate, while the House of Representatives selects their own Speaker. The [[Georgia (U.S. state) Constitution|Georgia Constitution]] mandates a maximum of 56 senators, elected from single-member districts, and a minimum of 180 representatives, apportioned among representative districts (which sometimes results in more than one representative per district); there are currently 56 senators and 180 representatives. The term of office for senators and representatives is two years.<ref> [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart3.htm Constitution of Georgia Article III Section II], Accessed [[December 30]], [[2007]] </ref>
State judicial authority rests with the state [[Supreme Court of Georgia (U.S. state)|Supreme Court]] and [[Georgia Court of Appeals|Court of Appeals]], which have statewide authority.<ref> [http://www.gasupreme.us/scbroch.php Supreme Court Brochure], Accessed [[December 30]], [[2007]] </ref> In addition, there are smaller courts which have more limited geographical jurisdiction, including State Courts, Superior Courts, Magistrate Courts and Probate Courts. Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals are elected statewide by the citizens in non-partisan elections to six-year terms. Judges for the smaller courts are elected by the state's citizens who live within that court's jurisdiction to four-year terms.
See also: [[List of governors of Georgia]] and [[Georgia elected officials]]
=== Local government ===
Georgia has 159 [[counties]], the most of any state except [[Texas]] (with 254).<ref> [http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/countyhistory.htm A Brief History of Georgia Counties], Accessed [[December 30]], [[2007]] </ref> Before 1932, there were 161, with [[Milton County, Georgia|Milton]] and [[Campbell County, Georgia|Campbell]] being merged into [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton]] at the end of 1931. Counties have been named for prominent figures in both American and Georgian history. [[Counties]] in Georgia have their own elected legislative branch, usually called the Board of Commissioners, which usually also has executive authority in the county.<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/GovernmentPolitics/Government/LocalGovernment&id=h-589 Georgia's County Governments], Accessed [[December 31]], [[2007]] </ref> Several counties have a [[Sole Commissioner]] government, with legislative and executive authority vested in a single person. Georgia is the only state with Sole
Commissioner counties. Georgia's Constitution provides all counties and cities with "[[home rule]]" authority, and so the county commissions have considerable power to pass legislation within their county as a [[municipality]] would.
{{see|list of Georgia counties}}
Besides the counties, Georgia only defines cities as local units of government. Every incorporated town, no matter how small, is legally a city. Georgia does not provide for [[township (United States)|townships]] or [[independent cities]] (though there is a movement in the Legislature to provide for townships) but does allow [[consolidated city-county]] governments by local [[referendum]]. So far, only [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]], [[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]], [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]], and [[Cusseta, Georgia|Cusseta]] have done this. [[Conyers, Georgia|Conyers]] is studying possibly becoming consolidated with [[Rockdale County, Georgia|Rockdale County]]. Recently, Savannah has consolidated its police department with the county [[police]] department and is currently studying possible [[Consolidated city-county|consolidation]] with [[Chatham County, Georgia|Chatham County]].
There is no true [[metropolitan government]] in Georgia, though the [[Atlanta Regional Commission]] and [[Georgia Regional Transportation Authority]] do provide some services, and the ARC must approve all major [[land development]] projects in [[metro Atlanta]].
=== Politics ===
{| align="right" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 81%;"
|+ '''Presidential elections results'''
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''57.97%''' ''1,914,254
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.37% ''1,366,149
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.67%''' ''1,419,720
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|42.98% ''1,116,230
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''47.01%''' ''1,080,843
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|45.84% ''1,053,849
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|42.88% ''995,252
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''43.47%''' ''1,008,966
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''59.75%''' ''1,081,331
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|39.50% ''714,792
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1984|1984]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''60.17%''' ''1,068,722
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|39.79% ''706,628
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1980|1980]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|40.95% ''654,168
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.76%''' ''890,733
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1976|1976]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|32.96% ''483,743
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''66.74%''' ''979,409
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1972|1972]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''75.04%''' ''881,496
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|24.65% ''289,529
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1968|1968]]*
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|30.40% ''380,111
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|26.75% ''334,440
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1964|1964]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.12%''' ''616,584
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.15% ''522,557
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1960|1960]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|37.43% ''274,472
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''62.54%''' ''458,638
|-
|align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="lightgrey"|*State won by [[George Wallace]]<br>of the [[American Independent Party]],<br>at 42.83%, or 535,550 votes
|}
Until recently, Georgia's state government had the longest unbroken record of single-party dominance of any state in the Union. This record was established partly by disfranchisement of most blacks and many poor whites in the early 20th century, lasting into the 1960s.
After Reconstruction, white Democrats regained power, especially by legal [[disfranchisement]] of most African Americans and many poor whites through erection of barriers to voter registration. In 1900, shortly before Georgia adopted a disfranchising constitutional amendment in 1908, blacks comprised 47% of the state's population.<ref>[fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/php/state.php Historical Census Browser, 1900 US Census, University of Virginia], accessed 15 Mar 2008</ref> A "clean" franchise was linked by Progressives to electoral reform.
<ref>[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-2992%28196807%2953%3A3%3C234%3ARVASRO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U&size=SMALL&origin=JSTOR Charles Crowe, "Racial Violence and Social Reform - Origins of the Atlanta Riot of 1906", The Journal of Negro History: Vol.53, No.3, Jul 1968], accessed 23 Mar 2008</ref> White, one-party rule was solidified. To escape the oppression, tens of thousands of black Georgians left the state, going north in the Great Migration for jobs, better education for their children and the chance to vote.
For over 130 years, from 1872 to 2003, Georgians only elected white Democratic governors, and white Democrats held the majority of seats in the General Assembly. Most of the Democrats elected throughout these years were Southern Democrats or [[Dixiecrats]] who were very conservative by national standards. This continued after the segregationist period, which ended legally in the 1960s. According to the 1960 census, the proportion of Georgia's population that was African American had decreased to 28%.<ref>[fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/php/state.php Historical Census Browser, 1960 US Census, University of Virginia], accessed 13 Mar 2008</ref> After civil rights legislation under President Johnson secured voting and civil rights in the mid-1960s, most African Americans in the South joined the Democratic Party.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Georgia made significant changes in civil rights, governance, and economic growth focused on Atlanta. It was a bedrock of the emerging "[[New South]]." This characterization was solidified with the election of former Georgia Governor [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1976 to the [[President of the United States|U.S. Presidency]].
The political dominance of Democrats ended in 2003, when then-Governor [[Roy Barnes]] was defeated by Republican [[Sonny Perdue]], a state legislator and former Democrat himself. It was regarded as a stunning upset. While Democrats retained control of the State House, they lost their majority in the Senate when four Democrats switched parties. They lost the House in the 2004 election. Republicans now control all three partisan elements of the state government.
In recent years, many conservative Democrats, including former U.S. Senator and governor [[Zell Miller]], have decided to support Republicans. The state's socially conservative bent results in wide support for such measures as restrictions on [[abortion]]. Even before 2003, the state had become increasingly supportive of Republicans in Presidential elections. It has supported a Democrat for president only three times since 1960. In 1976 and 1980, native son Jimmy Carter carried the state; in 1992, the former Arkansas governor [[Bill Clinton]] narrowly won the state. Generally, Republicans are strongest in the predominantly white suburban (especially the Atlanta suburbs) and rural portions of the state[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004//pages/results/states/GA/P/00/epolls.0.html]. Many of these areas were represented by conservative Democrats in the state legislature well into the 21st century. Democrats do best in the areas where black voters are most numerous[http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004//pages/results/states/GA/P/00/epolls.0.html], mostly in the cities (especially Atlanta) and the rural [[Black Belt (U.S. region)|Black Belt]] region that travels through the central and southwestern portion of the state.
[[As of 2001|As of the 2001]] [[reapportionment]], the state has 13 seats in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]], which are currently held by 7 Republicans and 6 Democrats.
{{Seealso|United States presidential election, 2004, in Georgia}}
== Media ==
===Television===
{{See also|List of television stations in Georgia}}
Georgia is home to [[Ted Turner]], who founded [[TBS Superstation|TBS]], [[Turner Network Television|TNT]], [[Turner Classic Movies|TCM]], [[Cartoon Network]], [[CNN]] and [[Headline News]], among others. The [[CNN Center]], which houses the news channel's world headquarters, is located in downtown Atlanta, facing Marietta Street, while the home offices of the Turner Entertainment networks are located in [[Midtown Atlanta|midtown]], near the [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] campus, on Techwood Drive. A third Turner building is on Williams Street, directly across [[Interstate 75]] and [[Interstate 85]] from the Techwood Drive campus and is the home of [[Adult Swim]] and [[Williams Street Studios]].
[[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]]'s headquarters are located in the [[Smyrna, Georgia|Smyrna]] area of metropolitan Atlanta in [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County]].
[[WSB-TV]] was the state's first television station, and the southeastern United State's second. WSB-TV signed on Channel 8 in 1948, and moved to its present day location on Channel 2 in 1952.
[[Georgia Public Broadcasting]] (GPB) operates nine major [[education]]al [[television station]]s across the state as Georgia Public Broadcasting Television.<ref>[http://www.gpb.org/public/about/index.jsp?pcode=about Georgia Public Broadcasting] Accessed, [[May 19]], [[2007]] </ref>
===Radio===
{{See also|List of radio stations in Georgia}}
[[WSB-AM]] in Atlanta was the first radio station in the southeastern United States, signing on in 1922. The station currently broadcasts a news/talk format. [[WSB-FM]] signed on in 1948 on 104.5 FM, and moved to 98.5 FM in 1952. The station broadcasts today, still with the WSB-FM callsign, but is known as "B98.5FM".
[[Georgia Public Radio]] has been in service since 1984 and, with the exception of Atlanta, it broadcasts daily on several FM (and one AM) stations across the state. 1984.<ref>[http://www.gpb.org/public/radio/index.jsp?pcode=network Georgia Public Radio] Accessed, [[May 19]], [[2007]] </ref><ref>[http://www.gpb.org/public/about/index.jsp?pcode=about Georgia Public Radio] Accessed, [[May 19]], [[2007]] </ref> Georgia Public Radio reaches nearly all of Georgia (with the exception of the Atlanta area, which is served by [[WABE]]), as well as portions of Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
===Newspapers and periodicals===
{{See also|List of newspapers in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
There are several major newspapers in Georgia. Among them are the [[Atlanta Journal Constitution]] and the [[Augusta Chronicle]]. Other media publications in the state include business magazines; entertainment media such as [[Southern Voice]]; and various sports magazines.<ref> [http://www.mondotimes.com/1/world/us/10/majormedia Mondotimes.com], Accessed, [[May 19]], [[2007]] </ref>
==Sports and recreation==
{{main article|Sports in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
{{See also|Tour de Georgia|The Masters Tournament}}
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Atlanta Falcons helmet rightface.png|left|150px|Atlanta Falcons helmet]] -->
Sports in Georgia include professional teams in all major sports, [[Olympic Games]] contenders and medalists, collegiate teams in major and small-school conferences and associations, and active amateur teams and individual sports. The State of Georgia has a team in eight major professional leagues ([[Major League Baseball|MLB]], [[National Football League|NFL]], [[National Basketball Association|NBA]], [[National Hockey League|NHL]], [[American Basketball Association|ABA]], [[Arena Football League|AFL]], [[International League|IL]], and [[East Coast Hockey League|ECHL]]).
Georgia has an abundance of outdoor recreational activities. Outdoor activities include, but are not limited to, hiking along the [[Appalachian Trail]]; [[Civil War Heritage Trail]]s; [[rock climbing]] and [[whitewater paddling]].<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/SportsRecreation/Recreation&id=h-692 Appalachian Trail], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref><ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/SportsRecreation/Recreation&id=h-829 Civil War Heritage Trails], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref><ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/SportsRecreation/Recreation&id=h-914 Rock climbing], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref><ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/SportsRecreation/Recreation&id=h-693 Whitewater paddling], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref> Other outdoor activities include [[hunting]] and [[fishing]]. Less rustic activities are trips to [[Callaway Gardens]]; [[circus]]es;
[[Rattlesnake Roundup]]s; and [[Zoo Atlanta]].<ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/SportsRecreation/Recreation&id=h-2155 Callaway Gardens], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref><ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/SportsRecreation/Recreation&id=h-1102 Circues], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref><ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/SportsRecreation/Recreation&id=h-2794 Rattlesnake Roundups], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref><ref> [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/SportsRecreation/Recreation&id=h-3463 Zoo Atlanta], Accessed [[December 8]], [[2007]] </ref>
==State facts and symbols==
{{Infobox U.S. state symbols
|Name = Georgia
|Amphibian = [[American Green Tree Frog]]
|Bird = [[Brown Thrasher]]
|Butterfly = [[Eastern Tiger Swallowtail]]
|Fish = [[Largemouth bass]]
|Flower = [[Cherokee Rose]]
|Insect = [[Western honey bee|European honey bee]]
|Mammal = [[Right whale]]
|Reptile = [[Gopher tortoise]]
|Tree = [[Southern live oak|Live oak]]
|Dance = [[Square Dance]]
|Food = [[Grits]], [[Peach]], [[Vidalia onion|Vidalia Sweet Onion]]
|Fossil = [[Shark]] [[Tooth]]
|Gemstone = [[Quartz]]
|Mineral = [[Staurolite]]
|StateRock =
|Shell = [[Knobbed Whelk]]
|Soil = [[Tifton (soil)|Tifton]]
|Song = ''[[Georgia on My Mind]]''
|Tartan = [[:Image:Georgia Tartan.gif|Georgia State Tartan]]
|Route Marker = Georgia 3.svg
|Quarter = 1999 GA Proof.png
|QuarterReleaseDate = 1999
}}
Georgia's nicknames include '''Peach State''' and '''Empire State of the South '''.The [[state song]], "[[Georgia On My Mind]]" by [[Hoagy Carmichael]], was originally written about a woman of that name, but after Georgia native [[Ray Charles]] sang it, the state legislature voted it the state song on [[24 April]] [[1979]]. Ray Charles sang it on the legislative floor when the bill was passed. This act was significant in that it symbolized to many the move away from segregation and racism. The [[50 State Quarters|state commemorative quarter]] was released on [[19 July]] [[1999]].<ref name="stateflorafauna">[http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/ga_symb.htm State symbols and emblems]</ref> The first houses in Georgia to be designated historic state landmarks are the Owens Thomas House and the [[Sorrel Weed House]], in the Savannah historic district. The state 'possum is [[Pogo (comics)|Pogo Possum]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sos.georgia.gov/state_symbols/state_possum.html |title=Georgia Secretary of State -
State 'Possum |publisher=Georgia Secretary of State |accessdate=2008-01-15}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[List of Georgia (U.S. state)-related topics|List of Georgia-related topics]]
{{portal|State of Georgia|Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg|left=yes}}
{{clear}}
<!-- Please place links to all topics directly related to the State of Georgia in the [[List of Georgia (U.S. state)-related topics]] -->
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
*Walker, V. (2005). "Organized resistance and black educators' quest for school equality", 1878-1938. ''Teachers College Record'', 107, 355-388.
==Further reading==
* [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Home.jsp ''New Georgia Encyclopedia'' (2005)].
* Bartley, Numan V. ''The Creation of Modern Georgia'' (1990). Covers 1865-1990 period. ISBN 0-8203-1183-9.
* Coleman, Kenneth. ed. ''A History of Georgia'' (1991). ISBN 0-8203-1269-X.
* London, Bonnie Bullard. (2005) ''Georgia and the American Experience'' Atlanta, Georgia: Clairmont Press ISBN 1-56733-100-9. A middle school textbook.
* Peirce, Neal R. ''The Deep South States of America: People, Politics, and Power in the Seven Deep South States'' (1974). Information on politics and economics 1960-72. ISBN 0-393-05496-9.
==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Georgia (U.S. state)}}
*[http://www.georgia.gov/ Georgia state government website]
*[http://www.exploregeorgia.org/ Official Georgia Tourism Website]
*[http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Georgia Georgia State Databases] - Annotated list of searchable databases produced by Georgia state agencies and compiled by the Government Documents Roundtable of the American Library Association.
*[http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/gacon.htm Georgia Constitution Web Page, Carl Vinson Institute of Government at The University of Georgia (includes historical Constitutions of Georgia)]
*[http://www.sos.state.ga.us/tours/html/branches_of_government.html Summary of duties, powers and responsibilities of the branches of Georgia state government (Georgia Secretary of State website)]
*[http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=GA Energy Profile for Georgia]
*[http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=GA USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Georgia]
*[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13000.html U.S. Census Bureau]
*[http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Home.jsp The New Georgia Encyclopedia]
*[http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/ Digital Library of Georgia]
*{{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Georgia}}
{{-}}
{{Georgia|expand}}
{{United States}}
{{US South}}
{{Confederate2}}
{{succession
| preceded = [[New Jersey]]
| office = [[List of U.S. states by date of statehood]]
| years = Ratified [[Constitution of the United States of America|Constitution]] on [[January 2]], [[1788]] (4th)
| succeeded = [[Connecticut]]
}}
{{coor title d|33|N|83.5|W|region:US-GA_type:state}}
[[Category:Georgia (U.S. state)| ]]
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[[Category:Confederate states (1861-1865)]]
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