Georgia Geography, State Symbols, Natural Wonders and Regions

SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location. Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands. Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development.

Geography Hemispheres – Northern and Western Continent – North America Nation – United States of America Region – Southeastern United States Atlantic Ocean boarders the eastern coast of state Boarder States – Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina

On which continent is Georgia located?

Answer: North America

Georgia is part of what nation Georgia is part of what nation? *hint: another word for nation is country.

Answer: The United States

Georgia is located in what region of the country?

Answer: Southeastern

In what two hemispheres can you find Georgia?

Answer: Northern, Western

Name the 5 states that border Georgia

Answer: Never Sing To A Fly North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Alabama Florida

Georgia’s Major Cities Atlanta – Largest and Capital City Savannah – Georgia’s First City and Major Port Brunswick – Major Port City Columbus – Fall Line City Macon – Fall Line City Augusta – Fall Line City Milledgeville – Fall Line City Valdosta Albany Athens Gainesville Rome

Geographic Regions of Georgia Coastal Plain Piedmont Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Appalachian Plateau

Coastal Plains

Coastal Plain Largest Region – 3/5 of total size Ancient floor of ocean Underground Aquifers 2 major port cities (Savannah and Brunswick) Main Agricultural Region Barrier Islands 3 Natural Wonders (Okefenokee Swamp, Radium Springs and Providence Canyon)

DID YOU KNOW? The Coastal Plain has a MAJOR swamp? It’s called the Okefenokee Swamp Georgia has over 100 miles of shoreline with groups of islands located right off the east coast. They are called Barrier Islands: Tybee, St. Simons, Jekyll Soil is not fertile. It consist of sand and clay. Areas are poorly drained and swampy. Only pine trees and brush can survive in this region.

Piedmont Region

Piedmont Known for its “Georgia Red Clay” & pine trees Most ____________region (over half of total population) ___________(capital city and largest city) Piedmont means “foot of the mountain” Gently sloping hills and southern flatlands Natural Wonder – Stone Mountain and Warm Springs Known for its “Georgia Red Clay” & pine trees Major Towns and Cities- Atlanta, Marietta, Roswell, Athens, East Point.

DID YOU KNOW? Atlanta was formerly named Terminus Piedmont is the 2nd largest region Piedmont has the highest population – 3 out 5 Georgians live here

Blue Ridge Mountains

Blue Ridge ________________ Natural Wonders – Tallulah Gorge and Amicolola Falls Most precipitation of any region Brasstown Bald – ____________point in Georgia

DID YOU KNOW? The Blue Ridge region has a lot of recreational opportunities: camping, white water rafting, etc. Standing at the top of the observation tower, you can catch a glimpse of three surrounding states: North Carolina, South Carolina, & Tennessee Numerous rivers begin in this region- such as the Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers

Ridge and Valley

Ridge and Valley _________Ridges and ______valleys Agriculture – Cattle, apple orchards, farming Dalton – Carpet Capital of the World

Appalachian Plateau

Appalachian Plateau ____________Region ________Corner – Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia Least visited region Limestone caves and deep canyons Civil War Battlefields (Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Parks)

DID YOU KNOW? The Appalachian Plateau region is also known as the TAG corner? You can stand in a spot, and literally be in 3 places at one time….Tennessee, Alabama, & Georgia

Fall Line _____________line that separates the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont. It is the point at which hilly or mountainous lands meet ________lands. Elevation drops from rocky hills, rivers, and creeks create waterfalls Major Cities on the Fall Line – Columbus, Macon, Milledgeville, and Augusta

Natural Wonders of Georgia Tallulah Gorge Amicolola Falls Stone Mountain Radium Springs Warm Springs Providence Canyon Okefenokee Swamp

Tallulah Gorge One of the largest gorges in the eastern United States Nickname – Niagara Falls of the South Karl Wallenda tight rope walked across the gorge. Located in the Blue Ridge in the north eastern part of the state

Amicolola Falls Name means “Tumbling Waters” Near the start of the Appalachian Trail Located in the Blue Ridge in the north central part of the state

Stone Mountain ___________exposed granite mass in the world Most visited of the natural wonders Best known for its Confederate Memorial Carving (Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee) Located in the _____________in the central part of the state

Radium Springs Natural Spring near Albany Casino/Resort used to be located there, but it burned Closed to public Located in the Coastal Plain in the south western part of Georgia

Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center – Warm water Franklin D. Roosevelt used to come to Warm Springs for therapy due to __________. FDR built the _______ _______ ________in Warm Springs (FDR died in the Little White House) Located in the Piedmont in the western part of Georgia

Providence Canyon Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” Caused by erosion due to poor land management by farmers Located in the Coastal Plain in the south western part of Georgia

Okefenokee Swamp Name means “Land of ___________Earth” Large _____________ swamp Located in the __________Plain in the south eastern part of the state

Georgia’s Rivers Chattahoochee River Savannah River Altamaha River Oconee River Ocmulgee River Flint River St. Marys River Coosa River Etowah River Oostanula River Alapaha River Suwanee River Satilla River Ogeechee River

Georgia’s Barrier Islands Tybee Island Little Tybee Island Wassaw Island Ossabaw Island St. Catherines Island Blackbeard Island Sapelo Island Wolf Island Little St. Simons Island Sea Island St. Simons Island Jekyll Island Little Cumberland Island Cumberland Island

State Symbols Flower – Cherokee Rose Tree – Live Oak Bird – Brown Thrasher Fish – Largemouth Bass Game Bird – Bobwhite Quail Insect – Honeybee Gem – Quartz Fossil – Shark Tooth Seashell – Knobbed Whelk Flag – Current Georgia Flag Vegetable – Vidalia Onion Mammal – Right Whale Wildflower – Azalea Song – Georgia on my Mind Reptile – Gopher Tortoise Crop – Peanut Mineral – Fairy Cross Fruit – Peach Butterfly – Tiger Swallowtail Amphibian – Green Tree Frog