Discuss “following directions” KUDos: Know: Geography Understand: SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.   SS8G2 The student will explain how the Interstate Highway System, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Georgia’s deepwater ports, and the railroads help drive the state’s economy. Do: Checkpoint Discuss “following directions” Folder Organization Notes/OneSheet

Georgia Geography Georgia is divided into 5 Physiographic Regions: Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau. Each of these regions differ from each other in location, size, population, climate, resources, and numerous other areas.

Appalachian Plateau Smallest Limestone caves & canyons Nicknames: “TAG” Corner: Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Cumberland Plateau Lookout & Sand Mountain Soil composition: limestone, shale & sandstone Hardwood Forests Battle of Chickamauga

Ridge and Valley Made up of narrow ridges & valleys: parallel Soil Composition: Shale & limestone Resistant to erosion Mostly forests & pastures Taylor Ridge & Pigeon Mountain Best apples in Georgia Dalton, GA: “the carpet capitol of the world!”

Blue Ridge Region Northeastern part of state Contains state’s highest and largest group of mountains Brasstown Bald, Georgia highest mountain (4,786 feet above seal level) is located here Mountains provide much precipitation (water) for the state Sandy loam and clay soils Hardwood forests, vegetable farming, and apples Source of the Savannah and Chattahoochee Rivers

Piedmont Region Begins in mountain foothills and goes to state’s central part Contains many of the large cities of Georgia (Atlanta, Marietta, Athens, etc.) and most of the state’s population. Gently sloping hills in north, flatlands in the south Hardwood timber, pine, and agriculture Red clay and granite base Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, and Oconee rivers “Piedmont” means “foot of the mountains”

Coastal Plain Region Largest region, three-fifths of state (60%) 100 miles of coastline Inner Coastal Plain: Mild climate, good underground water supply, state’s major agriculture region Outer Coastal Plain (southwest corner): rich soil for peanuts, pecans, corn, and pulp production Low-lying freshwater wetlands (including the Okefenokee Swamp) are located in the southern portion of the state. Peanuts and Vidalia Onions!

Fall Line Located where the hilly or mountainous lands of the Piedmont region meet the coastal plain region. Runs from Columbus (west) through Macon to Augusta (east) Many waterfalls caused by water from the hills cutting channels into the softer soil of the plains Fall Line waterfalls provide power source for several Georgia communities

Okefenokee Swamp Named for the Seminole Indian word which means “land of the trembling Earth” Largest swamp in North America (681 square miles) Freshwater (not salt water) wetland Located south of Waycross Home to more than 400 species of animals Water lies close to the surface President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge which protected land and stopped logging companies from cutting down the large, old trees.

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

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

Savannah River Natural boundary between Georgia and South Carolina. Begins at Lake Hartwell and flows southwest toward the city of Savannah before emptying in the Atlantic Ocean. Also used as a source for hydroelectric power. Provides most of the drinking water for Augusta and Savannah.

Barrier Islands Also known as the Golden Isles (Spanish explorers called the islands “Islands of Gold). Form a barrier between Georgia’s mainland coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Helps to protect Georgia’s mainland coast form strong winds, waves and ocean currents. Important to the state’s tourism. Many people visit the beaches and resorts Jekyll, Sea Island, St. Simons, and Tybee Islands are all connected to the mainland by bridges but others can be reached by boats. Other industries on the barrier islands include paper production and fishing.

WATER

Atlantic Ocean Georgia has more than 100 miles of coastline Begins at the Savannah River and goes to the St. Mary’s River

Georgia’s waterways serve as important inland “highways” for social, political, and economic growth.

DEEPWATER PORTS Savannah & Brunswick

LAND

Over 100 motor freight carriers serve the metropolitan areas of Georgia. The state has 35 scheduled carriers, 2,200 intrastate haulers, and 25,000 interstate truckers serving the state. What carrier has a headquarters located in the Piedmont Region?

RAILROADS

Georgia’s two major railroad lines: CSX Norfolk Southern

AIR

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, named for former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson, has a main terminal, six concourses, and nearly 200 gates.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport one of the busiest passenger airports in the world. In an average weekday afternoon, 500 aircraft may be in the air flying toward Hartsfield-Jackson, and an equal number may be in the air after departing it. In an average month, about 80,000 flights and more than 7 million passengers pass through the airport on flights scheduled with 21 airlines. At the same time, the airport will handle about 53,700 metric tons of cargo and more than 60,000 metric tons of mail on airliners and cargo aircraft operated by 20 companies.

Wildcat Workouts Most Mondays you will receive a workout These are ALWAYS due on Thursday of the same week This serves as your homework. You can hand it to me between Monday and Thursday to check and make sure all the answer are correct. If I spot something incorrect, I will circle it and you have a chance to correct it before turning it in on Thursday. You must be organized and responsible to keep up with it. These are graded.