Georgia’s Geographic Regions

What makes a region? A region can be defined by common characteristics that are usually- cultural, human or physical The five regions in Georgia include: Appalachian Plateau Ridge and Valley Blue Ridge Piedmont Coastal Plain

Appalachian Plateau Location: Northwest Corner AKA- Tag region (Ga, AL, Tenn.) Physical Characteristics: Sloping land above surrounding valleys Economic: Tourism Forestry Coal- only known source of coal in the state Limestone Climate: Cooler temps due to high elevations Summer temps 80’s and 90’s Winter temps 20’s to 40’s w/ some ice and snow Interesting features: Cloudland Canyon Lookout Mountain No Rivers Agriculture: Limited due to poor soil Corn and soybeans

Appalachian Region

Ridge and Valley Region Location: Northern Georgia Between Appalachian Plateau and Blue Ridge. Physical Characteristics: Long Ridges separated by fertile valleys Economic: Textiles and carpets Mining Climate: Cooler temps due to high elevations Summer temps 80’s and 90’s Winter temps 20’s to 40’s w/ some ice and snow Interesting features: Dalton, Georgia is the “carpet capital of the world” Agriculture: 4% of the valleys are farmed or pastured Soybean, wheat, and cotton Harwood and pine timber harvested

The Blue Ridge Region Location: Northeast corner of Georgia Physical Characteristics: Blue Ridge Mnts are highest in the Appalachian highlands The Appalachian Trial begins in this region Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers originate in this region Economic: Mining Tourism Harvesting of timber Climate: Cooler temps due to high elevations Highest precipitation in the state with 80 inches of rain per year Interesting features: Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest peak Appalachian Trail brings tourists Dahlonega is home to the first gold rush in the U.S. Agriculture: Small farms in the valleys Apples, corn and vegetables Pastures large animals

Appalachian Mountains The southern end of the Appalachian Mountains are in Georgia's Blue Ridge region. The site of the first American gold rush, today tourism is this region's most important industry. Highest point is Brasstown Bald.

Chattahoochee River Georgia's most important river Begins in the Blue Ridge region and forms part of the border between Georgia and Alabama Due to the fall line it becomes difficult to navigate between the Piedmont and Coastal plains Major transportation route that carries cotton and other freight, furnishes hydroelectric power to factories and mills. Today it is a primary water source and is used for industry and recreation

Piedmont Region Location: Central Georgia 30% of the land of the state Fall Line separates Piedmont and Coastal plains Physical Characteristics: Rolling hills Flowing rivers w/ waterfalls and rapids Red Clay Economic: Timber is harvested Highly industrialized w/ carpet, milling, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, and poultry processing. Climate: Steamy and hot in the summer w/ temps in the 90’s As low as the 20’s in winter Agriculture: Cotton Soybeans Wheat Poultry/ Eggs, hogs, cattle, and beef Interesting features: Urban cities of Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, and Augusta Stone Mountain Mountain

Coastal Plains Location: Southernmost region in the state Physical Characteristics: Covers 60% of Georgia 2 sections: Inner and Outer Coastal Economic: Pulp and paper industry Commercial fishing and seafood Tourism due to coastal towns Deep-water ports of Savannah and Brunswick create global shipping Climate: Hot steamy summers Cool winters w/ little chance of snow Agriculture: Agricultural heartland Inner coastal: Peanuts, peaches, soybeans, Vidalia Onions, and pecans Outer Coastal: Less fertile. Pine trees and some row crops. Interesting features: Barrier islands protect mainland Georgia Okefenokee Swamp Major Rivers flow to coast

The Fall Line The Fall Line is a dramatic drop in elevation that runs through the middle of Georgia. It divides the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. The dramatic drop in location created a line of waterfalls making boat travel difficult or impossible, but it did offer a source of water power and many mills were located on the Fall Line Many people believe that, millions of years ago, the Fall Line was Georgia's pre-historic coast line. Evidence of this includes shark teeth and sea shells found throughout the Coastal Plain, many miles from the Ocean. Many of Georgia’s most important cities such as Columbus, Macon, and Augusta were located on the fall line due to their location as the last navigable upstream point in the state.

The Barrier Islands 14 islands off the coast of Georgia Called barrier islands because the protect the mainland from wind and water erosion. During colonial and antebellum periods, plantations were set up to grow rice and indigo. Some are wild life refuges or state parks, and others are developed for tourism. Tourism, fishing and paper industries are important economic activities today.

Savannah River The Savannah River was extremely important to Georgia's first European settlers. Forms border between Georgia and South Carolina Begins in Hart County, forms Lake Hartwell, then flows to the Atlantic. The river is used for shipping, drinking water, cools TWO nuclear power plants in South Carolina, and generates hydro electric power.

Okefenokee Swamp Located in southeastern Georgia Named by the Choctaw Indians, meaning “land of the trembling earth” Largest freshwater swamp in the entire U.S. Hundreds of animal species live in the area including the American alligator

What do you remember about… Georgia’s physiographic regions??? Lesson Two (SS8G1b) – Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain. What do you remember about… Georgia’s physiographic regions??? D. 1. Contains GA’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald A. Piedmont C. 2. Contains most of GA’s peanut and cotton farms B. Valley & Ridge E. 3. The smallest physiographic region C. Coastal Plain D. 4. Has GA’s highest amount of annual rainfall D. Blue Ridge A. 5. The most populated of GA’s regions. E. Appalachian Plateau B. Contains mountain ridges with valleys between Contains GA’s only source of a fossil fuel (coal) The location of GA’s capital and largest city E. A. C. 9. The largest of GA’s regions, in terms of land area SS8G1 – The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.

What do you remember about… Georgia's physical features??? Lesson Three (SS8G1c) – 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. What do you remember about… Georgia's physical features??? C 1. This feature flows along GA's eastern border. A. Fall Line E 2. Gold was found in this area in the early 1800s. B. Okefenokee Swamp F 3. Forts were built here to defend GA's early settlers. C. Savannah River B 4. This area is a wildlife refuge for over 1000 species. D. Chattahoochee River A 5. This geographical boundary separates the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont. E. Appalachian Mtns. D F. Barrier Islands 6. This major river provides drinking water and forms part of the state's western border with Alabama. SS8G1 – The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.