Key Physical Features of Georgia What are the significant physical features of Georgia that has helped its development and where are they located?

What are some of the physical features of Georgia? Appalachian Mtns What are some of the physical features of Georgia? Fall Line Savannah River Chattahoochee River Okefenokee Swamp Barrier Islands

The Fall Line The point where the hills of the Piedmont meets the flat Coastal Plain. Runs from Columbus, through Macon and into Augusta. Other cities along the fall line include Milledgeville, Roberta, Thomason, and Warrenton

Why is the Fall Line important? It was an excellent source of water power for early settlers and factories.

The Barrier Islands The 14 islands have more than 100 miles of coastline Were called the “Islands of Gold” by the early Spanish explorers The islands protect Georgia’s beaches 2/3rd’s of the land remains a wilderness sanctuary

The Okefenokee Swamp The Okefenokee is part of the Coastal Plain region Located South of Waycross, Georgia First visited by the early explorers (Spanish) Has an area of 681 square miles (438,000 acres) making it the 4th largest wetland in North America Wetland-low-lying area where water lies close to the surface creating swamps, bogs, ponds, and freshwater marshes

Why is the Okefenokee important? National Wildlife refuge (over 400 different species) Tourism for campers and nature lovers

The Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains are part of the Blue Ridge region The Appalachian Mountains stretch from Alabama to New York Formed by colliding continental plates millions of years ago

Why are the Appalachian Mountains important? Tourism for hikers and campers Source for many of Georgia’s rivers

The Chattahoochee River Creek for “river of the painted rock” Flows 436 miles from the Appalachian Mountains in North Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida The Southern section forms the border between Georgia and Alabama

Why is it important? It provides much of the drinking water for the Atlanta area.

The Savannah River Located mostly in Georgia’s Coastal Plain region The Savannah River is one of Georgia’s two deepwater ports

How does the Savannah River help Georgia’s economy? It’s a center for shipping and fishing