Physiographic Regions of Georgia

Region An area on Earth’s surface that is defined by certain unifying characteristics (cultural, physical, or human)

Appalachian Plateau

Plateau

Size/Location Elevation 300 square miles NW corner (TAG-TN,AL,GA Corner) of Georgia 800-2000 feet

Landforms Broad flat topped mountains separated by ridges of limestone Limestone caves, deep canyons, interesting rock formations, waterfalls

Soil/Rocks, minerals sandstone, shale, limestone

Resources/Crops Appalachian Oak Forests cover most of it. pastures Coal the only source of coal in Georgia

Cities/Places of Interest Sand Mountain Lookout Mountain Long narrow valley between these mts. Cloudland Canyon Chickamauga-civil war battle site

Ridge and Valley

Ridge and Valley

Size/Location Elevation most of NW Georgia 700-1600 feet

Landforms long, parallel ridges wide rolling valleys

limestone and shale valleys Soil/Rocks, minerals sedimentary rock sandstone ridges limestone and shale valleys

Resources/Crops Forests, pastures Apple orchards, wheat, cotton, hardwoods, pines, 4% of Georgia’s farmland timber

Cities/Places of Interest Taylor Ridge, Pigeon Mountain Dalton Carpet industry – more than 70 carpet manufacturing plants

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge

Size/Location Elevation most of NE Georgia 2000 square miles 1600-4800 feet

Landforms highest mountains in Appalachian highlands Rivers begin here. steep slopes waterfalls

Soil/Rocks, minerals clay, sand erosion High precipitation – provides water for the entire state

Resources/Crops Hardwood forests apples Small vegetable farms

Cities/Places of Interest Chattahoochee National Forest Brasstown Bald (treeless on top) 4,784 ft. Amicalola falls Tallulah Gorge Helen

Other Features Springer Mountain start of the Appalachian Trail which stretches from Georgia to Maine (2,144 miles)

Piedmont “foot of the mountain”

Piedmont

Size/Location Elevation 30% of state between the Coastal Plain and the mountains 500-1700 feet

Landforms Gently, sloping hills, flatlands valleys many streams and rivers ravines

Soil/Rocks, minerals red clay, sandy loam fertile soil bedrock large areas of solid rock just below the earth’s surface often exposed where soil has washed away granite, gneiss, marble

Resources/Crops oak-hickory-pine forests marble, granite cotton, soybeans, wheat, poultry, cattle

Cities/Places of Interest Athens Atlanta Milledgeville Six Flags Zoo Atlanta Stone Mountain

Other features 60% of Georgia’s population lives here. Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, Oconee Rivers

Coastal Plain

Coastal Plain

Size/Location Elevation 60% of state lower half of the state 0-400 feet

Landforms Two parts flat with low relief gentle slopes Inner Coastal Plain Outer Coastal Plain flat with low relief gentle slopes wide, deep, slow rivers

Soil/Rocks, Minerals Limestone, sand, clay Outer coastal plain -- poorly drained Inner Coastal plain -- fertile soil, underground water

Resources/Crops Outer Coastal Plain Inner timber some swampy areas Used for pasture and timber shrimp and fish Inner crops such as peanuts, cotton, Vidalia onions, corn, soybeans, peaches, pecans timber

Cities/Places of Interest Savannah, Columbus, Macon, Augusta, Albany, Valdosta Okefenokee Swamp – freshwater wetland

Other features once covered by ocean Barrier Islands protect beaches by blocking sand, wind, water tourism, recreation, wildlife sanctuaries Continental shelf very wide reduces the chance of hurricanes

Fall Line Point at which hilly or mountainous lands meet the coastal plain Columbus, Macon, Augusta Waterfalls provide a power source