Graphic Organizer Notes Geography of Georgia Graphic Organizer Notes

Key terms Geography Absolute location Relative location

What is geography? Science of studying the earth and its people Geography helps us understand why Georgia’s native peoples and later settlers chose certain parts of the state as their home

Spatial Geography How do we organize the land? 159 counties 5 bordering states What are they??? (label your map)

Places & Regions People create regions to understand the earth’s complexities GA has 5 physiographic regions 18 islands 58,910 square miles of land 854 square inland water miles

Physical systems of GA Physical processes that shape the earth’s surface Coastal islands (SE GA) Appalachian Mountains (N GA) Fall Line: line that separates east & west GA

Human systems Where Georgians migrated and settled Atlanta – capital Twiggs County – geographic center Port of Savannah – first major settlement Brasstown Bald – highest geographic point

Environment & Society Actions of humans that modified the environment Suburban sprawl (Metro Atlanta) Interstates & highways Urban population centers Rural farmlands & agricultural regions

How do we use Geography? Interpret GA’s past, understand its present, plan for the future GA’s location relative to other states affects its growth & development

Absolute Location A places precise location on the earth’s surface Latitude Longitude GA: 30 – 35 N latitude, 80 – 85 W longitude

Relative Location Where is GA located compared with other places North America Southeastern United States Atlantic Coast

GA’s Physiographic Regions How would you describe the Geographic Regions of Georgia?

Key terms & places Fall line Region Precipitation Wetland Barrier Island Continental Shelf Appalachian Plateau Ridge & Valley Blue Ridge Piedmont Plateau Coastal Plain Okefenokee Swamp

Appalachian Plateau Region GA’s smallest physiographic region Climate: Cooler because of the mountains Economy: tourism, forestry Location: NW corner of GA Soil: Limestone, shale, & sandstone Features: Limestone caves, deep canyons, & rock formations Lookout Mountain, Sand Mountain, Chickamauga

Ridge & Valley Region Climate: warmer than mountains Economy: Farming (apples & cattle) & carpet industry Location: between the Blue Ridge Mountains & Appalachian Plateau Soil: Limestone & clay in valleys, Sandstone & shale on ridges Features: Dalton (Carpet capital of the world)

Blue Ridge Region Climate: Mountains provide much of the state’s precipitation (cooler) Economy: tourism, forestry, vegetable farming, apple farming Location: Northeastern part of state Soils: sandy loam & clay Features: GA’s highest & largest group of mountains, Brasstown Bald (highest point), Helen, GA & Amicalola falls

Piedmont Plateau Climate: mild winters; hot, humid summers Economy: industry, tourism, & some farming Location: from the mountain foothills and goes to central part of state (fall line) Soil: Red clay & granite base Features: Chattahoochee, Flint, Oconee, & Ocmulgee rivers Atlanta, Athens, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw MTN

Coastal Plain Region Climate: mild winters; hot, humid summers Economy: Farming (peanut, soybean, corn, & pecans) Location: from Piedmont (fall line) to coast of GA Soil: Varies from Limestone to clay Features: Barrier islands, wetlands, Okefenokee Swamp, Savannah, Continental Shelf, Naval Stores & pulp production

Okefenokee Swamp 681 square miles Located south of Waycross Largest swamp in North America Freshwater wetland Water lies close to the surface

Barrier Islands Spanish Explorers called them “islands of gold” Protect beaches by blocking sand, winds, & water that could erode coastline 2/3’s remain wilderness areas Recreation & seafood gathering as well as tourism

Shelves & Lines Continental Shelf: part of coastal plain that extends into ocean Fall Line: natural boundary that separates the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont Plateau Hilly or mountainous lands meet coastal plain Many water falls here because of the change in land structure Fall Line water falls provide power source for many GA communities

Georgia’s Climate What do I need to know? Difference between weather & climate Effect of weather conditions on state Different types of weather phenomena

GA’s temperature Mild climate, subtropical feel on coast Hot, humid summers & mild winters Four distinct seasons Vertical climate: cooler climate at higher elevations (mountains) July is hottest month, January coldest

GA’s Precipitation Normal year: 40 – 52 inches of precipitation in central & southern regions, 65 – 76 inches in northern regions July is wettest month, October is driest 2007 precipitation – so far

Winds & Currents Air masses from Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic control warm summer months Air masses from Canada & Alaska control winter weather Ocean currents, trade winds, & prevailing westerlies aided travel for early explorers

Storms over GA GA averages 21 tornados per year resulting in one to three deaths Most tornados in GA generally occur from March to May

2007 Drought Attach activity here from other PPT