Unit I: Chapter One

Utopia First described in Plato’s Republic. Usually refers to politics or government. Idea of “perfect” society. Can a “perfect” location for a society exist?

Geography In Greek “Earth’s description.” Study of Earth as home to humans. Really helps understand history.

Latitude Distance North or South of Equator. Goes around around the Earth. Clue: a seatbelt goes around your LAP.

Longitude Distance from East or West of Prime Meridian. Prime Meridian is located in Greenwich, England. Goes up and down the Earth. Clue: You launch a rocket to go up.

Other Facts Georgia is 58,910 square miles in area. 21st largest state in the U.S. Found in Northwestern hemisphere.

Georgia and Geography Georgia is part of the United States. Located in continent of North America. Southeast Georgia touches Atlantic Ocean.

Geography and History Why people did the things they did. How the environment affected culture. How the location affected interaction with other communities. Helps understand economy.

Physiographic Regions: Appalachian Plateau Ridge Smallest TAG corner Scenic, not traveled Cloudland Canyon, Dahlonhega Start of Appalachian Trail

Physiographic Regions: Blue Ridge New York to Alabama Highest/largest mountain range in Georgia These mountains affect precipitation Precipitation- rain, hail, sleet, snow Cumberland Plateau Tallulah Gorge, Helen

Physiographic Region: Ridge and Valley Narrow valleys, open ridges Farm country Dalton

Physiographic Regions: Piedmont Piedmont= “foot” “mountain” 50% of state lives here Red clay Atlanta, Athens, Milledgeville

Physiographic Region: Coastal Plain 3/5 of state Two parts: Inner and Outer Inner- agricultural (peanuts, onions, pecans) Outer- swamps Coast is lined with a barrier islands that protect the beaches that are mostly wilderness preserves (Jekyll, St Simons)

Okefenokee “Land of the trembling Earth” Indians hunted here and used the plants for medicine 700 square miles Lots of wildlife

Fall line Textiles are made here from rivers and creeks. Separates Coastal Plains from Piedmont region. Early settlers didn’t cross it. Macon, Augusta, Milledgeville.

Georgia and Geography Influences where people live and what sort of crops they grow. Georgia’s location means that the climate (weather a region has over a period of time) is hot and moist. The mountain area is cold.

What it’s like to live here Weather: day to day changes in temperature, precipitation, wind etc. Highest temperatures in July, lowest in January. Hurricane season is June-September.

Wildlife The geographic regions vary, as do the wildlife. Fauna: animals of a particular area (birds, fish, reptiles, mammals, amphibians). Georgia is home to a wide variety of animals.

Plants 63% of Georgia is forested. Wide variety of flora: natural vegetation of the land. Examples: azaleas, wild dogwood, trillium