Where in the World is Georgia?

The United States

Geography of Georgia Region – An area of land that shares common characteristics with itself but whose characteristics are different than other surrounding areas. Nation – Political division of land; also known as a country. Continent – One of the seven large areas of land that cover the surface of the Earth. The seven continents are: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. Hemispheres – Half of the earth. Refers to the halves of the earth formed by the Equator (northern and southern) and the Prime Meridian (eastern and western).

Longitude (Meridians) Lines that measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian

Latitude (Parallels) Lines that measure distance north or south of the Equator Think (“Rungs on a ladder”—Laddertude) OR (“Lat lays flat”)

Equator 0 degrees Latitude The starting point for measuring north or south

Prime Meridian 0 degrees Longitude The starting point for measuring east or west

Coordinates A set of global measurements identifying an exact location Latitude & Longitude

Cardinal Directions North, South, East, and West

Intermediate Directions Measurements between the cardinal directions. Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest

Absolute Location 32.9605° N, 83.1132° W Georgia, Coordinates Identifies a precise position on Earth’s surface. 32.9605° N, 83.1132° W Georgia, Coordinates

Relative Location Describes where a place is located with other places. Dalton is located about 89 miles NW of Atlanta.

The 5 Major Physiographic Regions

Appalachian Plateau

Appalachian Plateau Smallest Region Far northwest corner A maze of limestone, deep canyons, and interesting rock formations TAG Corner Sometimes referred to the Cumberland Plateau Most scenic but less traveled Contains the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Beginning of the Appalachian Trail

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Known for its rugged beauty About 2000 square miles Highest and largest groups of mountains The first barrier to warm, moist air rising from the Gulf of Mexico Precipitation can exceed 80 inches a year Brasstown Bald is located here Landmarks include Tallulah Gorge and the alpine community of Helen

Ridge and Valley

Ridge and Valley Low open valleys and narrow ridges Flat fertile farmlands with fields of grain, pastures for cattle and rows of apple orchards Elevation ranges from 700 to 1600 feet above sea level Known for its industry, particularly textile and carpet manufacturing Dalton, known as the “carpet capital of the world”

Piedmont

Piedmont Begins in the mountain foothills of northern Georgia Gently sloping hills and valleys in the north and flatlands in the south “heartland” of the state Means “foot of the mountain” Granite-based landform makes up about a third of the state Other type of soil: “red” clay ½ of the state’s population Cotton belt of antebellum days Business and industry flourish Densely populated

Coastal Plain

Coastal Plain Outer Coastal: Inner Coastal: Largest: occupies 3/5 of state Inner Coastal: Mild climate & good supply of underground water Soil: limestone to clay Vidalia Upland: onions Dougherty Plain: peanuts, corn, & pecans Outer Coastal: Does not have drained soil nor fertile farmlands Center of naval stores & pulp production Flat and in some areas swampy or marshy Okefenokee Swamp Barrier islands 2/3 of barrier islands’ land remain wilderness sanctuaries

The Appalachian Mountains Very large mountain range which runs over 1,500 miles from eastern Canada to central Alabama. The southernmost part of the Appalachian Mountain chain is called the Blue Ridge Mountains. Close to 100 miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains extend into north Georgia. These mountains form the first barrier to warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. The cool mountain air causes the moisture in the air to condense and fall to the earth as precipitation (rain, snow, etc.). This precipitation forms the basis of many of Georgia’s rivers.

Appalachian Mountains

Chattahoochee River Begins in the Blue Ridge Region and flows southwest toward Alabama and into the Gulf of Mexico. It forms Georgia’s western boundary with Alabama. The river is a fast moving creek north of the Fall Line and can not be used for boat travel most of the year. The river flattens out and slows down south of the Fall Line and can be used for transportation. After World War I the Chattahoochee’s fast moving water was used to create hydroelectric power through dams. Provides most of the drinking water for the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Chattahoochee River

Savannah River Natural boundary between Georgia and South Carolina. Begins at Lake Hartwell and flows southeast toward the city of Savannah before emptying in the Atlantic Ocean. Also used as a source for hydroelectric power. Provides most of the drinking water for Augusta and Savannah.

Savannah River

Rivers Chatahoochee Savannah Flint Ocmulgee Oconee Altamaha Ogeechee Chattahoochee

Why are the Savannah/Chattahoochee Rivers Important Drinking water Hydroelectric power Travel/transportation/Trade

The Fall Line Located where the hilly or mountainous lands of the Piedmont region meet the coastal plain region. Runs from Columbus (west) through Macon to Augusta (east) Many waterfalls caused by water from the hills cutting channels into the softer soil of the plains Fall Line waterfalls provide power source for several Georgia communities

Fall Line

7 Natural Wonders of GA Amicalola Falls Providence Canyon

Radium Springs Warm Springs

Stone Mountain Tallulah Gorge

7th Wonder: Okefenokee Swamp Named for the Seminole Indian word which means “land of the trembling Earth” Largest swamp in North America (About 681 square miles) Freshwater (not salt water) wetland Located south of Waycross (Charlton, Ware, Brantley and Clinch) Home to more than 400 species of animals Water lies close to the surface President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge which protected land and stopped logging companies from cutting down the large, old trees.

Barrier Islands Also known as the Golden Isles (Spanish explorers called the islands “Islands of Gold). Form a barrier between Georgia’s mainland coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Helps to protect Georgia’s mainland coast form strong winds, waves and ocean currents. Important to the state’s tourism. Many people visit the beaches and resorts Jekyll, Sea Island, St. Simons, and Tybee Islands are all connected to the mainland by bridges but others can be reached by boats. Today, the islands are mainly tourist and recreation destinations though the fishing and paper industries are still important economic enterprises.

Barrier Islands

Georgia has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, though the mountainous areas tend to be cooler than that of the rest of the state. Georgia usually has a large amount of precipitation throughout the year and ranges from 45 to 75 inches per year depending on the area, but receives very little snow fall. Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains receives a significant amount of rainfall because of the warm air from the Gulf of Mexico becoming trapped by the high altitude of the cool mountains.

Georgia is prone to tornadoes and often feels the effects of hurricanes, though the state has not been hit directly since 1898. Georgia’s warm, wet, climate has made it an ideal location for agriculture. From its beginning, Georgia was established for growing crops. Georgia’s relatively mild climate has brought many people and businesses to the state, making it the 9th most populous in the nation.