What is Geography? The word geography comes from two Greek words – “geo” for earth and “graphia” for write about. So that means the word geography means to write about the earth.

A look at Georgia’s Location Relative Location refers to the position of one place in relation to another. A good way to express relative location is by using cardinal and intermediate directions. Absolute Location refers to the exact spot on the earth’s surface where a place is found. To help find absolute location, geographers use an imaginary grid with coordinates

Absolute Location 34°14’12”N 84°29’27”W Relative Location south of Pickens, west of Forsyth and Dawson, North of Cobb and Fulton, and east of Bartow. What are the Absolute and Relative Locations of Cherokee County?

ABSOLUTE LOCATION Latitude – is the parallel lines that determine the location from 0° to 90° north and south of the equator Longitude – the lines that determine location from 0° to 180° east and west of the Prime Meridian. When the address is written out it is known as coordinates

Georgia’s Natural Resources Water Resources – Reservoirs – an artificial lake built to store and control water for such purposes as public water supply, hydroelectric production, flood control, and recreation. – Ground Water – water that lies underground – Aquifers – water-saturated layers of the earth below the surface – Artesian Aquifer – a deep aquifer in which water is trapped and held under great pressure by denser layers of earth above and below the aquifer – Surface Water – aboveground water stored in rivers, streams, and lakes

Rocks and Minerals What are the three largest mineral resources found in Georgia What colors are used to identify them? What region of Georgia are they found in?

More info on minerals Georgia is the world’s leading producer of Kaolin. Before the American Revolution Kaolin was shipped to England’s Wedgewood factory to produce pottery Today it is used to make to make the glossy print on books and magazines. Georgia ranks number one in marble production – the world’s largest open pit quarry is at Tate in Pickens County Marble can be used in many ways – it is crushed to be used for agricultural lime, as a filler for toothpaste and gum, cemetery headstones and monuments One of the most famous monuments is the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

Kaolin Mine in Sandersville, GA Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Photos of Georgia’s Minerals

Physiographic Regions Physiographic provinces – is a region defined on the basis of similarities in physical geography, such as land formations, elevation, rocks, minerals, and soils.

Coastal Plain Coastal Plain – Georgia’s largest physiographic province covering all of Georgia south of the Fall Line (60%). Upper Coastal Plain Lower Coastal Plain Sediment – settled deposits of earth and rock caused by water erosion Fall Line – the line (zone) that marks the farthest inland shoreline of the prehistoric ocean.

Characteristics of Coastal Plain Covers all of Georgia south of the Fall Line (60%) Fall Line is interior boundary, and the Atlantic Ocean is the southeastern boundary. River travel is possible to Fall Line Flat, low relief; no steep hills or rocks; some wetlands; clay, sand, and limestone soil. Pine Barrens and the Okefenokee Swamp found here Peanuts, peaches and pecans – agricultural products of the Coastal Plain Major towns and cities – Albany, Savannah, Macon, Columbus, Augusta, Fort Valley, Valdosta

The Piedmont Piedmont - Georgia’s physiographic province that lies between the Fall Line to the south and the three mountain provinces of North Georgia. This hilly region stretches from central Alabama to southern New York. Bedrock – large areas of solid rock found just below the earth’s surface.

Characteristics of the Piedmont Located between Coastal Plain and mountains in the north (30%) Rolling hills and valleys; about 500 feet above sea level Areas of solid rock; red clay soil; many streams and rivers cross the region Cotton, soybeans, wheat, beef and dairy, cattle, poultry, and pine trees – agricultural products Major towns and cities - Atlanta, Marietta, Roswell, Athens, Canton, Alpharetta

Blue Ridge Blue Ridge – physiographic province stretching from northern Georgia to southern Pennsylvania that includes the highest mountains in the Appalachian Highlands.

Characteristics of the Blue Ridge Located in northeast Georgia Mountainous High amounts of rainfall; numerous rivers start here; high erosion rates; short growing season Less than 1 percent prime farmland. Brasstown Bald and beginning of the Appalachian Trail are here. Apples, corn, vegetables, hardwood timber such as oak and hickory. Major towns and cities - Brasstown, Dahlonega, Blue Ridge

Ridge and Valley Ridge and Valley – the physiographic province located in northwest Georgia, noted for long, often parallel ridges, separated by valleys. This province extends from central Alabama northward into Canada.

Characteristics of Ridge and Valley Located in northwest Georgia between the Blue Ridge Mountain and the Appalachian Plateau regions Long parallel ridges of sandstone overlooking valleys; elevation from 700 to 1,600 feet above sea level Corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, hardwoods and pine – agricultural products. Major towns and cities - Dalton, Rome, Ringgold, Chatsworth.

Plateau Appalachian Plateau – physiographic province of high plateaus separated by valleys, stretching from northern Alabama to central New York. About 300 square miles of northwest Georgia lie in the Plateau region.

Characteristics of the Plateau Smallest region in the far northwest corner of Georgia Flat or gently sloping land with high relief over valleys. Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain are here. Small amounts of corn and soybeans grown here; hardwoods and pasture land – agricultural products. Major Cities and Towns – La Fayette, Trenton, Fort Oglethorpe

Mnemonic for remembering the 5 regions Alligators Appalachian Plateau Rarely Ridge and Valley Bite Blue Ridge People Piedmont Camping Coastal Plains