Georgia’s Geography SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location. a. Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres. b. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain. c. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands.

Let’s locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and Hemisphere.

A sphere can be divided into two halves called “hemispheres.” Earth is a sphere. A sphere can be divided into two halves called “hemispheres.”

Equator Divides the northern and southern hemispheres

Prime Meridian Divides the eastern and western hemispheres

Continents There are 7 continents: Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica, North America, and South America

Georgia is on the Northern AND Western hemispheres Northern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere

Georgia is on the North American continent.

Georgia is one of the 50 states in the United States of America

Georgia is in the southeastern region of the US.

Pop Quiz Read this question silently and think about the answer in your head: What is the highest peak in Georgia? a. Amicalola Falls b. Brasstown Bald c. Cloudland Canyon d. Tallulah Gorge

Answer to today’s question B – Brasstown Bald

Essential Questions Which North American regions are found in Georgia and what are some distinguishing characteristics of each? What is the relative location of these regions within the boundaries of the State?

Georgia Performance Standards SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location. b. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain.

The Regions of Georgia © 2010 Clairmont Press

Geographic Regions of Georgia Appalachian Plateau Blue Ridge Mountains Piedmont Ridge and Valley Coastal Plains

What is Physical Geography? The study of the natural features of the earth's surface, especially in its current aspects, including land formations, climate, currents, and distribution of flora and fauna. Also called physiography

Georgia has 5 geographic regions. Appalachian Plateau Valley and Ridge Blue Ridge Piedmont Coastal Plain The characteristics of each region make unique contributions to our state.

Appalachian Plateau Region Also called the TAG corner because Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia connect Smallest region in GA Mining was an important economic activity in the region. Coal was the most important product.

Appalachian Plateau the location of Cloudland State Park. Northwest corner of Georgia Ellison’s Cave is 12th largest cave

Valley and Ridge Region long ridges of mountains, separated by long valleys. Chickamauga – (Civil War battle) Valleys have fertile land good for farming. Roads and streams follow the valleys. A few roads cross the ridges to connect roads in the valleys. traditionally a mining region, with the valleys being used for agriculture. Natural resources – farmland, rock, and timber

Valley and Ridge Lower elevation than Appalachian Plateau Soil good for forests, pastures, and crops such as grain and apples Industry includes textiles and carpet (Dalton is the carpet capital of the world)

Blue Ridge Mountains Region The Blue Ridge range is a part of the larger Appalachian Mountains. The mountains are more rugged and the valleys randomly arranged as compared to the Ridge and Valley region. Most roads follow the winding valleys. Elevations of 1,600 to 4,700 feet above sea level give the region a cooler climate. Brasstown Bald (4,784 feet) is tallest mountain. Appalachian Trail begins here. Gold has been found in the region, and marble is an important natural resource. Tourists come to hike, view wildlife, canoe, raft, and enjoy trees in their fall colors. Highest rainfall amounts in GA

Blue Ridge Highest mts. in the state. Provides water for the entire state through precipitation from trapping warm moist Gulf air Sandy loam and clay soil good for hardwoods, vegetable farming and apples Home to Amicalola Falls, Tallulah Gorge, and Helen 1800’s gold was found – first gold rush in US Cherokee Native Americans lived here until forced off their land

Blue Ridge Images Brasstown Bald: You can see 3 states from this point. Can you name them? Amicalola Falls

Think…. What are the significant physical features of Georgia that have impacted its development?

Piedmont Region The Piedmont is known for its rolling hills between the mountains and Coastal Plain. Plentiful granite and clay soil with fertile farms. Many Georgians live in the region. Rivers flow through the Piedmont, including the Chattahoochee and Savannah. Southern boundary is the Fall Line. Changes in rock type cause the ground to fall away, creating waterfalls at the “fall” line across the state.

Lakes and Rivers of Georgia Cities grew along the Fall Line since ships could navigate from the Atlantic to this point (Augusta: Savannah River; Milledgeville: Oconee River; Macon: Ocmulgee River; Columbus: Chattahoochee River).

Piedmont Piedmont means “foot of the mountain” Begins in the mountain foothills of N. Georgia and goes to the central part of the state. Rolling farmland Soil is sandy loam and red clay suitable for growing hardwoods, pine, and agriculture. Granite mining and cotton production important in region Cotton belt before the Civil War, now wheat, soybeans, corn, poultry, and cattle. Some of the most densely populated cities and crossed by Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, and Oconee rivers.

Piedmont Largest populated region Rolling Hills Chattahoochee River flows through this region Stone Mountain is located in this region Atlanta is located in this region

Piedmont Images Georgia’s Flint River starts in Clayton County. Why do you think most of Georgia’s major cities are located in the Piedmont region? Stone Mountain Sandy loam and red clay make good soil for agriculture. Why do you think most of Georgia’s rivers start in the Piedmont region?

Coastal Plain Region the southern half of state and is the largest region. Lower coastal plain has Georgia’s barrier islands, 100 miles of coastline, marshes, and the Okefenokee Swamp. Flatland makes for highways that are straight and level. Home to many types of wildlife. Farming is important to the region’s economy. Loblolly and slash pines are grown in the region today for lumber. Tybee Island, GA

Coastal Plain Region Once covered by the Atlantic Aquifers are the largest source of fresh water Low, flat, marshland Okefenokee Swamp located in region Rivers in this region are used for shipping and recreation You live in this region.

Coastal Plain There are two parts to Georgia’s coastal plain: The Inner Coastal Plain The Outer Coastal Plain

The Inner Coastal Plain Good supply of underground water Major agricultural region: Vidalia Onions, peanuts, pecans, and corn Pecans GA Peanuts Vidalia Onions Corn

The Outer Coastal Plain Soil not good for agriculture but trees provide naval stores and pulp production Deep harbors & barrier islands also provide for tourism/recreation, fishing industry, and ports for importing/exporting goods. Location of the earliest visits by explorers, first forts for protection, and Georgia’s first settlements.

Outer Coastal Plain Images Fort Frederica National Monument, on St. Simons Island, Georgia, preserves the archaeological remnants of a fort and town built by James Oglethorpe between 1736 and 1748 Trees are used to produce pulp and naval stores. The processed goods are then shipped from our shores. Our shores continue to bring visitors to our state.

Early map of Savannah

Western GA in the Coastal Plains Jimmy Carter’s boyhood Farm is located in Plains, GA Jimmy Carter is the 39th president of the United States and the only president ever elected from the state of Georgia.

Western GA in the Coastal Plains Andersonville, a Civil War prison

Western GA in the Coastal Plains Providence Canyon

Georgia Performance Standards SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands.

Okefenokee Swamp Covers 681 square miles making it the largest swamp in North America Freshwater wetland (wetland: low-lying land area where water lies close to the surface) Native Americans from the Archaic period lived here Area is protected by the federal government

Okefenokee Swamp http://www.gpb.org/georgia-outdoors/season-18/episode/okefenokee See the Okefenokee like never before:

Another type of wetland Salt Marshes: A wetland that is influenced by tides Georgia ranks 4th in the nation in wetland acres A marsh at low tide. The same marsh at high tide.

Georgia’s Barrier Islands “Islands of Gold” Barrier islands protect the mainland from wind, sand, and water that cause erosion. Georgia has 18 barrier islands. These islands are tourist destinations but 2/3 of the land remains wilderness sanctuaries.

Barrier Islands

Fall Line natural boundary between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions

Appalachian Mountains The southernmost point of the Appalachian Mountains is located in Georgia. Georgia’s highest peaks are in here. In the southern states these mountains are often called the Blue Ridge due to the blue haze that appears around their peaks. The highest peak in Georgia is Brasstown Bald, w/ an elevation over 4700 ft. above sea level.

Appalachian Mountains

Chattahoochee River begins in Blue Ridge region of GA and ends at the Gulf of Mexico forms part of the border b/t Alabama and Georgia Native Americans & European settlers long used the river as a food and water source. Today, river is used as water source, for industry, and for recreation

Chattahoochee River

Savannah River forms the border between Georgia and South Carolina One of Georgia’s longest waterways The river has been a source of water, food, and transportation for thousands of years. Historically, it was used for three reasons: Transportation – cultures could move to other places easier Settlement – allowed cultures to settle near a steady source of food Economic – allowed cultures to trade with others

Savannah River continued… Today, the river is navigable for over 200 miles between the city of Savannah and Augusta In addition to shipping, the river, today, is used as a major source of drinking water for Savannah and Augusta, to cool two nuclear power plants in South Carolina, and to generate hydroelectric power.

Savannah River

Do Now 1. What river is the primary source of water for Atlanta? a. Altamaha b. Chattahoochee c. Flint d. Savannah

Answer to Today’s Question B – Chattahoochee River