Geography of Georgia Locations, Regions, Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee & Savannah Rivers, Barrier Islands, Climate, Importance of Georgia’s deep water ports, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Major Interstate Highways, and Rail Roads.

Georgia’s Location Northern & Western Hemispheres North America United States South South Eastern States Georgia

5 Regions of Georgia Coastal Plain Piedmont Appalachian Plateau Ridge & Valley Blue Ridge

Coastal Plain Covers all of GA south of the Fall Line, 60% of the state Navel Stores, Pine Tree Products, Seafood Industry along coast Kaolin, Phosphate, fuller’s earth, limestone, bauxite

Naval Stores are materials extracted from pine trees, such as tar, pitch and rosin. Tar and pitch were once used to seal wooden ships and keep them from taking on water.

Coastal Plain 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 Okefenokee Swamp found here. Peanuts, Peaches, Pecans

Piedmont Located between Coastal Plain and mountain in north; 30% of state Rolling hills and valleys; areas of solid rock; red clay soil; many streams and rivers cross the region

Piedmont Industries Cotton, soybeans, wheat, beef and dairy cattle, poultry, pine trees. Industrial/business center of state Granite, feldspar, mica, gold, marble

Blue Ridge Located in northeast GA Mountainous; high amount of rainfall; Numerous rivers start here (Chattahoochee); short growing season. Brasstown Bald Appalachian Trail Amicoleola Falls Apples, corn, vegetables, hardwood timber, such as oak and hickory Feldspar, mica, gold, marble

Ridge & Valley Appalachian Plateau Smallest region; in the far NW corner of GA Flat or gently sloping land with high relief over valleys. Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain are here. Small amount of corn and soybeans grown here; hardwoods and pasture land Iron and Coal Located in NW GA between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Plateau Low parallel ridges of sandstone overlooking valleys; elevation between 700 – 1600 feet above sea level. Corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, hardwoods, and pine. Textile industries

Chattahoochee & Savannah Rivers Chattahoochee is the Western border for Georgia. Much of our water is carried by the Chattahoochee. Savannah is the Eastern border for Georgia. Settlement in Georgia began on the Savannah River.

Fall Line- a zone several miles wide Located between the Coastal Plain & the Piedmont regions Elevation drops at the Fall Line causing rivers to pick up speed and create waterfalls. First industries developed along the Fall Line for hydroelectric power. River travel is possible in the Coastal Plain region “up to” the Fall Line. This was the prehistoric ocean’s shoreline

3-2-1 3- What 3 cities lie along the Fall Line in Georgia? 2- What 2 regions does the Fall Line separate? 1- What did the early settlers use the waterfalls on the Fall Line for?

Appalachian Mountains Located in North East GA Served as a natural barrier for settlement in Georgia’s early days. Higher in elevation. Provides a tourism industry.

Okefenokee Swamp Wetlands and swamp in South Georgia. Largest freshwater wetland in the state. Provides a unique nature preserve for alligators, snakes, armadillos, frogs, etc.

Georgia’s Wetlands Wetland= an area of low-lying land covered by water all or part of the time, special plant and animal life are found there Georgia ranks fourth in the nation in total acres of wetlands. The largest FRESHWATER wetland in Georgia is the Okefenokee Swamp

Barrier Islands Chain of 9 coastal islands along Georgia’s coast with the Atlantic Ocean. Provides a barrier for the coast, a unique ecosystem. Provides a national wildlife sanctuary on Cumberland Island. Serves Industry with deep water ports, tourism and seafood.

Georgia’s Coast Is NOT one continuous beach where the sea meets the land. There are swamps, rivers, and streams, and estuaries. - Estuaries= the area around a river’s mouth where fresh and saltwater mix Marshes= 400,000 acres of saltwater wetlands, caused by tides

Georgia’s Natural Resources Some of Georgia’s water comes from aquifers. Aquifers are the water saturated layers of the earth. Rain water seeps down into these layers of the earth. This source of groundwater is found South of the Fall Line. North of the Fall Line, bedrock prevents much water from seeping into the ground. Most cities and industries in North Georgia depend on surface water that flows into rivers and is stored in lakes.

Georgia’s Lakes Every one of Georgia’s 28 major reservoirs has been built since 1910. Without them ,Georgia would not have developed as it did. Lakes or reservoirs were created when dams were built in order to convert flowing river water into electricity. The reservoirs also help to prevent flooding, supply water to nearby cities, provide downstream navigation, and for recreation

Georgia’s Minerals Georgia is the world’s leader producer Kaolin- chalky, white clay found near the Fall Line. Georgia is the world’s leader producer It is used in the glossy paper you see in magazines, china, adhesives, and other things

Georgia also ranks first in the nation in the production of marble Georgia also ranks first in the nation in the production of marble.- Lincoln Memorial This is used for agricultural lime and as a filler for toothpaste and gum. Georgia also ranks first in the nation in the production of granite Georgia does LACK in energy sources. Coal is the only source in the Appalachian Plateau region

The Gulf Stream is a current of warm ocean water flowing from the Gulf of Mexico northward along the coast of North America Trade Winds= helped explorers and merchants sail from Europe to North America Prevailing Westerlies= air currents blowing from the west to the northeast, helped to carry ships back to Europe from North America

Georgia’s Climate Mild climate attracts business and citizens to settle in Georgia. Mild winters, average rainfall make agriculture a major industry in GA. Climate has also attracted many military training centers.

Think- Pair- Share What is the difference between weather and climate?

Georgia’s Transportation Systems Deep Water Ports of Savannah and Brunswick Extensive Rail Network Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Major Interstates of 75, 85, 20, 95

Georgia’s Transportation Systems: What do they do for us? Link Georgia with National and International Markets Georgia companies such as Home Depot, Delta, Chick-Fila, Georgia Pacific, Coca-Cola and UPS call GA home & utilize our transportation systems for their successful businesses. Jobs for Georgians – maintaining facilities, economy surrounding the transportation systems.