2. UNIT 1 Georgia Geography
UNIT 1 ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How can I describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location?

3. UNIT 1 (SS8G1) DESCRIBE GEORGIA’S GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
LOCATION
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS
PHYSICAL FEATURES

4. SS8G1a Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
Concept:
LOCATION

5. Where in the World is Georgia?
Which hemispheres?
Which continent?
Which nation?
Which region?

6. Georgia is in the Northern & Western hemispheres

7. Georgia is on the North American continent

8. Georgia is in the United States of America

9. Georgia is in the Southeast region of the USA

11. SS8G1b Distinguish among the five geographic regions of Georgia in terms of location, climate, agriculture, and economic contributions.

12. GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS OF GEORGIA
Essential Question #2:
Where are the five regions of Georgia, and how are they similar and different?

13. What are the five geographic regions of Georgia?
- Appalachian Plateau
- Valley and Ridge
- Blue Ridge Mountains
- Piedmont
- Coastal Plains

14. APPALACHIAN PLATEAU
Descriptions:
Georgia’s smallest region located in the northwest corner of the state (known as the TAG corner – connects with TN & AL)
Flat or gently sloping land
Poor soil for farming – corn & soybeans

15. APPALACHIAN PLATEAU Descriptions:
Climate – cooler temps due to higher elevation
Site of Lookout Mountain and Cloudland Canyon
Contains Georgia’s only coal deposits; lots of caves

16. APPALACHIAN PLATEAU Descriptions:
Economics- tourism and forestry; coal and limestone

17. VALLEY and RIDGE
Description:
Located in northern region of the state between Appalachian Plateau and Blue Ridge Mountain regions
Dalton, GA is the “carpet capital of the world;” lots of caves

18. VALLEY and RIDGE Long ridges separated by wide, fertile valleys
Description:
Long ridges separated by wide, fertile valleys
Climate – similar to Appalachian Plateau – cooler temps due to higher elevation
Lots of hardwood and evergreen forests

19. VALLEY and RIDGE
Description:
4% of valleys is farmed/used as pastures; crops – corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton; hardwood and pine timber
Economics – textiles, carpets, mining

20. BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS Located in northeast corner of Georgia
Description:
Located in northeast corner of Georgia
Part of the Appalachian Mountains
Site of Brasstown Bald – GA’s highest peak at 4,784 feet
Beginning of the Appalachian Trail is Springer Mountain

21. BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
Description:
Climate - Most precipitation due to high elevation (80 inches/year)– source of Savannah & Chattahoochee Rivers; cooler weather

22. BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
Description:
Agriculture – small farms produce apples, corn, vegetables; pastures for animals
Economics – mining (gold); timber; tourism

23. BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS 1st Gold rush in America (Dahlonega)
Description:
1st Gold rush in America (Dahlonega)
Waterfalls such as Amicalola Falls, Toccoa Falls, and Tallulah Gorge

24. PIEDMONT 2nd largest region making up 1/3 of the land
Description:
2nd largest region making up 1/3 of the land
Most populated region of Georgia (Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, Augusta)
Bordered to the south by the Fall Line

25. PIEDMONT Rolling hills & major rivers; red clay
Description:
Rolling hills & major rivers; red clay
Climate – steamy and hot; possible snow; tornadoes
Agriculture - Cotton, wheat, soybeans; poultry/eggs, hogs, cattle/beef

26. PIEDMONT
Description:
Economics – timber; highly industrialized; carpet milling, aircraft and auto manufacturing, poultry processing

27. COASTAL PLAINS Southernmost region Makes up 60% of the state
Description:
Southernmost region
Makes up 60% of the state
Can be divided into two regions – Inner Coastal Plain and Outer Coastal Plain
Inner – western part; agricultural heartland
Outer – coast of GA and Okefenokee Swamp

28. COASTAL PLAINS
Description:
Once the bottom of the ocean floor – sandy soil in south, fertile soil in north
Flat landscape / major navigable rivers
Climate – hot, steamy summers; cool winters

29. COASTAL PLAINS
Description:
Agriculture – Inner - fertile soil; peanuts, peaches, soybeans, cotton, Vidalia onions, pecans; Outer – less fertile, but has pine trees
Economics – pulp and paper; fishing and seafood processing; tourism and recreation; deep-water ports

30. COASTAL PLAINS
Description:
Barrier Islands protect mainland GA from hurricanes; tornadoes have been destructive recently

31. Look at the
map key.
Which color represents the high elevation of mountains?
Which part of the state is highest in elevation?
What direction do many of the rivers flow?

33. SS8G1c Locate key physical features of Georgia and explain their importance; include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands.
Concept:
LOCATION

34. PHYSICAL FEATURES OF GEORGIA
Essential Question #3:
Where in the state of Georgia are you able to find the Fall Line, Okefenokee swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and the barrier islands?

35. What are some of the physical features of Georgia?
Appalachian Mtns
What are some of the physical features of Georgia?
Fall Line
Savannah River
Chattahoochee River
Okefenokee Swamp
Barrier Islands

36. What and where is the FALL LINE?
Natural boundary that separates the Piedmont and Coastal Plains regions
Zone several miles wide marking prehistoric ocean shoreline

37. What and where is the FALL LINE?
Augusta, Macon, & Columbus were built along Fall Line due to their location as the last navigable upstream points in the state.
Historically, waterfalls were used to create power

38. What and where is the OKEFENOKEE SWAMP?
Covers 700 square miles and located in 4 counties
The largest swamp in North America
Used to be a major source of timber

39. What and where is the OKEFENOKEE SWAMP?
Rich ecosystem with over 1,100 species of plants and animals
Okefenokee comes from the Choctaw meaning, "Land of Trembling Earth“
Seminole lived here and fought 2 wars against the U.S.

40. What and where is the OKEFENOKEE SWAMP?
30 employees maintain this natural region for the 40,000 yearly visitors
Primary emphasis is on protecting wildlife and habitat

41. What and where are the APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS?
Located in the northern three regions of Georgia (Appalachian Plateau, Ridge & Valley, and Blue Ridge Mountains)
Are the oldest mountains in North America

42. What and where are the APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS?
Receives the most precipitation in the state due to higher elevations
Starting point of many of Georgia’s rivers
Tourism - Site of famous Appalachian Trail

43. What and where is the CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER?
Forms part of the boundary line between Georgia and Alabama
Starts in the Blue Ridge region and flows into the Gulf of Mexico

44. What and where is the CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER?
Water is used for farming, industry, recreation, and drinking supply
Current lawsuits from Alabama and Florida over water rights

45. What and where is the SAVANNAH RIVER?
Forms a boundary between Georgia and South Carolina
Starts in Hart County (Lake Hartwell) and flows into the Atlantic Ocean

46. What and where is the SAVANNAH RIVER?
Source of water, food, irrigation, transportation, cools nuclear power plants, recreation
Generates hydroelectric power; navigable for shipping from Savannah to Augusta

47. What and where are the BARRIER ISLANDS?
AKA – Sea Islands or Golden Isles
Sandy islands off coast
Site of Jekyll, Cumberland, Tybee, St. Simons, and many other islands (14 total)

48. What and where are the BARRIER ISLANDS?
Some are wildlife refuges, some have been developed, and some are privately owned
Location of the Spanish missions
Plantations grew rice and indigo
Tourism and recreation
Fishing and paper industries

49. What and where are the BARRIER ISLANDS?
Saltwater wetlands along coast are vital to the food chain
Provide protection for the mainland from storms & waves
Site of Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

50. SS8G1d Analyze the importance of water in Georgia’s historical development and economic growth
Concept:
LOCATION

51. How has water impacted GA?
The Chattahoochee River, the Savannah River, and the St. Mary’s River create natural boundaries
Historically used for food and transportation
Water was/is needed for crops
Rice was the first staple crop in the Coastal Plains; rice grows in marshy areas
Ports of Savannah and Brunswick are extremely important for our economy (deep water ports)

52. How has water impacted GA?
During the Civil War, control of rivers determined economic success or failure
Steamboats eventually moved people and goods
Man made lakes have controlled flooding, created electricity, and are used recreationally.
Today – pollution concerns; water wars with other states; drought conditions; shifting courses of rivers