1. Essential Questions
What are the significant physical features of Georgia that have impacted its development?
How is the impact of these features manifested?

2. 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

3. Okefenokee Swamp

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Barrier Islands

7. Continental Shelf: The Fall Line: Where the land meets the sea
Natural boundary between Piedmont and Coastal Plain
Where hilly land meets the coastal plain
Runs from Columbus through Macon to Augusta
Prevented exploration but provided for settlements

8. Fall Line
natural boundary between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions

9. Appalachian Mountains
The southernmost point of the Appalachian Mountains is located in Georgia.
Georgia’s highest peaks are in the Appalachian Mountain ranges.
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, which has an elevation of over 4700 feet above sea level.

10. Appalachian Mountains

11. Chattahoochee River
A song was written about the Chattahoochee River by Alan Jackson

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

13. Chattahoochee River

14. 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

15. 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.

16. Savannah River

17. Essential Questions
How has climate played a role in development of prehistoric cultures?

18. Temperate climate has an affect on economy and development
Tourism
Mountains attract hikers and skiers in winter
Coastal Plain attracts beach-goers
Agriculture
Longer growing season than most states
Amount of rain in Piedmont helps peanuts & tobacco
Industries – developed because of climate
Textile – oldest industry in GA because of cotton crop
Pine forests regrow rapidly
Corporations – employees enjoy living in warm climate

19. Weather Affected by winds that blow from west toward east in winter
Can cause snow or rainstorms and sharp changes
More rain in Blue Ridge Mountains region

20. Hurricanes Spiraling wind systems that can cause great damage
Form over water
Form in Atlantic Ocean

21. Tornadoes Occur mostly during severe thunderstorms
Form over land, unlike hurricanes

22. Prehistoric cultures and climate
Georgia’s climate allowed the early Native Americans to trade with other cultures.
Native Americans were able to use a variety of sources to get food, clothing, and shelter.

23. Climate important at other times in history
From its beginning Georgia was established for growing crops, and James Oglethorpe and the rest of the trustees hoped its climate would allow for the cultivation of rice, indigo, wine and silk.
Once slavery was allowed in the colony, Georgia developed the plantation based agriculture of the rest of the South.
After the Civil War, Georgia remained predominately an agricultural state until the 20th century.