1. Appalachian Plateau Region GA’s smallest physiographic region Climate: Cooler because of the mountains Economy: tourism, forestry Location: NW corner of GA Features: Limestone caves, deep canyons, & rock formations Lookout Mountain, Sand Mountain, Chickamauga Soil: Limestone, shale, & sandstone

2. Ridge & Valley Region Location: between the Blue Ridge Mountains & Appalachian Plateau Climate: warmer than mountains Soil: Limestone & clay in valleys, Sandstone & shale on ridges Economy: Farming (apples & cattle) & carpet industry Features: Dalton (Carpet capital of the world)

3. Blue Ridge Region Climate: Mountains provide much of the state’s precipitation (cooler) Location: Northeastern part of state Features: GA’s highest & largest group of mountains, Brasstown Bald (highest point), Helen, GA & Amicalola falls Soils: sandy loam & clay Economy: tourism, forestry, vegetable farming, apple farming

4. Piedmont Plateau Climate: mild winters; hot, humid summers Location: from the mountain foothills and goes to central part of state (fall line) Economy: industry, tourism, & some farming Soil: Red clay & granite base Features: Chattahoochee, Flint, Oconee, & Ocmulgee rivers Atlanta, Athens, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw MTN

5. Coastal Plain Region Climate: mild winters; hot, humid summers Economy: Farming (peanut, soybean, corn, & pecans) Location: from Piedmont (fall line) to coast of GA Soil: Varies from Limestone to clay Features: Barrier islands, wetlands, Okefenokee Swamp, Savannah, Continental Shelf, Naval Stores & pulp production

6. Barrier Islands Spanish Explorers called them “islands of gold” Protect beaches by blocking sand, winds, & water that could erode coastline 2/3’s remain wilderness areas Recreation & seafood gathering as well as tourism