© 2005 Clairmont Press Georgia’s Geography UNIT 2

1. Georgia is part of a group of Southern states that stretches from the East Coast all the way to California that is referred to as what?_________________________ 2. What two states border Georgia on the north? _______________________________ and _______________________________ 3. What state borders Georgia on the west? _______________________________ 4. What state borders Georgia on the south? _______________________________ 5. What state borders Georgia on the northeast? ___________________________ 6. What ocean borders Georgia on the southeast? ______________________________________ 7. What is the name of the river that forms Georgia's eastern border? _________________________________________________ 8. What is the name of the river that flows across part of Georgia and then forms much of Georgia's western border? ___________________________________________________ 9. What is the name of the swamp in southern Georgia? ___________________________________________________ 10. In which part of the USA is Georgia located: northeast, northwest, southeast, or southwest? _____________________________ Review Answer the following questions.

Standard: SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.

Georgia in Relation to the World Geography effects an area and helps define what region an area is a part of. Geography – is the study of the earth’s climate, surface, counties, peoples, industries, natural resources, etc. Region – is a geographic area defined by shared common characteristics or traits.

Georgia’s Global Location Hemisphere: both the Western and Northern Continent: North America Region: South Sub-region: Sun Belt

Geography of Georgia Georgia is located in the following areas: -Region: South (Southeast) -Nation (Country): U.S.A. -Continent: North America -Hemispheres: Northern and Western

Georgia’s location in North America

Georgia’s Climate Georgia’s climate is good for the state’s economy. Georgia’s warm and humid temperate climate help to make GA good for farming and tourism. Each of these factors help to bring businesses and more people to Georgia Georgia also experiences hurricanes, storms, tornadoes, and droughts.

Georgia Regions, Physical Features, and Climate

ESSENTIAL QUESTION What are the significant geographic regions and features of Georgia and how have they impacted Georgia’s growth and development?

© 2005 Clairmont Press The 5 Regions of Georgia

Georgia’s Regions Georgia is divided into 5 regions: 1.Coastal Plain 2.Piedmont 3.Blue Ridge 4.Valley and Ridge 5.Appalachian Plateau Each of these regions differ from each other in size, location, population, climate, and resources.

COASTAL PLAINS

Coastal Plains Vegetation: Outer Coastal soil (clay) is not fertile; Inner Coastal soil is better for agriculture. Climate - hot summers; mild winters Agriculture – turpentine, cotton, peanuts Industry – pecans, paper, pulp, peaches Natural Resources – groundwater, timber Major Towns and Cities – Albany, Savannah, Macon, Columbus, Augusta, Fort Valley, Valdosta Tourist Attractions – Okefenokee Swamp and National Wildlife Refuge, and the coastal beaches and islands.

PIEDMONT

Piedmont Vegetation- oak, hickory, pine forests, elms, birches, etc. Climate- hot summers/ mild winters Agriculture- cotton, soybeans, and wheat Industry- granite, textiles, farming, poultry Natural Resources- surface water- reservoirs, streams, rivers Major Towns and Cities- Atlanta, Marietta, Roswell, Athens Tourist Attractions- Six Flags, White Water, Stone Mountain, Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta Rivers- Chattahoochee, Yellow River, Flint River Lakes- Lake Oconee, Lake Jackson, Lake Sinclair

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK

BLUE RIDGE

Blue Ridge Vegetation – oak and hickory Climate – mild summers/ cold winters. There are great amounts of rainfall Agriculture – apples, corn, and other vegetables Industry – marble Natural Resources – surface water, hardwood timber, marble Major Towns and Cities – Brasstown Bald, Dahlonega, Blue Ridge Tourist Attractions – Brass Town Bald, Springer Mountain (it is the beginning of the App. Trail) Rivers – Nottely River, Tugaloo River, Hestatee River Lakes – Lake Nottely, Lake Blue Ridge, Lake Lanier

VALLEY AND RIDGE

Ridge and Valley Vegetation- the sandstone ridges are forest-covered; various plant species Climate- mild summers/mild winters Agriculture- corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and harvesting of hardwood and pine timber Industry- textiles, carpets Natural Resources- surface water, different sedimentary deposits Tourist Attractions - Major Towns and Cities- Dalton, Rome, Ringgold, Chatsworth Rivers- Conasaugu River, Coosawottee River, Oostanaula River Lakes- Lake Allatoona, Carters Lake

Ridge and Valley

APPALACHIAN PLATEAU

Appalachian Plateau Vegetation – Oak forests cover most of the province Climate – mild summers/mild winters Agriculture – Land is primarily used for hardwood forest and pasture Industry – coal industries Natural Resources – surface water, timber, coal Major Cities and Towns – La Fayette, Trenton, Fort Oglethorpe Tourist Attractions – Cumberland Plateau : Sand Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Pigeon Mountain Rivers – Chattooga River Lakes - none

Appalachian Plateau

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

The Fall Line Located where the hilly or mountainous lands of the Piedmont region meet the coastal plain region Runs from Columbus (west) through Macon to Augusta (east) Water from the hills cutting channels into the softer soil of the plains creates many waterfalls Power source for several Georgia communities are provided by Fall Line waterfalls

The Okefenokee Swamp named for the Seminole Indian word which means “land of the trembling Earth” largest swamp in North America (681 square miles) freshwater wetland (not salt water) located south of Waycross home to more than 400 species of animals President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge which protected land and trees.

The Okefenokee Swamp

The Appalachian Mountains very large mountain range which runs over 1,500 miles from eastern Canada to central Alabama. southernmost part of the Appalachian Mountain chain is called the Blue Ridge Mountains close to 100 miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains extend into north Georgia. These mountains form the first barrier to warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. The cool mountain air causes the moisture in the air to condense and fall to the earth as precipitation (rain, snow, etc.). This precipitation forms the basis of many of Georgia’s rivers.

Chattahoochee River begins in the Blue Ridge Region and flows southwest toward Alabama and into the Gulf of Mexico. the river is a fast moving creek north of the Fall Line and can not be used for boat travel most of the year the river flattens out and slows down south of the Fall Line and can be used for transportation After World War I the Chattahoochee’s fast moving water was used to create hydroelectric power. provides most of the drinking water for the metropolitan Atlanta area

Savannah River natural boundary between Georgia and South Carolina begins at Lake Hartwell and flows southwest toward the city of Savannah before emptying in the Atlantic Ocean used as a source for hydroelectric power provides most of the drinking water for Augusta and Savannah

Barrier Islands also known as the Golden Isles form a barrier between Georgia’s mainland coast and the Atlantic Ocean helps to protect Georgia’s mainland coast form strong winds, waves and ocean currents the beaches and resorts are important to the state’s tourism includes Jekyll, Sea Island, St. Simons, and Tybee Islands other industries on the barrier islands include paper production and fishing.