Georgia’s Geographic Regions

What makes a region? A region can be defined by common characteristics that are usually- cultural, human or physical The five regions in Georgia include: Appalachian Plateau Ridge and Valley Blue Ridge Piedmont Coastal Plain

Appalachian Plateau Region Located in the Northwest corner Smallest of the 5 regions AKA: Cumberland Plateau and TAG Corner- because it connects the states of Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia Geography: Caves, canyons, rock formations Lookout Mountain- flat topped 100 mile mountain Soil: limestone, shale, and sandstone Economy: Tourism-Cloudland State Park- 2 waterfalls The site of a major Civil War battle; Chickamauga Agriculture limited to berries (overall not well-suited) poultry Cities: LaFayette and Trenton

Appalachian Region

The Ridge and Valley Region Geography: Located between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Plateau. low open valleys and narrow ridges Elevation reaches 700-1,600 feet above sea level Shale, limestone, sandstone, clay Forests and pastures Fossil fuel: Coal (Ga’s only coal deposits) Economy: Dalton has a large textile and carpet industry; considered “carpet capital of the world” Major battle ground for the Civil War and a major transportation route between Georgia and Tennessee Some farm land for grain and apple orchards and some cattle Tourism with apple orchards Cities: Cartersville, Calhoun, Ellijay, Rome and Dalton

Ridge and Valley Region

The Blue Ridge Region Geography: Economy: Cities: Located in the northeastern part of Georgia It is 100 miles wide Appalachian Mtns: tallest mountains including Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest point (5,000ft high). The source of Georgia’s rivers sandy loam, clay Includes the southernmost point of the Appalachian Trail Receives the states most precipitation with 80 inches of rain annually. Well suited for forests, vegetable farming, and apples. Economy: mining was once the primary industry, but today it is tourism. Amicalola Falls Tallulah Gorge Cities: Dahlonega (site of America’s first Gold Rush), Helen

The Blue Ridge Region

The Piedmont Region Geography: Economy: Cities: Located in the middle of the state; hills and valleys in north; flatlands in south most populous region with more than half of the state’s population; home to Georgia’s largest cities Once covered with cotton fields Sandy loam, red clay, granite Chattahoochee River supplies water to western part of state as well as Alabama and Florida; forms border to Alabama Fall Line-natural boundary separating Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Drop in elevation. Prevented early settlers from advancing over the steep falls, but provided source of power Economy: Industry, manufacturing and mining (granite) Agriculture: mostly poultry; cattle; wheat, soybeans, corn Hardwood timber and pine Cities: Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus and Stone Mountain

The Piedmont Region

The Coastal Plain Region Geography: Once covered by prehistoric ocean Largest region taking up 3/5 of the state Okefenokee Swamp- covers half a million acres. Primitive wetland and home to hundreds of species of animals. Barrier Islands- protect beaches from wind, sand and water erosion. 2/3 remains wilderness sanctuaries. Fall Line: runs through Columbus, Macon and Augusta. Savannah River: begins in South Carolina and creates the eastern border of Georgia Economy: agricultural heartland of the state with peaches, peanuts, cotton, and Vidalia Onions (rich soil, swampy to coast) Naval stores and paper and pulp products Tourism; islands, beaches, saltwater fishing, marine life Shipping and seafood (two deepwater ports) Cities: Savannah (Georgia’s oldest city), Albany, Macon, Brunswick

What do you remember about… Georgia’s physiographic regions??? Lesson Two (SS8G1b) – Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain. What do you remember about… Georgia’s physiographic regions??? D. 1. Contains GA’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald A. Piedmont C. 2. Contains most of GA’s peanut and cotton farms B. Valley & Ridge E. 3. The smallest physiographic region C. Coastal Plain D. 4. Has GA’s highest amount of annual rainfall D. Blue Ridge A. 5. The most populated of GA’s regions. E. Appalachian Plateau B. Contains mountain ridges with valleys between Contains GA’s only source of a fossil fuel (coal) The location of GA’s capital and largest city E. A. C. 9. The largest of GA’s regions, in terms of land area SS8G1 – The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.

Georgia Outdoors Grand Canyons

Georgia’s Seven Wonders

1. Okefenokee Swamp Coastal Plains

2. Tallulah Gorge Blue Ridge. Three miles long and 1,200 feet deep

3. Radium Springs Coastal Plains. Sapphire blue water in a crystalline.

4. Warm Springs Piedmont. Mineral springs that maintain a temperature of 88.

5. Stone Mountain Piedmont. Solid granite. Largest raised sculpture in the world.

6. Providence Canyon Blue Ridge. Little Grand Canyon. 1,108 acre park containing sixteen canyons

7. Amicalola Falls Blue Ridge. 729 foot cascade of water.