8th Grade preview unit GEOGRAPHY OF GEORGIA

I. Geographic regions of Georgia OR “The Regions Flipbook”

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia Coastal Plains Largest region – makes up 60% of the state Separated from the Piedmont by the Fall Line. Soft and sandy land with deep, wide, and slow moving rivers perfect for large boats Coastline consists of bad farmland, barrier islands, wetlands, and estuaries Further from the coast you find the peanut, peach, and pecan farms that make Georgia proud Graphic taken from the New Georgia Encyclopedia @ http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-9031&adv=y&hl=y

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia Piedmont Piedmont means “foot of the mountain” Takes up 30% of the state Most populated region Famous for red clay with bedrock underneath Except where the bedrock is exposed, the soil is generally well suited for growing many crops including cotton Information on graphic, see notes on slide 3

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia Blue Ridge Most mountainous Highest average elevation Highest point in Georgia is found in this region: Brasstown Bald (4,784 ft) The mountains of the region cools the warm, water filled air currents off the Gulf of Mexico producing most of Georgia’s precipitation Many of Georgia’s rivers start in this region Information on graphic, see notes on slide 3 Only 1% of Georgia’s farmland is found in this region, though a few vegetable and fruit crops flourish here like apples and pumpkin

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia Ridge and Valley Part of much larger region that stretches down the east coast that consists of ridges and valleys Ridges are forest covered 4% of Georgia’s farmland is located in the region Good land for livestock as well as forestry Information on graphic, see notes on slide 3

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia Appalachian Plateau Smallest region The region is made up of flat-topped mountains with steep sides Many limestone caves and waterfalls are found in this region Poor farming Only known source of coal in Georgia found in the region Information on graphic, see notes on slide 3

II. Important Georgian physical features OR “Major Physical Features You Need To Know”

II. Georgian Physical Features A. The Fall Line Splits two regions: the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont Marks a prehistoric ocean shoreline when the Piedmont was actually the coast of Georgia and the Coastal Plain was underwater Rivers passing over the Fall Line from north to south, pick up speed as they “fall” across the line “Calms” the fast moving mountain rivers of northern Georgia and creates the wide, slow moving rivers of southern Georgia In our study of Georgia history this year, you will learn how the Fall Line is important in river navigation and water power as the state developed High Falls is located along the fall line at High Falls State Park in Butts County. Graphic and information taken from the New Georgia Encyclopedia @ http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-9064

II. Georgian Physical Features B. Okefenokee Swamp Located south of Waycross along the Florida border A National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area One of the largest freshwater wetlands in America Photograph taken from the New Georgia Encyclopedia @ http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-997, http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-575, and http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-574.

II. Georgian Physical Features C. The Appalachian Mountains Stretches from northeast Georgia to southern Pennsylvania Contains the highest point east of the Mississippi River Springer Mountain in Georgia marks the beginning of the Appalachian Trail, which ends in Maine. (2,158 miles long) The Blue Ridge Mountains are considered part of the Appalachian Highlands and cools warm wet air from the Gulf of Mexico, creating large amounts of rainfall most years. Photograph taken from the New Georgia Encyclopedia @ http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-2073&adv=y&hl=y and http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-8102&adv=y&hl=y

II. Georgian Physical Features D. Chattahoochee and Savannah River Chattahoochee – “River of the Painted Rock” 436 miles long, from northern Georgia to Gulf of Mexico Water supply for several cities in Georgia, most notably Atlanta Savannah – 314 miles long, from South Carolina to Atlantic Ocean First European settlement in Georgia was along this river Photograph from the New Georgia Encyclopedia @ http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-2067 and http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-2539&adv=y&hl=y

II. Georgian Physical Features E. The Barrier Islands The coastline of Georgia is a chain of marshes, rivers, and tributaries littered with a group of islands. The islands form a barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches of the mainland, protecting from them from severe wind and water erosion. Map taken from the New Georgia Encyclopedia @ http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-7713

II. Georgian Physical Features F. Salt Marshes Almost of a third of the Atlantic Coast’s tidal salt marshes are located in Georgia’s lower coastal plain. Wide expanses of salt marshes are the most visible physical feature along Georgia’s 100 mile long coast. The salt marshes stretch in a band four to six miles wide between the mainland and coastal barrier islands. A major reason for Georgia’s extensive expanses of salt marsh is that its coast experiences the highest tides along the southeastern shoreline. In general, the higher the tidal range, the greater the production potential of the marsh. Photograph from the New Georgia Encyclopedia @ http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-2067 and http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Multimedia.jsp?id=m-2539&adv=y&hl=y

III. The Climate of Georgia OR “Is It Raining?”

III. The Climate of Georgia Because of its latitude, Georgia has an overall mild climate in most of the state Along the coast there is a subtropical feel Georgia enjoys all the four seasons For most of the state the summers are hot and humid and the winters are mild.

III. The Climate of Georgia The mountains of Georgia still experience warm summers though their winters can be slightly harsher than the rest of the state because of their elevation.

III. The Climate of Georgia Because of the state’s “comfortable” climate for most of the year, Georgia attracts many different companies and industries to the state. Georgia also has a longer growing season that supports a variety of crops.