GEORGIA GEOGRAPHY Georgia on my mind…

Location Relative Location - The location of one place in relation to another Absolute Location - the exact spot on the earth’s surface where a place is located. Latitude - measures location north and south of the Equator Longitude - measures location east and west of the Prime Meridian.

Using Latitude and Longitude Hemisphere – any half of the Earth - North, South, East, or West Equator – divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres (0 o latitude) Prime Meridian – divides the Earth into eastern and western hemispheres (0 o longitude) Lines of latitude and longitude divide the Earth into hemispheres

THE HEMISPHERES

Where in the World is Georgia? In the Northern and Western hemispheres In the continent of North America In the country of the United States In the Southeastern Region of the United States In the Eastern time zone.

GeorgiaRivers Label the following rivers on your river map 1.Savannah River 2.Chattahoochee River 3.Flint River 4.Ocmulgee River 5.Oconee River 6.Altamaha River 7.Ogeechee River

Geographic Regions of Georgia -- Appalachian Plateau -- Ridge and Valley -- Blue Ridge -- Piedmont -- Coastal Plain

Coastal Plain Region In prehistoric times, this area was completely covered by an ocean which made the land flat Agriculture: pine trees along the coast and further inland is famous for peanuts, peaches, and pecans

Coastal Plain Region Continued Industry – agriculture, seafood gathering and processing, naval stores (products for ship building) Deep water ports – Savannah and Brunswick Rivers in this region are wide, straight, and easily navigable

Coastal Plains

Georgia Wetlands in the Coastal Plain Okefenokee Swamp – “Land of trembling earth” Freshwater swamp home to wildlife such as bears, snakes, alligators, deer, fish, herons Saltwater Marshes along the coast support an ecosystem for egrets, fiddler crabs, and other wildlife

Georgia’s Coast Georgia’s coast is along the Atlantic Ocean Barrier Islands along the coast are a chain of islands that form a wall blocking waves and wind from directly hitting the mainland Tybee, Jekyll, and St. Simons are tourist locations Cumberland and Sapelo are wildlife refuges

Golden Isles

Piedmont Region Land is fertile rolling hills Most heavily populated region of Georgia and the industrial center of the state (Atlanta in this region) Rivers in the region are fast moving and narrow with water falls Agriculture - Cotton, soybeans, wheat, chicken, cows

Piedmont Chattahoochee River

Fall Line Fall Line – boundary between the Coastal Plain and Piedmont It is the shoreline of a prehistoric ocean. Land north of the Fall Line is hilly and to the south is flat. Rivers pick up speed as they “fall” through this region and waterfalls form where the land drops to the flat Coastal Plain. Settlements and industry developed along the Fall Line because swift rivers and waterfalls provided a source of power. The cities of Columbus, Macon, and Augusta were industrial cities that formed along the Fall Line.

Blue Ridge Region Part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. Named for the smoky blue color of the mountains. Appalachian Trail begins here. Brasstown Bald - highest point in Georgia Production of rainfall is the main importance of the region. Apples are the main crop.

Blue Ridge Region Brasstown Bald Tallulah Gorge Amicalola Falls

Ridge and Valley Region Long ridges overlooking fertile valleys. Sandstone ridges are forest covered and the valleys are used for farming and pasture. Best known for the carpet industry.

Ridge and Valley

Appalachian Plateau Georgia’s smallest region. A plateau is flat elevated land with surrounding valleys. Many limestone caves, deep canyons, rock formations. Lookout Mountain, Sand Mountain, and Cloudland Canyon are located here. Georgia’s only source of coal.

Appalachian Plateau

Georgia Cities to Locate Atlanta – Capital Athens – Home of University of Georgia Savannah – Oldest city and largest deep water port Brunswick – Large deep port

Rocks and Minerals Georgia is the world’s leading producer of kaolin. Kaolin is a type of clay used to make pottery Georgia is first in the nation in marble production.

Georgia’s Climate Georgia’s location creates a long growing season with mild winters. For this reason Georgia developed as an agricultural center. The mild climate also attracts industry to Georgia. Can you think of reason why this would be the case?

Four Transportation Systems Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Interstate Highways Deep water ports Railroads All these attract people and industry to Georgia and provide jobs.