1. Ch. 1 Essential Questions

2. Standards
SS8G1 – Describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location
SS8G2 – Explain how the Interstate System, International Airport, Deepwater Ports and railroads help drive GA’s economy.
SS8E1 – Give examples of goods and services produced in Georgia in different historical periods
SS8E2 – Explain the benefits of free trade

3. Where is Georgia
Absolute Location – Uses Latitude and Longitude to determine the exact point on earth.
Equator – Line of Latitude at 0 degrees.
Latitude – Lines that run east to west (flat) but measures distance north or south of equator.

4. Where is Georgia Prime Meridian – Line of Longitude at 0 degrees.
Longitude – Lines that run north to south but measure distance east or west of Prime Meridian.

5. Hemispheres Northern Hemisphere is everything above the equator
Southern Hemisphere is everything below the equator.
Eastern Hemisphere is everything to the east of the Prime Meridian.
Western Hemisphere is everything to the west of the Prime Meridian. .

6. Continent We live on the North American Continent
We live in Northern Hemisphere.
We live in Western Hemisphere.
Between north latitude and degrees west longitude
We live in America.
We live in Georgia.

7. Relative Location
Relative Location – Where one thing is in relation to another.
Largest state east of the Mississippi River.
To Georgia’s north is Tennessee and North Carolina.
To Georgia’s east is South Carolina
To Georgia’s south is Florida
To Georgia’s west is Alabama

8. Regions of Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains Valley and Ridge
Appalachian Mountains
Appalachian Plateau
Piedmont
Fall Line
Coastal Plain

9. Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains – Located in northeastern part of state.
Highest and largest group of mountains in Georgia is in this region.
Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain in Georgia
All mountains in Georgia are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain which stretches from New York to Alabama

11. Valley and Ridge
This is between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains
Forests and pastures dominate this region
There are some flat fertile farmlands
Blue Ridge and Valley and Ridge regions have faster flowing rivers because of the drops in elevation

12. Appalachian Plateau The smallest of Georgia’s regions
Northwest corner of Georgia.
Where Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia meet.
Made up of limestone, canyons and rock formations
Cave exploring is popular there
Farming is not good there

13. Piedmont
Begins in the mountain foothills and goes to central part of state.
Atlanta is in the Piedmont
Famous for the Georgia Red Clay
½ of the state’s population lives in the Piedmont
This was the old “Cotton Belt”
Rivers flow fast here, again because of elevation changes

14. Fall Line Coastal Plain is separated from Piedmont by the Fall Line.
This is where the elevated land of the Piedmont “falls” down to the lower land of the Coastal Plain
Rivers flow fast because drastic change in elevation
Cities grew along the fall line because the fast moving rivers were a source of energy in colonial Georgia.

15. Coastal Plain Largest of Georgia’s regions
There are two parts: Inner Coastal and Outer Coastal
Inner Coastal Plain is major agricultural region of state. Fertile soil that is good for farming
Rivers flow slower here because land is flat
Okefenokee Swamp is in Coastal Plain. Largest swamp in North America.
Okefenokee means “Land of trembling earth”

16. Rivers
Chattahoochee River – Runs through Atlanta, forms western boundary.
Savannah River – Border of Georgia and South Carolina
Altamaha
Flint
Ogechee
Ocmulgee

18. Barrier Islands Islands found along Georgia’s coast
The islands are important because they protect the mainland by blocking much of the wind, sands and water
St. Simon’s, Jekyll, Cumberland, Sapelo, St. Catherines

20. Georgia’s Climate
Georgia is in the sub-tropical zone. We have a temperate climate.
Climate has made agriculture a major economic activity.
Long growing season and lots of rainfall allow a wide variety of crops to be grown.
As a whole, Georgia has a hot, wet and humid climate.
Winters are mild compared to rest of country

21. Economic Factors
Georgia’s mild climate has drawn many businesses to the state.
Not too hot in summer and not too cold in winter
This allows for mass production without interference from weather.
Any business that deals with farming would be wise to move to Georgia

22. Georgia’s Economy
Today Georgia’s economy is based both on agriculture and industry
Georgia has become a center for transportation in the southeast.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport has brought large business to Atlanta.
International Airport which allows people from all over the world to come to Georgia

23. Georgia’s Economy
Atlanta’s airport has provided thousands of jobs for Georgians
Provided billions of dollars in income
Provided an incentive for new businesses and industries to come to Georgia