1. Geography of Georgia Graphic Organizer Notes

2. Key terms Geography Absolute location Relative location

3. What is geography? Science of studying the earth and its people Geography helps us understand why Georgia’s native peoples and later settlers chose certain parts of the state as their home

4. Spatial Geography How do we organize the land? 159 counties 5 bordering states –What are they??? (label your map)

5. Places & Regions People create regions to understand the earth’s complexities GA has 5 physiographic regions 18 islands 58,910 square miles of land 854 square inland water miles

6. Physical systems of GA Physical processes that shape the earth’s surface Coastal islands (SE GA) Appalachian Mountains (N GA) Fall Line: line that separates east & west GA

7. Human systems Where Georgians migrated and settled Atlanta – capital Twiggs County – geographic center Port of Savannah – first major settlement Brasstown Bald – highest geographic point

8. Environment & Society Actions of humans that modified the environment Suburban sprawl (Metro Atlanta) Interstates & highways Urban population centers Rural farmlands & agricultural regions

9. How do we use Geography? Interpret GA’s past, understand its present, plan for the future GA’s location relative to other states affects its growth & development

10. Absolute Location A places precise location on the earth’s surface –Latitude –Longitude GA: 30 – 35 N latitude, 80 – 85 W longitude

11. Relative Location Where is GA located compared with other places –North America –Southeastern United States –Atlantic Coast

12. GA’s Physiographic Regions How would you describe the Geographic Regions of Georgia?

13. Key terms & places Fall line Region Precipitation Wetland Barrier Island Continental Shelf Appalachian Plateau Ridge & Valley Blue Ridge Piedmont Plateau Coastal Plain Okefenokee Swamp

14. Appalachian Plateau Region GA’s smallest physiographic region Climate: Cooler because of the mountains Economy: tourism, forestry Location: NW corner of GA Soil: Limestone, shale, & sandstone Features: Limestone caves, deep canyons, & rock formations Lookout Mountain, Sand Mountain, Chickamauga

15. Ridge & Valley Region Climate: warmer than mountains Economy: Farming (apples & cattle) & carpet industry Location: between the Blue Ridge Mountains & Appalachian Plateau Soil: Limestone & clay in valleys, Sandstone & shale on ridges Features: Dalton (Carpet capital of the world)

16. Blue Ridge Region Climate: Mountains provide much of the state’s precipitation (cooler) Economy: tourism, forestry, vegetable farming, apple farming Location: Northeastern part of state Soils: sandy loam & clay Features: GA’s highest & largest group of mountains, Brasstown Bald (highest point), Helen, GA & Amicalola falls

17. Piedmont Plateau Climate: mild winters; hot, humid summers Economy: industry, tourism, & some farming Location: from the mountain foothills and goes to central part of state (fall line) Soil: Red clay & granite base Features: Chattahoochee, Flint, Oconee, & Ocmulgee rivers Atlanta, Athens, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw MTN

18. Coastal Plain Region Climate: mild winters; hot, humid summers Economy: Farming (peanut, soybean, corn, & pecans) Location: from Piedmont (fall line) to coast of GA Soil: Varies from Limestone to clay Features: Barrier islands, wetlands, Okefenokee Swamp, Savannah, Continental Shelf, Naval Stores & pulp production

19. Okefenokee Swamp 681 square miles Located south of Waycross Largest swamp in North America Freshwater wetland Water lies close to the surface

20. Barrier Islands Spanish Explorers called them “islands of gold” Protect beaches by blocking sand, winds, & water that could erode coastline 2/3’s remain wilderness areas Recreation & seafood gathering as well as tourism

21. Shelves & Lines Continental Shelf: part of coastal plain that extends into ocean Fall Line: natural boundary that separates the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont Plateau –Hilly or mountainous lands meet coastal plain –Many water falls here because of the change in land structure Fall Line water falls provide power source for many GA communities

22. Georgia’s Climate What do I need to know? Difference between weather & climate Effect of weather conditions on state Different types of weather phenomena

23. GA’s temperature Mild climate, subtropical feel on coast Hot, humid summers & mild winters Four distinct seasons Vertical climate: cooler climate at higher elevations (mountains) July is hottest month, January coldest

24. GA’s Precipitation Normal year: 40 – 52 inches of precipitation in central & southern regions, 65 – 76 inches in northern regions July is wettest month, October is driest 2007 precipitation – so far

25. Winds & Currents Air masses from Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic control warm summer months Air masses from Canada & Alaska control winter weather Ocean currents, trade winds, & prevailing westerlies aided travel for early explorers

26. Storms over GA GA averages 21 tornados per year resulting in one to three deaths Most tornados in GA generally occur from March to May

27. 2007 Drought Attach activity here from other PPT

28. Think Of Appropriate Categories Look at the bulleted information and create 12 categories to organize the important test information. Then put your category beside each bullet. Hint: the five regions are in there as part of the 12, so you really have to create 7 categories!

29. Possible Categories Okefenokee Swamp Barrier Islands Shelves and Lines GA’s Weather/Climate Human Systems Physical Systems of GA GA’s Spatial Geography

30. Example Bullet Hauls big loads of dirt Used to get from place to place quickly Can be used for waterskiing Used to carry passengers on the road Category Cars Busses Boats Dumptrucks