The state of Georgia is located in the southern part of the United States of America. During the American Revolution, Georgia was one of the Thirteen Colonies that revolted against the British Empire. Out of the Thirteen Colonies thus involved, Georgia was the last to be established. It became the fourth recognized state of the United States after ratifying the Constitution of the United States of American on January 2, 1788.

Peach State

Sometimes, Georgia is also referred to as the Peach State or the Empire State of the South. The southern border of Georgia aligns with Florida; the eastern border touches the Atlantic Ocean and South Carolina. The western border is shared with Alabama while the northern border separates Georgia from Tennessee and North Carolina.

Geographic Features

The northern parts of the state of Georgia lie in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a mountain range in the mountain system of the Appalachians. The central piedmont ranges from the foothills of the mountains to the fall line. At this point, the rivers cascade downwards in elevation to the continental coastal plain located in the southern part of the Georgia.

The highest spot in Georgia is Brasstown Bald at a height of 4784 feet above sea level. The lowest point is exactly at sea level.

The capital of the state of Georgia is Atlanta and it is located in the north central part of the state. The peach is a symbol of the state and that is why it is often called the Peach State.

Some of the important products of the state include tobacco, pecans, cotton, and other forest based products. The pine forests in Georgia are very fertile in the production of turpentine and rosin.

Georgia also achieved the status of the largest state in terms of land area east of the Mississippi River after West Virginia seceded from Virginia.

The National Park Service in Georgia

The park has several important areas under its control and is charged with the safekeeping of them.
• Anderson Ville National Historic Site in Anderson Ville
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area near Atlanta
• Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park at Fort Oglethorpe
• Cumberland Island National Seashore near Saint Mary’s
• Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island
• Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah
• Jimmy Carter National Historic Site near Plains
• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park near Kennesaw
• Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site in Atlanta
• Ocmulgee National Monument at Macon
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Population

In 2005, the population of Georgia was estimated at a little over 9 million. This is an increase of 1.7% from 2004 and an increase of 10.8% from 2000. This increase includes the natural causes of population change (births and deaths) as well the increase because of migration. It is one of the fastest growing states in the United States and it is estimated that its population will grow to over 9 million by 2005.