Alabama

Alternate meanings: See Alabama (disambiguation)

Alabama is a southern state located in the southern United States; the population of Alabama is 4,447,100 as of 2000.

USS Alabama was named in honor of this state.

History Main article: History of Alabama

Alabama was once a region claimed by the Spaniards as part of Florida. The English also cliamed it as part of the province of Carolina. Nevertheless, when the french took over Louisiana they also took over the territory including Alabama. Later when the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase and the Mississippi Territory, there was much controversy as to whether or not Alabama was included. Nevertheless, Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819.

The state of Alabama seceded from the Union and became a Confederate state on January 11, 1861. While not many battles were fought in the state, it contributed about 120,000 soilders to the Civil War. After the war a provisional government was setup in 1865 and Alabama was readmitted to the Union in June 1868.

Law and Government Main article: Law and Government of Alabama[?]

See: List of Alabama Governors

The current governor of the state is Don Siegelman[?] (Democrat) and the two U.S. senators are Jeff Sessions[?] ( Republican ) and Richard C. Shelby[?] (Republican).

Geography Main article: Geography of Alabama

See: List of Alabama counties

Alabama is the 30th largest state in the United States with 135,765 km² (52,419 mi²) of total area. 3.2% of that is water, making Alabama 23rd in the amount of surface water. About three-fifths of the land area is a gentle plain with a general incline towards the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Alabama ranges in elevation from sea-level to a little more than 1800 ft near the Georgia line.

Economy The 1999 total gross state product was $115 billion placing Alabama 25^th in the nation. The Per Capita Income for the state was $23,471 in 2000. Alabama's argicultural outputs are poultry and eggs, cattle, nursey stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, and soybeans. Its industrial outputs are paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic products, transportation equipment and apparel.

Demographics

Important Cities and Towns Main article: List of cities in Alabama

• Montgomery

Education

Colleges and Universities

Professional Sports Teams

• Minor League baseball teams
  • Mobile BayBears[?]
  • Birmingham Barons[?]
  • Huntsville Stars[?]