Georgia (U.S. state)

Georgia is a southern state of the United States and its U.S. postal abbreviation is GA. Georgia was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. It was admitted to the union January 2, 1788. Georgia's population in 2000 was 8,186,453 (U. S. Census Bureau). It is also known as the Peach State.

The state song, "Georgia on My Mind" by Hoagy Carmichael was originally written about a woman of that name, but after Georgia native Ray Charles sang it, the state legislature voted in the state song. Ray Charles sang it on the legislative floor when the bill passed.

The state tree[?] is the Live Oak[?] (Quercus virginiana), the state bird[?] is the Brown Thrasher ( Toxostoma rufum), and the state flower[?] is the Cherokee Rose[?] (Rosa laerigata).

Several US Navy ships have been named USS Georgia in honor of this state.

History

At the time of European colonization of the Americas, Cherokee and Creek Indians lived in what is now Georgia. Though it is unknown exactly who was the first European to sight Georgia, it is possible that Juan Ponce de Leon sailed along the coast during his exploration of Florida. In 1526, Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon[?] attempted to establish a colony there, possibly near St. Catherine's Island[?].

Over the next few decades, a number of Spanish explorers visited the inland region, leaving a trail of destruction behind them. The local Moundbuilder[?] culture, described by Hernando de Soto in 1540, had completely disappeared by 1560.

The conflict between Spain and England over control of Georgia began in earnest in about 1670, when the English, moving south from their colony in present-day South Carolina met the Spanish moving north from their base in Florida. In 1724, it was first suggested that the English colony be called Georgia in honor of King George II.

Massive English settlement began in the early 1730s with James Oglethorpe[?], an English parliamentarian, who promoted the idea that the area be used to settle people in debtor prison[?]. On February 1, 1733, the first settlers landed in what was to become the city of Savannah.

On January 18, 1861 Georgia joined the Confederacy in the American Civil War.

On February 19, 1953 Georgia became the first U.S. state to approve a literature censorship board in the United States.

Law and Government

The state capital is Atlanta and the current governor is Sonny Perdue[?] (Republican). Georgia's two U.S. senators are Saxby Chambliss[?] (Republican) and Zell Miller[?] (Democrat). See: List of Georgia Governors

Geography See: List of Georgia counties

Georgia is bordered on the south by Florida, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and South Carolina, on the west by Alabama, and on the north by Tennessee and North Carolina. It is the largest state east of the Mississippi River. The northern part of the state is in the Blue Ridge Mountains[?], the central piedmont extends to the fall line of rivers, and the southern part in the continental Coastal plain[?]. The highest point in the state is Brasstown Bald[?], 4784 feet (1458 m).

The capital is Atlanta, and the peach is a symbol of the state. The state is an important producer of cotton, tobacco, and forest products[?], notably the so-called "naval stores[?]" such as turpentine and rosin[?] from the pine forests.

Economy

Georgia's 1999 total gross state product was $275 billion, placing it 10^th in the nation. Its Per Capita Personal Income for 2000 was $28,145, 23^rd in the nation. Georgia's agricultural outputs are poultry and eggs, peanuts, cattle, hogs, dairy products, and vegetables. Its industrial outputs are textiles and apparel[?], transportation equipment, food processing, paper products, chemical products, electric equipment, and tourism.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, the population of Georgia is 8,186,453. Its population grew 26.4% (1,708,304) from its 1990 levels. According to the 2000 census, 65.1% (5,327,281) identified themselves as White, 28.7% (2,349,542) as black, 5.3% (435,227) as Hispanic or Latino, 2.1% (173,170) as Asian, 0.3% (21,737) as American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.1% (4,246) as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 2.4% (196,289) as other, and 1.4% (114,188) identified themselves as belonging to two or more races.

7.3% of its population were reported as under 5, 26.5% under 18, and 9.6% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.8% of the population.

Important Cities and Towns

Education

Colleges and Universities

Professional Sports Teams

External Links

• http://www.state.ga.us