Download 2016 Unit 1 Study Guide

Georgia Studies
Geography
SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
a. Locate Georgia in relation to region, nation, continent, and hemispheres.
b. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian
Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain.
c. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall Line,
Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands.
d. Evaluate the impact of climate on Georgia’s development.
This is North America, one of seven continents. North America
contains the United States of America, as well as other nations
(such as Canada and Mexico).
United States of America
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This is a map of the world. There are four hemispheres. Georgia is located in the northern and western
hemispheres. Do not get confused! While we may live in the southeastern part of the United States of
America, our hemispheres reference where we are in the world.
Five Geographic Regions of Georgia
Appalachian Plateau
Blue Ridge
Valley and Ridge
Piedmont
Coastal Plain
The regions can be difficult to remember. You live in the
Piedmont region, hilly land and lots of red clay. When you travel
north, you head toward mountains (regions – Appalachian
Plateau, Ridge and Valley, Blue Ridge), and when you travel
south, you see flat land, agriculture, and eventually the ocean
(Coastal Plain).
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Five Geographic Regions of Georgia (Continued)
Appalachian Plateau –
 located in Georgia’s northwestern corner
 smallest region
 sometimes called “TAG” (Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia) region because all connect at one
point
 has many scenic areas, location of Cloudland State Park
 made up of two flat-topped mountains that form Chickamauga (site of a Civil War
battlefield) and Lookout valleys
 poor farming (agriculture) area due to poor soil
 known for its limestone caves
 wooded with thin valleys
 near Chattanooga, TN
 Lookout Mountain, site of major Civil War battle, is located in region, but is actually in
Tennessee
 mining WAS an important economic activity, coal WAS most important product in this
region
(Appalachian) Ridge and Valley –
 rich soil in which fruits, grains, and vegetables are grown
 known for textile and carpet industry, with Dalton being an important city for the industry
 IS a major transportation route between Georgia and Tennessee located between Georgia’s
Appalachian Plateau and Blue Ridge regions
 characterized by low open valleys and narrow ridges
 major battle ground during the Civil War
 traditionally, WAS a mining region, with valleys used for agriculture
 Ellijay also located here
Blue Ridge –
 located in northeastern part of the state
 thanks to its scenic beauty, primary industry TODAY is tourism
 electricity is created through hydroelectric power
 mountainous and has the highest mountains in the state
 Brasstown Bald Mountain – highest peak in the state and southernmost point of the
Appalachian Trail
 cooler than other regions due to elevation
 receives most precipitation in the state (over 80 inches of rain annually)
 starting point of most of Georgia’s rivers, including the Chattahoochee and Savannah
 Dahlonega (site of America’s first Gold Rush) is located in this region
 in the PAST, mining was primary industry
Piedmont (“at the foot of the mountains”) – central area of Georgia
 known for its red clay and foothills
 rolling, hilly plateau
 manufacturing is important
 agriculture important, primarily due to chicken (poultry) farming
 most populous region with over 4.5 million people, almost ½ of Georgia’s population
 Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, and Macon are located in this region
 large amount of granite located here (For example, Stone Mountain)
 mining of granite HAS BEEN important
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 Elberton, “Granite Capital of the World” is located here
Coastal Plain –
 southernmost geographic region
 largest region (takes up 3/5 of Georgia)
 covered by water millions of years ago
 divided into Inner and Outer Coastal Plain
o Inner Coastal Plain – ranges from level land (very flat) to gently sloping, well-drained sandy
loam soil. Agricultural heartland of the state. Important crops include peaches, peanuts,
cotton, and Vidalia onions.
o Outer Coastal Plain – home of Georgia’s oldest city, Savannah, founded in 1733. Also home
to the Okefenokee Swamp (“land of the trembling earth”). Due to abundance of pine trees,
naval stores WERE an important industry in the state. TODAY, trees are used in pulp and
paper production; however, Baxley, GA, is only naval stores producer in the NATION today.
With its location on the Atlantic Ocean, tourism shipping, and seafood are all important
industries in this region. Georgia’s barrier islands (Golden Isles) are located off the coast of
this region
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Georgia’s Physical Features
The Fall Line
 natural boundary that separates the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions
 waterfalls found on line caused rivers to be difficult to navigate
 waterfalls did offer sources of water power and many mills were located on the line
 early impact on transportation and commerce because rivers change from rapids to smooth
 Columbus, Macon, and Augusta located on fall line due to being last navigable upstream
points in state
 about twenty miles wide
The Okefenokee Swamp
 largest freshwater swamp in North America (covers 700 square miles)
 located in 4 counties in southeast Georgia: Charlton, Ware, Brantley, and Clinch
 named Okefenokee by Native Americans and means “land of the trembling earth”
 major source of timber until President Franklin D. Roosevelt established 80% of the swamp
as a wildlife refuge
 protected by the federal government
 home to hundreds of species of animals, including the American alligator
The Appalachian Mountains
 southernmost point located here in Georgia
 highest peaks can be found in Applachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, and Blue Ridge regions
 southern states also call them Blue Ridge mountains
 highest peak is Brasstown Bald (4700 feet above sea level), located in Blue Ridge region
 cool temperatures and magnificent scenery bring many visitors to the area
The Chattahoochee River
 begins in Blue Ridge region, part of border between Alabama and Georgia, ends in
the Gulf of Mexico
 food and water source for Native Americans and settlers
 becomes difficult to navigate between Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions due to the Fall
Line
 TODAY is a water source for those living in the Piedmont area; also used for hydroelectric
power, industry, and recreation
 Georgia has unrestricted rights over the use of the river which has caused both Alabama and
Florida to bring suit against Georgia
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The Savannah River
 forms border between Georgia and South Carolina
 begins in Hart County, forms Lake Hartwell, and flows
to the Atlantic Ocean
 source of water, food, and transportation for thousands of years
 navigable for over 200 miles between Savannah and Augusta
 major source of drinking water for Savannah and Augusta
 cools two nuclear power plants in South Carolina
 generates hydroelectric power
 allows goods to be transported in and out of Georgia
The Barrier Islands
 also known as the Sea Islands or Golden Isles
 chain of sandy islands off the coastline of Georgia, includes Tybee,
St. Simons, Jekyll, and Cumberland
 some are wild life refuges (for example, Cumberland), and
national or state parks
 some have been developed (for example, St. Simons)
 Wow! 3 are privately owned (Little Cumberland, Little St. Simons,
and St. Catherine’s)
 protect the mainland from wind and water erosion
 TODAY mainly tourist and recreation destinations, but fishing and
paper industries are also important to area
Georgia’s Climate
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mild climate, important to the economy of Georgia
humid, subtropical
hot summers, mild winters
warm, wet climate makes it ideal for agriculture, Georgia’s #1 industry
precipitation: 45 – 75 inches of rain per year, very little snowfall
prone to tornadoes, feels effects of hurricanes (hasn’t been hit with a hurricane since 1898)
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Georgia’s Transportation
SS8G2 The student will explain how the Interstate Highway System, Hartsfield-Jackson International
Airport, and Georgia’s deepwater ports, and the railroads help drive the state’s economy.
a. Explain how the four transportation systems interact to provide domestic and international goods
to the people of Georgia.
b. Explain how the four transportation systems interact to provide producers and service providers in
Georgia with national and international markets.
c. Explain how the four transportation systems provide jobs for Georgians.
Four Transportation Systems
(instrumental to the development of the state)
Water
(Savannah and Brunswick’s deepwater ports are important to America’s international trade)
Brunswick Port
o three terminals that import and export general cargo, dry bulk commodities and seafood
o primary port for automobile industry, importing brands such as Porsche and Volvo and
exporting Ford and General Motors automobiles
o important during WWII for building liberty ships
Savannah Port
o located where Mary Musgrove’s trading post was
o important during WWII as ship building facility
o fourth busiest port in the world
o primarily handles automobile and container cargo
Rail
railroads created to connect cities such as Athens, Augusta, and Savannah
dominated transportation in the state for more than 130 years
declined after development of interstate highway system
Atlanta was created due to the railroad
still important to state’s economy, over 5000 miles of track bringing goods into and out of
the state
o eventually had more railroads than any other city in the Deep South
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Highway
Interstate Highway System
 started being planned in 1930s but went into full effect in 1950s under President Eisenhower
after observing German Autobahn during WWII. Purpose was for national defense and to
encourage economic growth and development.
 Lucius D. Clay appointed to lead development and construction. Made sure three of the
interstates (I-20; I-75; and I-85) went through Atlanta, which continued the city’s role as the
Southeast’s most important transportation hub
 connects Georgia to the rest of the United States
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Highway, continued
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I-95 connects Georgia to 16 states and important cities such as Washington and New York
City
I-75 connects Georgia to Chattanooga, Cincinnati, and Detroit
Six interstates (I-20; I-75; I-85; I-285; I-585; and I-675) used by Georgians to commute to
work in Atlanta area.
Blamed for “urban sprawl”
Credited for bringing major national and international
corporations to Atlanta resulting in countless number of jobs
I-16 connects Macon to Savannah
Air
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
 world’s busiest airport (sometimes Chicago’s O’Hare
International tries to take the spot)
 one of largest employers in the state
 connects Georgia to the world
 more than 1000 planes to or from airport per day
 average month over 80,000 flights, 7 million passengers,
and 53,700 metric tons of cargo
 flights from Atlanta go to five continents
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