Higher Education  

Nearly half of the institutions of higher learning in Alabama are public colleges or universities. The University of Alabama is the state's largest university, with campuses in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville. Auburn University, another large state-supported school, has campuses at Auburn and Montgomery. Other state schools include Troy State University, with campuses in Troy and Montgomery; the University of North Alabama, in Florence; the University of Southern Alabama, in Mobile; Jacksonville State University; Livingston University; and the University of Montevallo. Among the private schools in Alabama are Samford University Birmingham-Southern College, Spring Hill College, Tuskegee University, and Huntingdon College. Altogether, there are approximately 21 accredited colleges and universities in Alabama, and 19 community colleges.

Geography

The state of Alabama belongs to the part of the USA. called the South. Covering 51, 705 squares miles, Alabama is an average-sized state. The Appalachian Mountains run through northeast Alabama. Southeast of these mountains is hilly land called the Piedmont. The Gulf Coastal Plain covers over half of the state. A few islands in the Gulf of Mexico belong to Alabama, the largest of which is Dauphin Island. Major cities in Alabama are Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery (state capital), and Huntsville. The state's population is over 4 million.

Climate

Summers in Alabama are long and hot; winters are generally mild. Winter temperatures average about 8° C in the north and about 11 C° in the south. Summer temperatures average about 27° statewide. Snow falls in the northern region but is rare in the southern coastal areas. Alabama's annual precipitation ranges from an average of 165 cm on the coast to 135 cm in the north.

Cultural Profile

Alabama has approximately sixty museums. The most popular museum is the Alabama Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. Art museums in the state include the Museum of Art in Birmingham, the Mobile Art Gallery, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery is one of North America's finest theater complexes. Based in Birmingham, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is the state's only professional symphony.

Recreation

Alabama has twenty-four state parks and four national forests. William B. Bankhead National Forest, located in the northwestern part of the state, is a scenic region of lakes, streams, canyons, waterfalls, and hardwood trees. Talladega National Forest includes Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state. Tuskegee National Forest is located in east-central Alabama, and Conecuh Forest is on border between Alabama and Florida. Alabama's coastal area, rivers, and lakes provide many opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.

Interesting Facts

The United States Space Camp, designed for children who want to train like astronauts, is in Huntsville. In 1886, America's first city-wide electric trolley system began operating in Montgomery. Some famous Alabamians are Hank Aaron (baseball player), Jesse Owens (Olympic champion), George Wallace (former governor), Nat "King" Cole (singer), Helen Keller (author and lecturer who was blind and deaf), Martin Luther King, Jr. (clergyman and civil rights leader), and Hank Williams (country and western singer and composer).

 

General Information State Bird: Yellowhammer State Flower: Camellia State Tree: Southern Pine State Capitol: Montgomery Area: 133,667 sq. km Population: 4,041,000 Elevation: 734m-0m Major Cities: Mobile / Birmingham Industry Information Agriculture Industry: Broilers, Soybeans, Beef, Eggs, Hogs, Peanuts and Cotton Fishing Industry: Shrimps and Croakers Mining Industry: Coal, Petroleum, Stone and Natural Gas Manufacturing Industry: Primary Metals, Paper Products, Food Products, Chemicals and Textiles Temperature Range Spring Temperature (range): 10C / 23C (Birmingham) Summer Temperature (range): 21C / 32C (Birmingham) Fall Temperature (range): 11C / 25C (Birmingham) Winter Temperature (range): 2C / 13C (Birmingham)