Higher Education  

Georgia has approximately thirty-eight colleges and universities, twenty-three community colleges, and thirty vocational-technical schools. State institutions include the University of Georgia, in Athens; Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University, in Atlanta; Albany State College; Augusta College; Columbus College; Georgia Southern College, in Statesboro; and West Georgia College, in Carrollton. Private institutions include Emory University, Morehouse College, Clark College and Atlanta University, in Atlanta; Agnes Scott College, in Decatur; Wesleyan College and Mercer University, in Macon; and Berry College, in Rome.

Geography

The largest state east of the Mississippi River, Georgia occupies an area of 152,583 square kilometers. The state's topography can be divided into three sections: the northern mountains, the Piedmont Plateau, and the coastal plain. The Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachian range, are located in the northeast part of the state. Some of Georgia's most fertile land is in the Piedmont Plateau, which is characterized by gentle hills. The Fall Line Hills, a series of low ridges, separate the Piedmont Plateau from the coastal plain. Covering the entire southern half of Georgia, the coastal plain is the state's largest region. Okefenokee Swamp, one of the largest freshwater swamps in the USA, is in Georgia's southeast corner. Some of the major rivers that flow through Georgia are the Savannah River, the St. Marys River, and the Chattahoochee River. The state has 161 kilometers of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Georgia's population is approximately 6.5 million. Major cities include Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah, and Macon.

Climate

Georgia has a generally mild climate. Cool summers and cold winters characterize the northern mountain region. The Piedmont Plateau and coastal regions have warm, humid summers and short, mild winters. Average temperatures in January are 3.8° C in the mountains, 6.6° C in the Piedmont Plateau, and 12° C on the coast. In July, average temperatures are 24° C in the mountains, 26.6° C in the Piedmont Plateau, and 27.7° C on the coast. Georgia's average annual precipitation is 124.5 cm.

Cultural Profile

Atlanta is host to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Opera, and the Atlanta Children's Theater. In Atlanta, one can enjoy a variety of performances including Shakespeare, Broadway musicals, opera, and ballet. Other performing arts groups in the state are the Theater in the Square, in Marietta, and the Columbus Symphony, in Columbus.

Among Georgia's museums are the High Museum of Art, in Atlanta; the Georgia Museum of Art, in Athens; the Albany Museum of Art; the Museum of Arts and Sciences, in Macon; the Military Museum, in Hinesville; and the Gold Museum, in Dahlonega.

Recreation

About 24,282 hectares of Georgia's land area is reserved as national forestland. In addition, over 26,305 hectares are given over to national parks, monuments, and recreational areas. The state has more than 161 km of coastal beaches, and 7,770 square kilometers of mountain forests. One of Georgia's best-known wildlife refuges is the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge. With forty-three state parks and historic sites, Georgia offers many opportunities for fans of camping, hiking, fishing, and water sports.

Interesting Facts

From 1838 to 1861, the United States government minted gold coins at Dahlonega, Georgia (marked with the letter "D," these coins are very valuable today). In 1912, the Girls Scouts of America was founded in Savannah, Georgia. The headquarters of CNN, the cable news network, is located in Atlanta, Georgia. Some famous Georgians include James Earl (Jimmy) Carter (thirty-ninth president of the United States), Juliette Low (founder of the Girl Scouts), Ty Cobb (baseball player), Carson McCullers (novelist); and Martin Luther King, Jr. (clergyman and civil-rights leader).