Ch. 1 Essential Questions

Standards

• SS8G1 – Describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location

• SS8G2 – Explain how the Interstate System, International Airport, Deepwater Ports and railroads help drive GA’s economy.

• SS8E1 – Give examples of goods and services produced in Georgia in different historical periods

• SS8E2 – Explain the benefits of free trade

Where is Georgia

• Absolute Location – Uses Latitude and Longitude to determine the exact point on earth.

• Equator – Line of Latitude at 0 degrees.

• Latitude – Lines that run east to west (flat) but measures distance north or south of equator.

Where is Georgia

• Prime Meridian – Line of Longitude at 0 degrees.

• Longitude – Lines that run north to south but measure distance east or west of Prime Meridian.

Hemispheres

• Northern Hemisphere is everything above the equator

• Southern Hemisphere is everything below the equator.

• Eastern Hemisphere is everything to the east of the Prime Meridian.

• Western Hemisphere is everything to the west of the Prime Meridian.

.

Continent

• We live on the North American Continent

• We live in Northern Hemisphere.

• We live in Western Hemisphere.

• Between 30-35 north latitude and 80-85 degrees west longitude

• We live in America.

• We live in Georgia.

Relative Location

• Relative Location – Where one thing is in relation to another.

• Largest state east of the Mississippi River.

• To Georgia’s north is Tennessee and North Carolina.

• To Georgia’s east is South Carolina

• To Georgia’s south is Florida

• To Georgia’s west is Alabama

Regions of Georgia

• Blue Ridge Mountains• Valley and Ridge• Appalachian

Mountains• Appalachian Plateau• Piedmont• Fall Line• Coastal Plain

Blue Ridge Mountains

• Blue Ridge Mountains – Located in northeastern part of state.

• Highest and largest group of mountains in Georgia is in this region.

• Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain in Georgia

• All mountains in Georgia are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain which stretches from New York to Alabama

Valley and Ridge

• This is between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains

• Forests and pastures dominate this region

• There are some flat fertile farmlands

• Blue Ridge and Valley and Ridge regions have faster flowing rivers because of the drops in elevation

Appalachian Plateau

• The smallest of Georgia’s regions

• Northwest corner of Georgia.

• Where Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia meet.

• Made up of limestone, canyons and rock formations

• Cave exploring is popular there

• Farming is not good there

Piedmont

• Begins in the mountain foothills and goes to central part of state.

• Atlanta is in the Piedmont• Famous for the Georgia Red Clay• ½ of the state’s population lives in the

Piedmont• This was the old “Cotton Belt”• Rivers flow fast here, again because of

elevation changes

Fall Line

• Coastal Plain is separated from Piedmont by the Fall Line.

• This is where the elevated land of the Piedmont “falls” down to the lower land of the Coastal Plain

• Rivers flow fast because drastic change in elevation

• Cities grew along the fall line because the fast moving rivers were a source of energy in colonial Georgia.

Coastal Plain

• Largest of Georgia’s regions• There are two parts: Inner Coastal and Outer

Coastal• Inner Coastal Plain is major agricultural

region of state. Fertile soil that is good for farming

• Rivers flow slower here because land is flat• Okefenokee Swamp is in Coastal Plain.

Largest swamp in North America.• Okefenokee means “Land of trembling earth”

Rivers

• Chattahoochee River – Runs through Atlanta, forms western boundary.

• Savannah River – Border of Georgia and South Carolina

• Altamaha

• Flint

• Ogechee

• Ocmulgee

Barrier Islands

• Islands found along Georgia’s coast

• The islands are important because they protect the mainland by blocking much of the wind, sands and water

• St. Simon’s, Jekyll, Cumberland, Sapelo, St. Catherines

Georgia’s Climate• Georgia is in the sub-tropical zone. We have

a temperate climate.• Climate has made agriculture a major

economic activity.• Long growing season and lots of rainfall

allow a wide variety of crops to be grown.• As a whole, Georgia has a hot, wet and humid

climate. • Winters are mild compared to rest of country

Economic Factors

• Georgia’s mild climate has drawn many businesses to the state.

• Not too hot in summer and not too cold in winter

• This allows for mass production without interference from weather.

• Any business that deals with farming would be wise to move to Georgia

Georgia’s Economy

• Today Georgia’s economy is based both on agriculture and industry

• Georgia has become a center for transportation in the southeast.

• Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport has brought large business to Atlanta.

• International Airport which allows people from all over the world to come to Georgia

Georgia’s Economy

• Atlanta’s airport has provided thousands of jobs for Georgians

• Provided billions of dollars in income

• Provided an incentive for new businesses and industries to come to Georgia