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'''Georgia''' This state is boring so we decided not to put anything.
'''Georgia''' {{IPAc-en|en-us-Georgia.ogg|ˈ|dʒ|ɔr|dʒ|ⁱ|ə}} is a ] located in the southeastern ]. It was established in 1732, the last of the original ]. The state is named after ] of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the ], on January 2, 1788. It declared its secession from the Union on January 21, 1861, and was one of the original seven ]. It was the last state to be restored to the Union, on July 15, 1870.

The ] reported 9,687,653 residents, making Georgia the ninth most populous state.<ref name="2010Census"/>
From 2007 to 2008, 14 of ] ranked among the nation's 100 fastest-growing, second only to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.times-herald.com/Local/Coweta-is-the-41st-fastest-growing-county-in-United-States-690912 |title=Coweta is the 41st fastest growing county in United States |publisher=The Times-Herald |date= |accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref> Georgia is known as the ''Peach State'' and the ''Empire State of the South''. ] is the capital and the most populous city.

Georgia is bordered on the south by ]; on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and ]; on the west by ]; and on the north by ] and ]. The northern part of the state is in the ], a ] in the vast ] system. The central ] extends from the ] to the ], where the rivers cascade down in elevation to the continental ] of the southern part of the state. The highest point in Georgia is ], 4,784&nbsp;feet (1,458&nbsp;m); the lowest point is ].

With an area of 59,425&nbsp;square miles (153,909&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), Georgia is ranked 24th in size among the 50 U.S. states. Georgia is the largest state east of the ] in terms of land area, although it is the fourth largest (after ], Florida, and ]) in total area, a term which includes expanses of water which are part of state territory.<ref>. Retrieved December 26, 2006.</ref>

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Georgia (U.S. state)}}

===Boundaries===
Beginning from the ], the state's eastern border with South Carolina runs up the ], northwest to its origin at the ] of the ] and ]s. It then continues up the Tugaloo (originally Tugalo) and into the ], its most significant ]. These bounds were decided in the 1797 ], and tested in the ] in the two ''Georgia v. South Carolina'' cases in 1923 and 1989.

The border then takes a sharp turn around the tip of ], at ], though from this point it diverges slightly south (due to inaccuracies in the original survey). This originally was the Georgia and North Carolina border all the way back to the ], until ] was divided from ], and ] and ] (the ]) were taken from Georgia.{{clarify|this seems to get into history which should be somewhere, but this needs to describe current boundaries not past ones|date=February 2011}}

The state's western border then departs in another straight line south-southeastward, at a point southwest of ], to meet the westernmost point of the ] near ]. It continues down to the point where it ends at the ] (the confluence of the two forming Florida's ]), and goes almost due east and very slightly south, in a straight line to the origin of the ], which then forms the remainder of the boundary back to the ocean.

It should be noted that the water boundaries are still set to be the original ] of the rivers. Since then, several have been inundated by lakes created by dams, including the ] point now under ].

Georgia state legislators have claimed that the state's border with Tennessee has been erroneously placed one mile (1.6&nbsp;km) further south than intended in an 1818 survey, and proposed that the border should be corrected. This would allow Georgia, in the midst of a significant ], to access water from the ].<ref> ''Los Angeles Times''.</ref>

===Geology and terrain===
]
{{Main|Geology of Georgia (U.S. state)}}

Each region has its own distinctive characteristics. For instance, the Ridge and Valley, which lies in the northwest corner of the state, includes limestone, sandstone, shale and other sedimentary rocks, which have yielded construction-grade limestone, barite, ocher and small amounts of coal.

===Flora===
{{Main|Ecology of Georgia (U.S. state)}}

Georgia has a diverse mix of flora and fauna. The State of Georgia has approximately 250 tree species and 58 protected plants. Georgia's native trees include ], a variety of pines, oaks, maples, ], ] and scaly-bark and white ], as well as many others. ]s and other subtropical flora are found in the southern and coastal regions. ], and ] make up just a few of the flowering shrubs in the state.

===Fauna===
] are in nearly all counties. The ] and ] are among the 160 bird species that live in the state.<ref name="city-data">. Retrieved February 3, 2007.</ref>

Reptiles include the ], ], and ], ]s, ]s, ]s and ]s. There are about 79 species of reptile and 63 amphibians known to live in Georgia.<ref name="city-data"/>

The most popular freshwater game fish<!---not sure that "gamefish" should be here per se. More under tourism perhaps---> are ], ], ], and ], all but the last of which are produced in state hatcheries for restocking. Popular saltwater game fish include ], ], ], and ], among many others. ]s, ]s, ], ]s, and ] are found inshore and offshore of the Georgia coast.<ref name="city-data"/>

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Georgia (U.S. state)}}
]

The majority of Georgia is primarily a ]. Hot and humid summers are typical, except at the highest elevations. The entire state, including the ], receives moderate to heavy precipitation, which varies from 45&nbsp;inches (1143&nbsp;mm) in central Georgia<ref> ''The Weather Channel''.</ref> to approximately 75&nbsp;inches (1905&nbsp;mm) around the northeast part of the state.<ref> ''The Weather Channel''.</ref> The degree to which the weather of a certain region of Georgia is subtropical depends on the latitude, its proximity to the ] or ] and the elevation. The latter factor is felt chiefly in the mountainous areas of the northern part of the state, which are farther away from the ocean and can be 4500 feet (1350 m) above sea level. The USDA Plant ]s for Georgia range from zone 6b (no colder than {{convert|-5|F}} ) in the ] mountains to zone 8b (no colder than {{convert|15|F}} ) along the ] coast and ] border.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-georgia-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php |title=Georgia USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher= |date= |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>

The highest temperature ever recorded is 112 °F (44.4 °C) at ] on July 24, 1952,<ref> ''USA Today, last updated August 2004''.</ref> while the lowest is −17 °F (−27.2 °C) at northern ] on January 27, 1940.<ref> ''USA Today, last updated August 2006''</ref> Georgia is one of the leading states in frequency of ]es, though they rarely are stronger than ]. A tornado hit downtown Atlanta on March 14, 2008, causing moderate to severe damage. With a coastline on the ], Georgia is also vulnerable to ]s, although direct hurricane strikes were rare during the 20th century. Georgia often is affected by hurricanes that strike the Florida panhandle, weaken over land, and bring strong ] winds and heavy rain to the interior, as well as hurricanes that come close to the Georgia coastline, brushing the coast on their way north.

{| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|
|+ Monthly average daily high and low temperatures for major Georgia cities
|- style="background: #E5AFAA;text-align:center;"
! City
! Jan
! Feb
! Mar
! Apr
! May
! Jun
! Jul
! Aug
! Sep
! Oct
! Nov
! Dec
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-align:center;"
! Athens
| 51/11<br />33/1
| 56/13<br />35/2
| 65/18<br />42/6
| 73/23<br />49/9
| 80/27<br />58/14
| 87/31<br />65/18
| 90/32<br />69/21
| 88/31<br />68/20
| 82/28<br />63/17
| 73/23<br />51/11
| 63/17<br />42/6
| 54/12<br />35/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Atlanta
| 52/11<br />34/1
| 57/14<br />36/2
| 65/18<br />44/7
| 73/23<br />50/10
| 80/27<br />60/16
| 86/30<br />67/19
| 89/32<br />71/22
| 88/31<br />70/21
| 82/28<br />64/18
| 73/23<br />53/12
| 63/17<br />44/7
| 55/13<br />36/2
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-slide:center;"
! Augusta
| 56/13<br />33/1
| 61/16<br />36/4
| 69/21<br />42/6
| 77/25<br />48/9
| 84/29<br />57/14
| 90/32<br />65/18
| 92/33<br />70/21
| 90/32<br />68/20
| 85/29<br />62/17
| 76/24<br />50/10
| 68/20<br />41/5
| 59/15<br />35/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Columbus
| 57/14<br />37/3
| 62/17<br />39/4
| 69/21<br />46/8
| 76/24<br />52/11
| 83/28<br />61/16
| 90/32<br />69/21
| 92/33<br />72/22
| 91/32<br />72/22
| 86/30<br />66/19
| 77/25<br />54/12
| 68/20<br />46/8
| 59/15<br />39/4
|- style="background: #F8F3CA;text-align:center;"
! Macon
| 57/14<br />34/1
| 61/16<br />37/3
| 68/20<br />44/7
| 76/24<br />50/10
| 83/28<br />59/15
| 90/32<br />67/19
| 92/33<br />70/21
| 90/32<br />70/21
| 85/29<br />64/18
| 77/25<br />51/11
| 68/20<br />42/6
| 59/15<br />36/2
|- style="background: #C5DFE1;text-align:center;"
! Savannah
| 60/16<br />38/3
| 64/18<br />41/5
| 71/22<br />48/9
| 78/26<br />53/12
| 84/29<br />61/16
| 90/32<br />68/20
| 92/33<br />72/22
| 90/32<br />71/22
| 86/30<br />67/19
| 78/26<br />56/13
| 70/21<br />47/8
| 63/17<br />40/4
|-
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;background:#E8EAFA;"|''Temperatures are given in °F/°C format, with highs on top of lows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbyday.com/georgia/ |title=Weather By Day Georgia |publisher=Weatherbyday.com |date= |accessdate=2010-10-24}}</ref>''
|}

===Protected lands===
{{Main|Protected areas of Georgia (U.S. state)}}

There are 63 parks in Georgia, 48 of which are state parks and 15 that are historic sites, and numerous state wildlife preserves, under the supervision of the ].<ref>, accessed May 13, 2007</ref> Other historic sites and parks are supervised by the ] and include the ] in ]; ]; ] near ]; ] at ]; ] near ]; ] on ]; ] in ]; ] near ]; ] near ]; ] in Atlanta; ] at ]; ]; and the ] in ]<ref>, accessed May 13, 2007</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Georgia (U.S. state)}}

===Early history===
The local ] culture, described by ] in 1540, completely disappeared by 1560. Early on, in the course of European exploration of the area, a number of Spanish explorers visited the inland region of Georgia.

The conflict between Spain and ] over control of Georgia began in earnest in about 1670, when the English founded the ] colony in present-day South Carolina. Nearly a century earlier, the Spanish of ] had established the missionary provinces of ] and ] on the coast and ] of present-day Georgia. After decades of fighting, the Carolinians and allied Native Americans permanently destroyed the Spanish mission system during the invasions of 1702 and 1704.
] Native Americans meet with the Trustee of the colony of Georgia in England, July 1734. A Native American boy is in a blue coat. A woman is in a red dress (European clothing).]]

After 1704, Spanish control was limited to ] and ], both in present-day Florida. The Florida peninsula was subjected to raids as far as the ]. The coast of Georgia was occupied by now ]-allied Native Americans such as the ] until the ] of 1715–1717, after which the region was depopulated, opening up the possibility of a new British
colony. In 1724, it was first suggested the British colony there be called ] in honor of King ].

British interest in establishing a colony below South Carolina came from varied sources. ] was a threat to South Carolina and a haven for runaway slaves. The French in the 1720s established a ] near present-day ], also a threat to British interests in the region. Traders from ], had established ]s as far west as the ], near present-day ]. The British trading network kept the ] allied with them; the French move threatened to wrest these Indians' trade away from the British. These strategic interests made the British government interested in establishing a new colony that would reinforce the British influence in the border country that had been open to Spanish and French penetration.

Meanwhile, many members of the ] had become concerned about the plight of Britain's debtors. A parliamentary committee investigated and reported on conditions in Britain's debtor prisons. A group of ]s organized themselves to establish a colony where the "worthy poor" of Britain could reestablish themselves as productive citizens. This goal was seen as both philanthropic, helping these distressed people, and patriotic, simultaneously relieving Britain of the burden of the imprisoned debtors and augmenting Britain's vital mercantile empire by planting new, industrious subjects to strengthen her trade.

In 1732, a group of these philanthropists were granted a royal charter as the Trustees of the Province of Georgia. They carefully selected the first group of colonists to send to the new colony. On 12 February 1733, 113 settlers aboard the ''Anne'' landed at what was to become the city of ]. This day is now known as ], which is not a ] but is observed in schools and by some local civic groups. ], one of the trustees of the colony, traveled with the first group of colonists, laid out the design of the town of Savannah, and acted as governor of the colony, although technically under the trustees there was no "governor." Oglethorpe acted as the only trustee present in the colony. When he returned to Britain, a series of disputes ended his tenure governing the colony; Georgia was then led by a series of presidents named by the trustees.

A large majority of the original settlers were English, but at the time Georgia was founded in 1732, the number of non-English immigrants to the 13 colonies was at an all time high. Although religious toleration was not valued in itself, the pragmatic need to attract settlers led to broad religious freedoms. South Carolina wanted German ], Scottish ], ], French ]s and ]s, and English and Welsh Protestants whom they valued as a counter to the French and Spanish Catholic and absolutist presence to the south. When the Moravians turned out to be pacifists who refused to serve in the colonial defense against Spain, they were expelled by the British in 1738. Catholics were denied the right to own property.<ref name="Patricia U. Bonomi 1986, p 32-33">Patricia U. Bonomi, "Under the Cope of Heaven. Religion, Society and Politics in Colonial America", Oxford University Press, 1986, p 32-33</ref>

Jewish immigrants fleeing the ], which was being carried out by the Spanish colonies in the New World, were allowed in after some debate, owing to the leadership of James Oglethorpe. In 1733, over forty Jews fleeing persecution arrived in Savannah, the largest such group to enter an American colony up to that time. Among them was ], who was the first doctor in Georgia. He immediately showed his value as a citizen by playing an invaluable role in curbing an epidemic that had already killed scores of English and Scottish settlers, and was credited with saving the colony by General Oglethorpe.<ref name="Patricia U. Bonomi 1986, p 32-33"/>
], seen here on his plantation, teaches ] Native Americans how to use European technology. Painted in 1805.]]
In 1752, after the government failed to renew subsidies that had helped support the colony, the Trustees turned over control to the ]. Georgia became a ], with a governor appointed by the king.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-816 |title=Trustee Georgia, 1732–1752 |publisher=Georgiaencyclopedia.org |date=2009-07-27 |accessdate=2010-10-24}}</ref> However, even after Georgia eventually became a royal colony (1752), there were so many dissenters (Protestants of minority denominations, that is, non-Anglican) that the establishment of the Church of England was successfully resisted until 1752. These dissenting churches were the mainstay of the Revolutionary movement, culminating in the War for Independence from Britain, through the patriotic and anti-authoritarian sermons of their ministers, and the use of the churches to organize rebellion. Whereas the ] tended to preach stability and loyalty to the Crown, other Protestant sects preached heavily from the ] and
emphasized freedom and equality of all men before God, as well as the moral responsibility to rebel against tyrants.<ref>Patricia U. Bonomi, "Under the Cope of Heaven. Religion, Society and Politics in Colonial America", Oxford University Press, Chapter 7 'Religion and the American Revolution'</ref>

===Revolutionary War history===
{{Main|Georgia during the American Revolution}}

] was one of the ] that revolted against ] rule in the ] by signing the 1776 ], despite a large population of people loyal to the crown. Since Georgia was a relatively new colony at the time compared to the other twelve colonies, Georgia was not as active in the war. Also, the Georgian militia was not fully developed, which led to the capture of ] by British forces in December 1778.

American forces under the command of ] combined with French forces under the command of ] to lay ] to ] in 1779. The attempt was unsuccessful, and ] remained in British hands until the end of the war. During the war, nearly one-third of the slaves, more than 5,000 enslaved African Americans, exercised their desire for independence by escaping and joining British forces, where they were promised freedom. Some went to Great Britain or the Caribbean; others were resettled in Canada provinces.<ref>{{cite web|author=Steven Mintz |url=http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/hyperhistorian.cfm |title=Digital History |publisher=Digitalhistory.uh.edu |date= |accessdate=2010-10-24}}</ref> Other estimates show an even greater impact from the war, when slaves escaped during the disruption. "The sharp decline between 1770 and 1790 in the proportion of the population made up of blacks (almost all of whom were slaves) from 45.2 percent to 36.1 percent in Georgia."<ref>Peter
Kolchin, ''American Slavery: 1619–1877'', New York: Hill and Wang, 1994, p. 73</ref>

Following the war, Georgia became the fourth state of the ] after ratifying the ] on 2 January 1788. Georgia established its first state constitution in 1777. The state established new constitutions in 1788, 1799, ], 1865, 1868, 1877, 1945, 1976, and 1983, for a total of 10 — more constitutions than any other state, except for Louisiana, which has had 11.

In 1829, gold was discovered in the north Georgia mountains, resulting in the ], the second ] in U.S. history. A Federal mint was established in ] and continued to operate until 1861. An influx of white settlers pressured the U.S. government to take the land away from the citizens of the ], who operated their own government, complete with a written constitution, and who did not recognize the authority of the state of Georgia.
]
The dispute culminated in the ] of 1830, under which all eastern tribes were sent west to ]s in present-day Oklahoma. In ], the Supreme Court in 1832 ruled that states were not permitted to redraw the boundaries of Indian lands, but President ] and the state of Georgia ignored the ruling. In 1838, his successor, ] dispatched federal troops to round up the Cherokee and deport them west of the ]. This forced relocation, known as the ], led to the death of over 4,000 Cherokees.
]

===Confederate history===
{{Main|Georgia in the American Civil War}}
On January 18, 1861, Georgia joined the ] and became a major ] of the ]. Major battles took place at ], ], and ]. In December 1864, a large swath of the state from Atlanta to Savannah was destroyed during General ]'s ]. This event served as the historical background for the 1936 novel '']'' and the ] of the same name. On July 15, 1870, following ], Georgia became the last former Confederate state to be reseated in Congress and restored to the ]. On April 29, 2009, ] ] signed into law a bill that will make April Confederate History and Heritage month in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/10742 |title=Governor Perdue signs Confederate History Month bill |publisher=Canadafreepress.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref>

===Capitals===
Georgia has had five official ]: colonial ]; which later alternated with ]; then (for a decade) ] (pronounced Lewis-ville, {{IPA|/ˈluɪsvɪl/}}); and ], from 1806 through 1868 (which included the ] period). The ] also often met at temporary sites, including ] (especially during the turmoil of the Civil War). In 1868, the capital was moved to the reconstructed city of Atlanta — one with better access by ].

==Cities==
{{See also|Georgia census statistical areas}}
]]]
]]]
]]]
]]]
]]]

===Largest cities, 2010===
On March 17, 2011, the US Census Bureau released 2010 population counts for Georgia's cities with populations above 50,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov |title=American FactFinder |publisher=Factfinder2.census.gov |date= |accessdate=2011-08-05}}</ref>
{{Bar graph
| title = Largest cities, 2010 Census
| data_max = 450,000
| bar_width = 30
| width_units = em
| table_style = font-size: 95%
| label_type = City
| data_type = Population
| label1 = ]
| data1 = 420,003
| label2 = ]
| data2 = 195,844
| label3 = ]
| data3 = 189,885
| label4 = ]
| data4 = 136,286
| label5 = ]
| data5 = 115,452
| label6 = ]
| data6 = 93,853
| label7 = ]
| data7 = 91,351
| label8 = ]
| data8 = 88,346
| label9 = ]
| data9 = 77,434
| label10 = ]
| data10 = 76,728
| label11 = ]
| data11 = 66,588
| label12 = ]
| data12 = 57,551
| label13 = ]
| data13 = 56,579
| label14 = ]
| data14 = 54,518
| label15 = ]
| data15 = 51,271
}}

===Largest metropolitan areas, 2010===
On March 17, 2011, the US Census Bureau's 2010 figures were announced for Georgia's twenty-two ]s and ]s with populations above 50,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://proximityone.com/metros0010.htm|title=Metropolitan Area Population & Housing Patterns: 2000–2010}}</ref> In descending order, they are:
{{Bar graph
| title = Largest metropolitan areas, 2010 Census
| data_max = 5,270,000
| bar_width = 40
| width_units = em
| table_style = font-size: 95%
| label_type = Metro. Area
| data_type = Population
| label1 = ]
| data1 = 5,268,860
| label2 = ]
| data2 = 556,877
| label3 = ]
| data3 = 347,611
| label4 = ]
| data4 = 294,865
| label5 = ]
| data5 = 232,293
| label6 = ]
| data6 = 192,541
| label7 = ]
| data7 = 179,684
| label8 = ]
| data8 = 157,308
| label9 = ]
| data9 = 142,227
| label10 = ]
| data10 = 139,900
| label11 = ]
| data11 = 139,588
| label12 = ]
| data12 = 112,370
| label13 = ]
| data13 = 96,317
| label14 = ]
| data14 = 77,917
| label15 = ]
| data15 = 70,217
| label16 = ]
| data16 = 67,044
| label17 = ]
| data17 = 58,414
| label18 = ]
| data18 = 55,186
| label19 = ]
| data19 = 55,149
| label20 = ]
| data20 = 55,070
| label21 = ]
| data21 = 50,731
| label22 = ]
| data22 = 50,513
}}

==Demographics==
{{USCensusPop
|1790 = 82548
|1800 = 162686
|1810 = 251407
|1820 = 340989
|1830 = 516823
|1840 = 691392
|1850 = 906185
|1860 = 1057286
|1870 = 1184109
|1880 = 1542181
|1890 = 1837353
|1900 = 2216331
|1910 = 2609121
|1920 = 2895832
|1930 = 2908506
|1940 = 3123723
|1950 = 3444578
|1960 = 3943116
|1970 = 4589575
|1980 = 5463105
|1990 = 6478216
|2000 = 8186453
|2010 = 9687653
|footnote = Sources: 1910–2010<ref>{{cite web|author=Resident Population Data |url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php |title=Resident Population Data - 2010 Census |publisher=2010.census.gov |date= |accessdate=2011-08-05}}</ref>
}}
In 2007, Georgia had an estimated population of 9,544,750 which was an increase of 180,809 from the previous year, and an increase of 1,177,125 since 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 438,939 people (that is 849,414 births minus 410,475 deaths) and an increase from net migration of 606,673 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 228,415 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 378,258 people.

The state stood sixth in the country for illegal immigrants. There were 35,000 in 1990; the count more than doubled from January 2000 to January 2009, at 480,000.<ref>{{Cite news| first=Associated Press | last= | title=Illegals on rise in Southeast | url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/23/1991912/illegal-immigrant-numbers-rise.html| work= | publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 6A | date=24 February 2010 | id= | accessdate=}}</ref><!---footnote matches hardcopy, not url--->

There were 743,000 ]s in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news| first=Michael E. | last=Kanell | title=Number of veterans, October | url=http://www.ajc.com/business/vets-jobs-challenges-in-199084.html | work= | publisher=Atlanta Constitution-Journal | location=Atlanta, Georgia | pages= A6 | date=16 November 2009 | id= | accessdate=}} quoting the Bureau of Labor Statistics</ref>

===Race, language, and age===
]

According to the ], Georgia had a population of 9,687,653. In terms of race and ethnicity, the state was 59.7% White (55.9% Non-Hispanic White Alone), 30.5% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 4.0% from Some Other Race, and 2.1% from Two or More Races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 8.8% of the population. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_QTPL&prodType=table |title=American FactFinder |publisher=Factfinder2.census.gov |date=2010-10-05 |accessdate=2011-08-05}}</ref> The largest ancestry groups are: 10.8% American (mostly British descent), 9.5% Irish, 8.9% English and 8.2% German.<ref>http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US13&-qr_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_DP2&-context=adp&-ds_name=ACS_2009_1YR_G00_&-tree_id=308&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=</ref>

As of 2005, 90% of Georgia residents age 5 and older speak only English at home and 5.6% speak Spanish. ] is the third most spoken language at 0.9%, followed by ] at 0.8% and ] at 0.6%. As of 2004, 7.7% of its population was reported as under 5 years of age, 26.4% under 18, and 9.6% were 65 or older. Also as of 2004, females made up approximately 50.6% of the population and African Americans made up approximately 29.6%.

Historically, about half of Georgia's population was composed of African Americans who, prior to the Civil War, were almost exclusively enslaved. The ] of hundreds of thousands of blacks from the rural South to the industrial North from 1914–1970 reduced the African American population.<ref>, accessed 19 May 2008</ref>

Georgia had the second fastest growing Asian population growth in the U.S. from 1990 to 2000, more than doubling in size during the ten-year period.<ref>{{Dead link|date=May 2010}}</ref> In addition, according to census estimates, Georgia ranks third among the states in terms of the percent of the total population that is African American (after ] and ]) and third in numerical Black population after ] and ]. Georgia was the state with the largest numerical increase in the black population from 2006 to 2007 with 84,000.

Georgia is the state with the third-lowest percentage of older people (65 or older), at 10.1 percent (as of 2008).<ref>{{Dead link|date=May 2010}}</ref>

The colonial settlement of large numbers of ], ] and ]s in the mountains and piedmont, and coastal settlement by some ]s and African Americans, have strongly influenced the state's culture in food, language and music. The concentration of Africans imported to coastal areas in the 18th century repeatedly from rice growing regions of West Africa led to the development of ] language and culture in the Low Country among African Americans. They share a unique heritage in which African traditions of food, religion and culture were continued more than in some other areas. In the creolization of Southern culture, their foodways became an integral part of all Southern cooking in the Low Country.<ref>, </ref>

===Religion===
Like most other Southern states, Georgia is largely Protestant Christian. The religious affiliations of the people of Georgia are as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://religions.pewforum.org/maps |title=Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life |publisher=Religions.pewforum.org |date= |accessdate=2010-10-24}}</ref>

*]: 70%
**]: 24%
**]: 12%
**]: 3%
**]: 3%
*]: 12%
*Other: 3%
*Non-religious: 13%

Georgia shares its Protestant heritage with much of the Southeastern United States.

The largest denominations by number of adherents in 2000 were the ] with 1,719,484; the ] with 570,674; and the ] with 374,185.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/13_2000.asp |title=The Association of Religion Data Archives &#124; Maps & Reports |publisher=Thearda.com |date= |accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref>

==Economy==
]]]
]
]
Georgia's 2007 total ] was $396 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/ |title=BEA : Gross Domestic Product by State |publisher=Bea.gov |date=2009-06-02 |accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref> Its ] for 2007 puts it 37th in the nation at $33,499. If Georgia were a stand-alone country, it would be the 28th largest economy in the world.<ref>, Accessed May 9, 2008</ref>

There are 15 Fortune 500 companies and 26 Fortune 1000 companies with headquarters in Georgia, including such names as ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Georgia has over 1,700 internationally headquartered facilities representing 43 countries, employing more than 112,000 Georgians with an estimated capital investment of $22.7 billion.

===Agriculture and industry===
Georgia's ] outputs are ] and ], ]s, ]es, ]s, ], ], ]s, ]s, ], ], and ]s. Its industrial outputs are ]s and ], ]ation equipment, ]s, food processing, ] products, ] products, and ] equipment. ] also makes an important contribution to the economy. Atlanta has been the site of enormous growth in real estate, service, and communications industries.

] has a very large effect on the state of Georgia and the Southeastern United States. The city is an ever growing addition to communications, industry, transportation, tourism, and government.

Food is also a major industry in Georgia, with widespread farms producing peanuts, corn, and soybeans across middle and south Georgia. The state is the number one producer of pecans in the world, with the region around Albany in southwest Georgia being the center of Georgia's pecan production. Gainesville in northeast Georgia touts itself as the Poultry Capital of the World.

Industry in Georgia is quite diverse. Major products in the mineral and timber industry include a variety of pines, clays, stones, and sands. The clay ], known as attapulgite, was named because of its abundance near the Decatur County town of Attapulgus in the deep southwest corner of the state. Attapulgite has numerous medical, cosmetic, and industrial uses. Textile industry is located around the cities of ], ], ], ] and along the I-75 corridor between Atlanta and ] to include the towns of ], ], ], and ] (the Carpet Capital of the World).

With its great population base and location along major transportation routes, Atlanta is a leading center of tourism, transportation, communications, government, and industry. Some industries there include automobile and aircraft manufacturing, food and chemical processing, printing, publishing, and large corporations. Some of the corporations headquartered in the metropolitan Atlanta area are: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Major corporations in other parts of the state include: ], ], ], ], and ].

Georgia has one of the strongest military presences in the country. Several United States military installations are located in the state including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] ], ] and Coast Guard Station Brunswick. However, due to the latest round of ] cuts, Forts Gillem and McPherson will be closing and NAS Atlanta will be transferred to the ].

===Energy use and production===
Georgia's electricity generation and consumption are among the highest in the United States, with coal being the primary electrical generation of fuel. However, the state also has two nuclear power plants which contribute less than one fourth of Georgia's electricity generation. The statistics are 75% coal, 16% nuclear, 7% oil and natural gas, and 1% hydroelectric/other. The leading area of energy consumption is the industrial sector because Georgia "is a leader in the energy-intensive wood and paper products industry".<ref>. Retrieved December 30, 2007.</ref>

===State taxes===
Georgia's personal ] ranges from 1% to 6% within six ]s. There is a 4% state ],<ref>.</ref> which is not applied to ]s, certain medical devices, and ]. Each county may add up to a 2% ]. Counties participating in ] have another 1%. The city of Atlanta (in two counties, roughly 90% in Fulton and 10% in Dekalb) has the only city sales tax (1%, total 8%) for fixing its aging sewers. Local taxes are almost always charged on groceries but never prescriptions. Up to 1% of a SPLOST can go to ]s (the HOST). All taxes are collected by the ] and then properly distributed according to any agreements that each county has with its cities.

==Governance==
{{Main|Government of Georgia (U.S. state)}}

===State government===
{{See also|List of governors of Georgia|Georgia elected officials}}

] Building in Atlanta with the distinctive gold dome.]]

The capital of Georgia is Atlanta. As with all other ]s and the federal government, Georgia's government is based on the ].<ref>. Retrieved December 30, 2007.</ref> Executive authority in the state rests with the ], currently ] (]). (See ]). Both the ] and ] are elected on separate ballots to four-year terms of office. Unlike the federal government, but like many other U.S. States, most of the executive officials who comprise the governor's cabinet are elected by the citizens of Georgia rather than appointed by the governor.

Legislative authority resides in the General Assembly, composed of the ] and ]. The Lieutenant Governor ], while the House of Representatives selects their own Speaker. The ] mandates a maximum of 56 senators, elected from single-member districts, and a minimum of 180 representatives, apportioned among representative districts (which sometimes results in more than one representative per district); there are currently 56 senators and 180 representatives. The term of office for senators and representatives is two years.<ref>. Retrieved December 30, 2007. {{Wayback | url=http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart3.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> | date=20071209140427 }}</ref>

State judicial authority rests with the state ] and ], which have statewide authority.<ref>. Retrieved December 30, 2007. {{Wayback | url=http://www.gasupreme.us/scbroch.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> | date=20070927121254 }}</ref> In addition, there are smaller courts which have more limited geographical jurisdiction, including State Courts, Superior Courts, Magistrate Courts and Probate Courts. Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals are elected statewide by the citizens in non-partisan elections to six-year terms. Judges for the smaller courts are elected by the state's citizens who live within that court's jurisdiction to four-year terms.

===Local government===
Georgia consists of 159 ]; more than any other state except ] which consists of 254 counties.<ref>. Retrieved December 30, 2007. {{Wayback | url=http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/countyhistory.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> | date=20071102173430 }}</ref> Before the year of 1932, there were 161, with ] and ] being merged into ] at the end of 1931. Counties have been named for prominent figures in both American and Georgian history, but many bear names with Native American origin. Counties in Georgia have their own elected legislative branch, usually called the Board of Commissioners, which usually also has executive authority in the county.<ref>. Retrieved December 31, 2007.</ref> Several counties have a ] government, with legislative and executive authority vested in a single person. Georgia is the only state with Sole
Commissioner counties. Georgia's Constitution provides all counties and cities with "]" authority, and so the county commissions have considerable power to pass legislation within their county as a ] would.

{{See|list of Georgia counties}}

Besides the counties, Georgia only defines cities as local units of government. Every incorporated town, no matter how small, is legally a city. Georgia does not provide for ] or ] (though there is a movement in the Legislature to provide for townships){{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} but does allow ] governments by local ]. So far, only ], ], ], and ] have done this. ] is studying possibly becoming consolidated with ].{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} Recently, Savannah has consolidated its police department with the county ] department and is currently studying possible ] with ].{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

There is no true ] in Georgia, though the ] and ] do provide some services, and the ARC must approve all major ] projects in the ].

===Elections===
{{Main|Elections in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
<!---most of the following pertains to elections rather than politics. If there is any "politics" left, please move to the next subsection--->
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:81%;"
|+ '''Presidential elections results'''
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! ]
! ]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''52.20%''' ''2,048,744
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|47.00% ''1,844,137
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''57.97%''' ''1,914,254
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|41.37% ''1,366,149
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''54.67%''' ''1,419,720
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|42.98% ''1,116,230
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''47.01%''' ''1,080,843
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|45.84% ''1,053,849
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|42.88% ''995,252
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''43.47%''' ''1,008,966
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''59.75%''' ''1,081,331
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|39.50% ''714,792
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''60.17%''' ''1,068,722
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|39.79% ''706,628
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|40.95% ''654,168
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''55.76%''' ''890,733
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|32.96% ''483,743
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''66.74%''' ''979,409
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''75.04%''' ''881,496
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|24.65% ''289,529
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:lightgrey;"|]*
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|30.40% ''380,111
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|26.75% ''334,440
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''54.12%''' ''616,584
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|41.15% ''522,557
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|37.43% ''274,472
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''62.54%''' ''458,638
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|32.65% ''216,652
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''66.48%''' ''441,094
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|30.34% ''198,979
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''69.66%''' ''456,823
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|18.31% ''76,691
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''60.81%''' ''254,646
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|18.25% ''59,880
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''81.74%''' ''268,187
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|14.83% ''46,360
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''84.85%''' ''265,194
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|12.60% ''36,942
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''87.10%''' ''255,364
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|7.77% ''19,863
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''91.60%''' ''234,118
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:lightgrey;"|*State won by ]<br />of the ],<br />at 42.83%, or 535,550 votes
|}

Until recently, Georgia's state government had the longest unbroken record of single-party dominance, by the ], of any state in the Union. This record was established partly by disfranchisement of most blacks and many poor whites in the early 20th century, lasting into the 1960s.

After Reconstruction, white Democrats regained power, especially by legal ] of most African Americans and many poor whites through erection of barriers to voter registration. In 1900, shortly before Georgia adopted a disfranchising constitutional amendment in 1908, blacks comprised 47% of the state's population.<ref>. Retrieved 15 March 2008.</ref> A "clean" franchise was linked by Progressives to electoral reform.<ref>. Retrieved 23 March 2008.</ref> White, one-party rule was solidified.

For over 130 years, from 1872 to 2003, Georgians only elected white Democratic governors, and white Democrats held the majority of seats in the General Assembly. Most of the Democrats elected throughout these years were Southern Democrats or ]s, who were very conservative by national standards. This continued after the segregationist period, which ended legally in the 1960s. According to the 1960 census, the proportion of Georgia's population that was African American had decreased to 28%.<ref>. Retrieved 13 March 2008.</ref> After a Democratic-controlled Congress passed civil rights legislation to secure voting and civil rights in the mid-1960s, most African Americans in the South joined the Democratic Party.

Progress in civil rights was demonstrated with the election of former Georgia Governor ] in 1976 to the ].

The political dominance of Democrats ended in 2003, when then-Governor ] was defeated by Republican ], a state legislator and former Democrat himself. While Democrats retained control of the State House, they lost their majority in the Senate when four Democrats switched parties. They lost the House in the 2004 election. Republicans now control all three partisan elements of the state government.

Even before 2003, the state had become increasingly supportive of Republicans in Presidential elections. It has supported a Democrat for president only three times since 1960. In 1976 and 1980, native son Jimmy Carter carried the state; in 1992, the former Arkansas governor ] narrowly won the state. Generally, Republicans are strongest in the predominantly white suburban (especially the Atlanta suburbs) and rural portions of the state.<ref name="CNN.com: Election 2004">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004//pages/results/states/GA/P/00/epolls.0.html |title=Election 2004 |publisher=CNN.com |accessdate=2010-10-24}}</ref> Many of these areas were represented by conservative Democrats in the state legislature well into the 21st century. One of the most conservative of these was U.S. Congressman ], former head of the ] who was killed when the ] shot down ] near ]. Democratic candidates have tended to win a higher percentage of the vote in the areas where black voters are most numerous,<ref name="CNN.com: Election 2004"/> as well as in the cities (especially Atlanta and Athens), and the rural ] region that travels through the central and southwestern portion of the state.

{{As of|2001|alt=As of the 2001}} ], the state has 13 seats in the ], which are currently held by 7 Republicans and 6 Democrats.

In recent events, Democrat ] ran against incumbent Republican Senator ]. Chambliss failed to acquire the necessary 50 percent of votes, a Libertarian Party candidate receiving the remainder of votes. In the ] held on December 2, 2008, Chambliss became only the second Georgia Republican to be reelected to the U.S. Senate.

{{See also|United States presidential election, 2004, in Georgia|Political party strength in Georgia (U.S. state)}}

===Politics===
{{Main|Politics of Georgia (U.S. state)}}

During the 1960s and 1970s, Georgia made significant changes in civil rights, governance, and economic growth focused on Atlanta. It was a bedrock of the emerging "]".

In the 21st century, many conservative Democrats, including former U.S. Senator and governor ], have decided to support Republicans. The state's socially conservative bent results in wide support for such measures as restrictions on ]. Its voters passed a ban on ] with 76% voting yes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/index.php/Georgia_Constitutional_Amendment_1_%282004%29 |title=Georgia Marriage Amendment, Question 1 (2004) |publisher=Ballotpedia |date= |accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref>

On April 1, 2009, Senate Resolution 632 passed by a vote of 43–1.<ref>{{cite web|author=7:02 am April 16, 2009, by Jay |url=http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2009/04/16/georgia-senate-threatens-dismantling-of-usa/ |title=Georgia Senate threatens dismantling of USA &#124; Jay Bookman |publisher=Blogs.ajc.com |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref> It reads in part:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/fulltext/sr632.htm |title=sr632.html |publisher=Legis.ga.gov |date= |accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref><blockquote>Any Act by the Congress of the United States, Executive Order of the President of the United States of America or Judicial Order by the Judicatories of the United States of America which assumes a power not delegated to the government of the United States of America by the Constitution for the United States of America and which serves to diminish the liberty of the any of the several States or their citizens shall constitute a nullification of the Constitution for the United States of America by the government of the United States of America.</blockquote> On April 16, Jay Bookman of ] wrote "It wasn’t quite the firing on Fort Sumter that launched the Civil War. But on April 1, your Georgia Senate did threaten by a vote of 43–1 to secede from and even disband the United States."<ref>{{cite web|last=Bookman |first=Jay |url=http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/04/16/bookmaned0416.html |title=Atlanta News, Sports, Atlanta Weather, Business News |publisher=ajc.com |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref>

==Cultural==
{{Main|Culture of Georgia (U.S. state)}}

===Fine and performing arts===
Georgia's major fine art museums include the ], the ], the ], and the ].<ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref>

The ] is a full time company that brings opera to Georgia stages,<ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref> while the ] is the most widely recognized orchestra and largest arts organization in the ].<ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref>

There are a number of performing arts venues in the state, among the largest are the ], and the ] at the ], both on ] in ]. Duluth, Roswell, Norcross, and Marietta each have a fairly active theater community.

===Literature===
{{redirect|Georgia literature|literature written by people from the country of Georgia|Georgian literature}}
]s such as the play (on which a successful movie was also based) '']'' are one example of Georgia's literary culture. The most popular and famous novel has probably been ]'s '']'', also the basis of a wildly successful movie. Other authors who challenged popular ideas were ] and ]. Contemporary authors such as ] have also used Georgia's complex past as subjects for fiction, as in her '']''.

Georgia's ], such as ] and ], and ] writers like humorist ] also have a place in the state's literary life.<ref name=NGE>. Retrieved December 5, 2007.</ref>

===Film===
The state film commission was established in 1973; the agency is now referred to as the Georgia Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office.<ref>. (2004–2010). ''The New Georgia Encyclopedia''. Retrieved 2010-04-01.</ref> Since 1972, seven hundred film and television projects have been filmed on location in Georgia.<ref>. (2010). ''Georgia''. Retrieved 2010-04-01.</ref> In 2008–2009, Georgia's film and television industry created a $1.15 billion economic impact on the state's economy. <ref>. (2010). ''georgia.org''. Retrieved 2010-04-01.</ref>

==Health care==
{{See also|List of hospitals in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
Georgians can find medical and dental care "via 151 general hospitals, more than 15,000 doctors and nearly 6,000 dentists."<ref>, Accessed May 16, 2007</ref> The state is ranked forty-first in the percentage of residents who engage in regular exercise.<ref>, Accessed May 16, 2007</ref>

==Education==
]'s ]]]
]]]
{{main|Education in Georgia (U.S. state)}}

Georgia ]s (grades nine through twelve) are required to administer a ], ] ], or EOCT, in each of eight core subjects including ], ], ], ], ], ], Ninth Grade ] and ], and ] and Composition. The official purpose of the tests is to assess "specific content knowledge and skills." Although a minimum test score is not required for the student to receive ] in the course, completion of the test is mandatory. The EOCT score comprises 15% of a student's grade in the course.<ref>. Retrieved 24 April 2008.</ref> The ] (CRCT) is taken in 1st–8th grade.

High school students must also receive passing scores on four ]s (GHSGT) and the Georgia High School Writing Assessment in order to receive a diploma. Subjects assessed include Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. These tests are initially offered during students' eleventh-grade year, allowing for multiple opportunities to pass the tests before ] at the end of twelfth grade.<ref>. Retrieved 24 April 2008.</ref>

Georgia has almost 70 public colleges, universities, and technical colleges in addition to over 45 private institutes of higher learning.

The ], funded by the ], is available to all Georgia residents who have graduated from high school with a 3.0 or higher grade point average and who attend a public college or university in the state.

==Transportation==
{{Main|Transportation in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
]

Transportation in Georgia is overseen by the ], a part of the executive branch of the ]. Georgia's major ]s are ] and ]. On March 18, 1998, the Georgia House of Representatives passed a resolution naming the portion of Interstate Highway 75, which runs from the Chattahoochee River northward to the Tennessee state line the ] Memorial Highway. Larry McDonald, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives, had been on ] when it was shot down by the Soviets on September 1, 1983.

Other important interstate highways are ], ], ], ] and ]. ] is Atlanta, Georgia's perimeter route and ] connects with counties in north Georgia on I-75.<ref>. Retrieved June 17, 2008.</ref> Major freight railroads in Georgia include ] and ]. Passenger service in Georgia is available on two ] routes: the ], which runs from ] to ], through north Georgia and Atlanta to ] and the other runs from New York to the Georgia coast and from there to ].<ref>. Retrieved June 17, 2008.</ref>

{{Col-begin|width=}}
{{Col-break|width=44%}}

===Interstate highways===
*] ], ] ]
*] ], ] ]
*] ] (two interchanges)
*] ] (four interchanges)
*] ], ] ], ] ], ] ]
*] ], ] ], ] ]
*] ]
*] ] (The Perimeter around Atlanta)
*] ] (proposed)
*] ] (proposed)

{{Col-break|width=32%}}

===United States highways===
====North-south routes====
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] (Trail of Tears Highway)
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
{{Col-break|width=20%}}

====East-west routes====
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
*] ]
{{Col-end}}

===Airports===
]'s {{convert|398|ft|m|adj=on}} tall control tower]]

Georgia's primary commercial airport is ] (ATL), and is the world's busiest passenger airport.<ref>. Retrieved June 18, 2008.</ref> In addition to Hartsfield-Jackson, there are eight other airports serving major commercial traffic in Georgia. ] is the second-busiest airport in the state as measured by passengers served, and is the only additional international airport. Other commercial airports (ranked in order of passengers served) are located in ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="ge1">. Retrieved June 27, 2011.</ref>

Georgia has 98 public-use general aviation airports in addition to its primary commercial airports. The busiest of these airports in terms of daily takoff and landing traffic is ] in ] (known as "PDK" due to its ] call letters). PDK has averaged more than 230,000 takeoffs and landings per year for over thirty years, and serves as a "general reliever airport" for the Atlanta area.<ref name="ge1" /> Other general reliever airports in the metro Atlanta area include ] in Atlanta, ] in Lawrenceville, and ] in Kennesaw.

==Media==
===Television===
{{See also|List of television stations in Georgia (U.S. state)}}

Georgia resident ] founded ], ], ], ], ] and ], among others. The ], which houses the news channel's world headquarters, is located in downtown Atlanta, facing Marietta Street, while the home offices of the ] networks are located in ], near the ] campus, on Techwood Drive. A third Turner building is on Williams Street, directly across ] and ] from the Techwood Drive campus and ] and ].

]'s headquarters are located in the ] area of metropolitan Atlanta in ].

] was the state's first television station, and the southeastern United States' second. WSB-TV signed on Channel 8 in 1948, and moved to its present day location on Channel 2 in 1952.

] (GPB) operates nine major ] ]s across the state as Georgia ] Television.<ref> Accessed, May 19, 2007 {{Wayback | url=http://www.gpb.org/public/about/index.jsp?pcode=about <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> | date=20070503003039 }}</ref>

] and ] are the leaders in ] in the southeast. The ] and offices are located in Atlanta, Georgia on ].

===Radio===
{{See also|List of radio stations in Georgia}}

] in Atlanta was the first licensed radio station in the southeastern United States, signing on in 1922. The station currently broadcasts a news/talk format. WMAZ (Watch Mercer Attain Zenith) in Macon first broadcast commencement exercises of Mercer University in June 1921 but was unlicensed and had a power of only 10 watts. It was licensed in February 1923 and today has a power of 50,000 watts daytime and uses the call sign WMAC AM 940.See http://www.antiqueradio.com/wmaz_03-98.html ] signed on in 1948 on 104.5 FM, and moved to 98.5 FM in 1952. The station broadcasts today, still with the WSB-FM callsign, but is known as "B98.5FM".

] has been in service since 1984 and, with the exception of Atlanta, it broadcasts daily on several FM (and one AM) stations across the state. 1984.<ref> Accessed, May 19, 2007 {{Wayback | url=http://www.gpb.org/public/radio/index.jsp?pcode=network <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> | date=20070202213446 }}</ref><ref> Accessed, May 19, 2007 {{Wayback | url=http://www.gpb.org/public/about/index.jsp?pcode=about <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> | date=20070503003039 }}</ref> Georgia Public Radio reaches nearly all of Georgia (with the exception of the Atlanta area, which is served by ]), as well as portions of Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

===Newspapers===
{{See also|List of newspapers in Georgia (U.S. state)}}

There are several notable newspapers in Georgia. Among them are '']'', '']'', the '']'', '']'' (formerly ''The Macon Telegraph'') and the '']''.

==Sports and recreation==
{{Main|Sports in Georgia (U.S. state)}}
{{See also|Tour de Georgia|Masters Tournament|Bicycle Ride Across Georgia}}

Sports in Georgia include professional teams in all major sports, ] contenders and medalists, collegiate teams in major and small-school conferences and associations, and active amateur teams and individual sports. The State of Georgia has a team in seven major professional leagues (], ], ], ], ], ], and ]).
Georgia has an abundance of outdoor recreational activities. Outdoor activities include, but are not limited to, hiking along the ]; ]s; ] and ].<ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref><ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref><ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref><ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref> Other outdoor activities include ] and ]. Less rustic activities are trips to ]; and ].<ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref><ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref><ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref><ref>. Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref> NBA superstars ], ],and ], Heavyweight champion boxer ] and wrestling superstar ] are also from Atlanta.

==State facts and symbols==
{{Infobox U.S. state symbols
|Flag=Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
|FlagLink=Flag of Georgia (U.S. state)
|Name = Georgia
|Amphibian = ]
|Bird = ]
|Butterfly = ]
|Fish = ]
|Flower = ]
|Insect = ]
|Mammal = ]
|Reptile = ]
|Tree = ]
|Dance = ]
|Food = ], ], ]
|Fossil = ]
|Gemstone = ]
|Mineral = ]
|StateRock = ]
|Shell = ]
|Soil = ]
|Song = '']''
|Tartan = ]
|Route Marker = Georgia 3.svg
|Quarter = 1999 GA Proof.png
|QuarterReleaseDate = 1999
}}

Georgia's nicknames include '''Peach State''' and '''Empire State of the South'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgia.gov/vgn/images/portal/cit_1210/7/36/59432712LOOK%20AT%20GEORGIA.pdf |title=Look Georgia Agriculture on www.georgia.gov |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-08-05}}</ref> The ], "]" by ], was originally written about a woman of that name. After Georgia native ] made it popular with his recording, the state legislature voted it the state song on April 24, 1979. Ray Charles sang it on the legislative floor when the bill was passed. The legislature's action was considered symbolic of the state's move away from ] and ].

The ] was released on July 19, 1999.<ref name="stateflorafauna">{{cite web|url=http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/ga_symb.htm |title=State symbols and emblems |publisher=Netstate.com |date= |accessdate=2010-10-24}}</ref> The first houses in Georgia to be designated historic state landmarks are the Owens Thomas House and the ], in the ]. The state animal, an opossum, is called "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sos.georgia.gov/state_symbols/state_possum.html |title=Georgia Secretary of State – State 'Possum |publisher=Georgia Secretary of State |accessdate=2008-01-15}}</ref>

==See also==
{{satop|Geography|North America|Northern America|United States|Georgia USA}}
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{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
*Walker, V. (2005). "Organized resistance and black educators' quest for school equality", 1878–1938. ''Teachers College Record'', 107, 355–388.{{Clarify|date=February 2009}}

==Further reading==
* .
* Bartley, Numan V. ''The Creation of Modern Georgia'' (1990). Covers 1865–1990 period. ISBN 0-8203-1183-9.
* Coleman, Kenneth. ed. ''A History of Georgia'' (1991). ISBN 0-8203-1269-X.
* London, Bonnie Bullard. (2005) ''Georgia and the American Experience'' Atlanta, Georgia: Clairmont Press ISBN 1-56733-100-9. A middle school textbook.
* Peirce, Neal R. ''The Deep South States of America: People, Politics, and Power in the Seven Deep South States'' (1974). Information on politics and economics 1960–72. ISBN 0-393-05496-9.

{{Coord|display=title|33|N|83.5|W|region:US-GA_type:adm1st_scale:3000000}}

==Related information==<!-- see ] -->
{{Geographic location
| Northwest =
| North = {{flag|Tennessee}} • {{flag|North Carolina}}
| Northeast = {{flag|South Carolina}}
| West = {{flag|Alabama}}
| Centre = '' Georgia'': ] • ]
| East =
| Southwest =
| South = {{flag|Florida}}
| Southeast = ]
}}

{{Template group
|title = <span style="font-size:11pt;">Articles Related to Georgia</span> <br /> ''The Peach State''
|list =
{{Georgia|expand}}
{{Confederate States of America}}
{{Georgia (US state) cities and mayors of 100,000 population}}
}}
{{United States}}
{{United States topics}}
{{13colonies}}
{{Colonial Colleges}}
{{Succession
|preceded = ]
|office = ]
|years = Ratified ] on January 2, 1788 (4th)
|succeeded = ]
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Georgia (U.S. State)}}
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==External links==
{{Commons+cat|Georgia (U.S. state)}}
<!---need to pare this down to about ten. People won't look through more than that--->
{{Sister project links|Georgia (U.S. state)}}
{{osmrelation|161957}}
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* – Official archives of the State of Georgia.
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*{{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Georgia}}
* – Annotated list of searchable databases produced by Georgia state agencies and compiled by the Government Documents Roundtable of the American Library Association.
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Revision as of 19:20, 1 September 2011

"State of Georgia" redirects here. For TV series, see State of Georgia (TV series). For the sovereign state, see Georgia (country). State in the United States
Georgia
State
CountryUnited States
Before statehoodProvince of Georgia
Admitted to the UnionJanuary 2, 1788 (4th)
Capital
(and largest city)		Atlanta
Largest metro and urban areasAtlanta metro area
Government
 • GovernorNathan Deal (R)
 • Lieutenant governorCasey Cagle (R)
LegislatureGeneral Assembly
 • Upper houseState Senate
 • Lower houseHouse of Representatives
U.S. senatorsSaxby Chambliss (R)
Johnny Isakson (R)
U.S. House delegation8 Republicans, 5 Democrats (list)
Population
 • Total(2,010) 9,687,653
 • Density141.4/sq mi (54.59/km)
 • Median household income$50,861
 • Income rank23rd
Language
 • Official languageEnglish
Traditional abbreviationGa.
Latitude30.356 – 34.985° N
Longitude80.840 – 85.605° W

Georgia This state is boring so we decided not to put anything.

  1. "2010 Census: Resident Population Data". 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  2. ^ "Elevations and Distances in the United States". U.S Geological Survey. 29 April 2005. Retrieved November 3, 2006.