Geography of Georgia (U.S. state) facts for kids
| Area | |
| Total | 153,870 km2 (59,410 sq mi) |
| Land | 149,976 km2 (57,906 sq mi) |
| Water | 854 sq mi (2,210 km2) |
| Latitude | 30° 35′ N to 35° N |
| Longitude | 80° 50′ W to 85° 36′ W |
| Borders | |
| Florida | state |
| South Carolina | state |
| Alabama | state |
| Tennessee | state |
| North Carolina | state |
| Coastlines | 100 miles |
Georgia is a state in the Southeastern United States. It is located in North America. The state has a total area of about 154,077 km2 (59,489 sq mi). Its geographic center is in Twiggs County.
Georgia has many interesting natural features. These include mountains like the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It also has the Piedmont plateau and the Coastal Plain. The highest point in Georgia is Brasstown Bald, which is 1,458 m (4,783 ft) above sea level. The lowest point is at sea level, along the Atlantic Ocean.
Georgia mostly has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot and humid summers. The weather is usually mild, but sometimes there are extreme weather events. The state can experience hurricanes, though direct hits on the coast are rare.
Contents
Exploring Georgia's Regions
Georgia is divided into several unique regions. Each region has its own special features and important cities.
Northwest Georgia
This area includes cities like Rome and Dalton. It is known for its valleys and ridges.
Northeast Georgia
Here you'll find cities such as Gainesville. This region is home to parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Metro Atlanta
This is the largest urban area, centered around the capital city, Atlanta. It is a busy and growing part of the state.
West Central Georgia
Key cities in this region include Newnan. It is located west of the central part of the state.
East Central Georgia
This area features cities like Athens. It is east of the state's center.
Central Georgia
Sometimes called "Middle Georgia," this region includes Macon and Warner Robins. It is right in the heart of the state.
East Georgia
Cities like Augusta are found here. This region borders South Carolina.
West Georgia
This region includes Columbus. It is located along the Alabama border.
South Georgia
Cities like Dublin are in this large southern region.
Southwest Georgia
This area includes Albany. It is in the southwestern part of the state.
Southeast Georgia
Valdosta is a major city here. This region is close to the Florida border.
Coastal Georgia
This region is along the Atlantic Ocean. It includes cities like Savannah and the Golden Isles of Georgia.
Georgia's Physical Landscape
Georgia has five main geographical regions. These are the Appalachian Plateau, the Ridge and Valley, the Blue Ridge, the Piedmont, and the Atlantic Plain.
Appalachian Plateau
This region is the southern part of a large plateau. It stretches from New York all the way to Alabama.
Ridge and Valley Region
Located in northwest Georgia, this area has many ridges and valleys. These were formed by ancient movements of the Earth. Forests cover a large part of this region.
Blue Ridge Region
The Blue Ridge Mountains are in the northeast part of Georgia. Their peaks are some of the highest in the state, reaching between 2,000 and 5,000 feet. This area has very old rocks and a rugged landscape.
Piedmont Region
The Piedmont is the second largest region in Georgia. It has rolling hills and important rivers like the Chattahoochee River. The rocks here are also very old.
Atlantic Plain Region
This is the largest region in Georgia. It includes parts of both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal plains. The land here is mostly flat and made of younger sedimentary rocks. The boundary between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain is called the Fall Line.
How Georgia's Land Formed
The oldest rocks in Georgia are incredibly ancient, about 1 to 1.34 billion years old! They are found in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge mountains. Over millions of years, heat and pressure changed these original sediments into hard rocks. Later, mountains formed and eroded, creating the landscape we see today.
Georgia's Mountains
.jpg)
The mountains in Georgia are part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They start in the northeast corner of the state. Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain in Georgia. It stands at 4,784 feet (1,458 m) above sea level. Other notable mountains include Rabun Bald and Blood Mountain.
Stone Mountain is a famous mountain near Stone Mountain, Georgia. It rises 1,683 feet (513 m) above sea level. This mountain is known for its unique geology. It also has a huge carving on its side. This carving shows three Confederate leaders: Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. It is the largest carving of its kind in the world.
Rivers and Lakes of Georgia
Many important rivers flow through Georgia. Some of these include the Flint River, Ocmulgee River, and Savannah River. The Chattahoochee River is the longest in Georgia, stretching 436 miles (702 km). It starts in the Blue Ridge Mountains and forms part of the border with Alabama and Florida.
Lake Lanier is the largest lake in Georgia. It is 26 miles (42 km) long. Lake Oconee is the second largest. Other lakes include Lake Allatoona and Lake Seminole.
Georgia's Islands
Georgia has fourteen barrier islands along its coast. Four of these are known as The Golden Isles. Cumberland Island is the largest. It is a wild, undeveloped island only reachable by boat. Other large islands include St. Simon's Island, Ossabaw Island, and Sapelo Island. The smallest is Jekyll Island.
Georgia's Climate
Most of Georgia has a humid subtropical climate. This means summers are hot and humid. Winters are generally mild, but cold air can sometimes move in. The state gets a good amount of rain throughout the year. The amount of rain varies from about 45 inches (1,100 mm) in central Georgia to 75 inches (1,900 mm) in the northeast mountains.
Georgia's weather is usually moderate. However, it can experience extreme events. The highest temperature ever recorded was 112 °F (44 °C). The lowest was −17 °F (−27 °C). Georgia also sees many tornadoes, especially smaller ones during summer thunderstorms. Hurricanes can affect the coast, but direct hits are rare. More often, hurricanes weaken over Florida and bring strong winds and heavy rain to Georgia.
How Georgia is Organized
_counties_map.png)
Georgia has more than 500 cities and 159 counties. Each county has its own government. Most counties are run by a group of elected commissioners. Cities are usually governed by a mayor-council system. Counties provide most public services outside of city limits.
Georgia's Natural Riches
Farmland and Water
Georgia has nearly eight million acres of excellent farmland. Over 60% of the state is covered in pine forests. Because of these vast forests, Georgia produces more lumber and pulpwood than any other state east of the Mississippi River. The state's farms and waters also create great opportunities for hunting and fishing.
Georgia has 70,150 miles (112,900 km) of streams and rivers. It also has 425,000 acres (1,720 km2) of lakes. About 4,500,000 acres (18,000 km2) of the state are freshwater wetlands.
Minerals and Rocks
Georgia's geological resources include many types of minerals. These are things like manganese, iron ore, copper, and different kinds of clays. The state also has valuable stone, kaolin, sand, and gravel.
See also
- Geologic map of Georgia
