Unit 1: Geography

Appalachian Plateau

Agriculture: Agriculture is limited due to poor soil. However, some corn and soybeans are produced in this region.

Valley and Ridge Region

Agriculture: Approximately 4% of the valleys is farmed and used as pastures. Crops include corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton. Hardwood and pine timber is harvested as well.

Blue Ridge Region

Agriculture: Small farms, located in the region's valleys, produce apples, corn, and vegetables. Pastures are home to large animals.

Coastal Plain

Agriculture: The Inner features fertile soil that produces peanuts, peaches, soybeans, cotton, Vidalia onions, and pecans. Other row crops are grown as well. The Outer is less fertile due to the sandy soil. However, pine trees are harvested. Some row crops are produced in this region in areas away from the coast.

Piedmont

Agriculture: This region is home to significant agricultural production. Crops produced include cotton, soybeans, and wheat. Poultry/eggs, hogs, and cattle/beef are products of this region.

Northern & Western

2 Hemispheres that GA is in

Blue Ridge Region

Economic Contributions: Historically, mining has been important to the economy of the region. Gold mining opportunities have encouraged tourists to enjoy the region. The harvesting of timber is profitable for the region.

Valley and Ridge Region

Economic Contributions: Textiles and carpets are produced in this region. Some mining occurs as well.

Appalachian Plateau

Economic Contributions: The most profitable industries in this region include tourism and forestry. The production of coal and limestone are productive as well. This region is the only known source of coal in the state.

Coastal Plain

Economic Contributions: The pulp and paper industry is prominent in this region. Commercial fishing and seafood processing occurs in coastal regions. Tourism and recreation is important to the barrier islands and coastal towns. The impact of agriculture on the state's economy is critical. The deep-water ports of Savannah and Brunswick and the inland ports of Bainbridge and Columbus connect Georgia products with global markets.

Piedmont

Economic Contributions: Timber is harvested in the region. This highly industrialized region is devoted to the production of a diverse type of products, including carpet milling, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, and poultry processing. While agriculture is still economically important in this region, animal products such as poultry, eggs, and beef are dominant.

Valley and Ridge Region

Interesting features: Dalton, Georgia is the "carpet capital of the world." Numerous caves are located in this region.

Appalachian Plateau

Interesting features: Located in Georgia's smallest region are Cloudland Canyon and Lookout Mountain.

Coastal Plain

Interesting features: The barrier islands protect mainland Georgia from hurricanes. In recent years, tornadoes have wreaked havoc on this region.

Piedmont

Interesting features: The region is the second largest in the state. This region features the urban cities of Atlanta, Columbus, Macon and Augusta among others. Tornadoes can exact destruction in this region.

Valley and Ridge Region

Location: Located in northern Georgia, this region lies between the Appalachian Plateau region and the Blue Ridge region.

Piedmont

Location: Located in the central part of the state and occupies approximately 30% of the land in the state. The Appalachian Mountain regions (Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, and the Blue Ridge) are north of it while the Fall Line separates the it from its southern neighbor, the Coastal Plain.

Coastal Plain

Location: The region is the southernmost region in the state.

Blue Ridge Region

Location: This region is located in the northeastern corner of Georgia.

Blue Ridge Region

Physical Characteristics: Are the highest in the Appalachian Highlands (between 2000 and 5000 feet). Brasstown Bald (4784 feet above sea level), Georgia's highest peak, is located in this region. The beginning of the Appalachian Trail is marked by Springer Mountain (3782 feet). The name of this region comes from the blue haze that seems to envelop the mountains.

Piedmont

Physical Characteristics: Characterized by gently rolling hills. The term means "foot of the hills". Also, featured in this region are major rivers flowing toward the Coastal Plain. These rivers tend to be shallow and can feature waterfalls or rapids. Red clay, formed when water mixes with the iron rust, is a characteristic of this region.

Valley and Ridge Region

Physical Characteristics: Long, parallel ridges separated by wide, fertile valleys. While ridges can appear to be mountains, the ridges range in height from 700 to 1600 feet above sea level.

Appalachian Plateau

Physical Characteristics: This region features flat or gently sloping land sitting above surrounding valleys.

Coastal Plain

Physical Characteristics: This region, 60% of the state, can be divided into two regions: the Inner and the Outer. The Inner (in the western part of the region) is the agricultural heartland of the state. The Outer includes the coast of Georgia and the Okefenokee Swamp. Major rivers flow through this region to the Georgia coast or the Gulf of Mexico.

Southeast

Region that GA is in

longitude

a measure of the distance east or west of the prime meridian; expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds

latitude

a measure of the distance north or south of the equator; expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds

physiographic regions

a way of defining the Earth's landforms into distinct regions

region

an area broadly divided or identified by physical characteristics (physical geography)

prime meridian

an imaginary line running from the North Pole through England and part of Africa to the South Pole; 0°

hemisphere

any half of the earth

relative location

describes where a place is compared with other places

absolute location

identifies a precise position on Earth's surface; often stated in longitude and latitude

barrier islands

islands that lie off the coast and protect the beaches by blocking much of the wind, sands, and water that could erode the mainland

TAG Corner

located in the Appalachian Plateau region of Georgia where Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia come together

Appalachian Mountains

located in the Blue Ridge region of Georgia; marks the beginning of the Appalachian Trail

Okefenokee Swamp

located in the Coastal Plain region of Georgia; one of the largest freshwater wetlands in America

continent

one of several large landmasses on Earth

Blue Ridge Region

receives the most precipitation in the state with over 80 inches of rain annually and is the starting point of most of Georgia's rivers.

Blue Ridge

region in Georgia where the highest and largest group of mountains in Georgia are located

Piedmont

region of Georgia that has gently sloping hills and valleys in the north and flatlands in the south; most populated region of Georgia

Ridge and Valley

region of Georgia that has low open valleys and narrow ridges that run parallel to the valleys

Chattahoochee River

river that begins in the Blue Ridge region of Georgia; creates the border between Georgia and Alabama

Savannah River

river that begins in the Blue Ridge region of Georgia; creates the border between Georgia and South Carolina

Appalachian Plateau

smallest region in Georgia that is made up of limestone caves, deep canyons, and rock formations

equator

the imaginary line that goes around the globe exactly halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole

Fall Line

the line that marks the farthest inland shoreline of a pre-historic ocean; divides the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions

Coastal Plain

the major agricultural region of Georgia; contains Georgia's coasts

North America

Continent that GA is on

USA

Nation that GA is in

Appalachian Plateau

This region is located in northwest Georgia; known as the TAG corner (the region connects with Tennessee and Alabama).