Geographic Understandings
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- Navigate this page:
- Glossary
- The Appalachian Plateau Region
- The Blue Ridge Region
- The Piedmont Region
- The Coastal Plain Region
The state of Georgia is located in the southeastern United States. It is located on the continent of North America, and it is in the Northern (latitude) and Western (longitude) Hemispheres. Though knowing Georgia’s location appears rather simple it may be worth going over this information in depth with your students. For example, since Georgia is often referred to as a “Southern State” sometimes students will mistakenly answer that it is located in the “Southern Hemisphere.”  
GlossaryGeorgia in the Southeastern USA Northern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere
Continent - the world’s largest land masses. Hemispheres - lines of latitude and longitude that divide the earth into halves. Nation - a land mass inhabited by people who share a common territory and government.
The state of Georgia is divided into five geographic regions. In the north, there are three small mountainous regions, each with a differing topography. In the middle of the state is the hilly Piedmont area which is home to many of Georgia’s largest cities including Atlanta. Finally, the state is dominated by the Coastal Plain region, which takes up three-fifths of Georgia. The Coastal Plain, which is divided into an inner and outer section, was actually covered by water millions of years ago. The Appalachian Plateau RegionLocation: This region is located in northwest Georgia; known as the TAG corner (the region connects with Tennessee and Alabama). Physical Characteristics: This region features flat or gently sloping land sitting above surrounding valleys. Climate: The climate of this region has cooler temperatures due to its higher elevation (1800-2000 feet above sea level) and northern latitude. Summer temperatures can reach to the 80’s and occasionally the 90’s while during the winter months, temperatures span from the 20’s to the 40’s. During winter months, some snow (average of 5 inches per year) and ice cover the region. Agriculture: Agriculture is limited due to poor soil. However, some corn and soybeans are produced in this region. 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. Interesting features: Located in Georgia’s smallest region are Cloudland Canyon and Lookout Mountain. No significant rivers are located in the Appalachian Plateau region. Caving is a popular pastime; however, most caves are located on private property. The Valley and Ridge Region (or Ridge and Valley Region) Cloudland Canyon Location: Located in northern Georgia, this region lies between the Appalachian Plateau region and the Blue 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. Climate: The climate is similar to that of the Appalachian Plateau region. The climate of this region has cooler temperatures due to its higher elevation and northern latitude. Summer temperatures can reach to the 80’s and occasionally the 90’s while during the winter months, temperatures span from the 20’s to the 40’s. During winter months, some snow and ice cover the 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. Economic Contributions: Textiles and carpets are produced in this region. Some mining occurs as well. Interesting features: Dalton, Georgia is the “carpet capital of the world.” Numerous caves are located in this region. The Blue Ridge RegionLocation: This region is located in the northeastern corner of Georgia. Physical Characteristics: The Blue Ridge Mountains 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. Climate: Like the other regions with high elevation, the Blue Ridge Visitors Center at Brasstown Bald region features cooler weather in the summer and winter months than the southern portion of the state. It is the region that has the highest precipitation rate at over 80 inches of rain per year. As a result, the major rivers, including the Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, originate in the Blue Ridge region. Agriculture: Small farms, located in the region’s valleys, produce apples, corn, and vegetables. Pastures are home to large animals. 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. Interesting features: Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak, and the beginning of the Appalachian Trail brings tourists to the region. Dahlonega, the home to the United States’ first gold rush, offers mining opportunities to willing tourists. The Piedmont RegionLocation: The Piedmont region is 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 the Piedmont while the Fall Line separates the Piedmont from its southern neighbor, the Coastal Plain. (Note: More information on the Fall Line is found in notes for SS8G1c) Physical Characteristics: The Piedmont is characterized by gently rolling hills. The term Piedmont 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. Climate: This region’s climate can be steamy and hot in the summers and can deliver snow in the winters. Temperatures can reach into the 90’s in the summers and into the 20’s during the winter months. 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. Economic Contributions: Timber is harvested in the Piedmont 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 Midtown Atlanta Skyline in this region, animal products such as poultry, eggs, and beef are dominant.
The Coastal Plain RegionLocation: The Coastal Plain region is the southernmost region in the state. Physical Characteristics: This region, 60% of the state, can be divided into two regions: the Inner Coastal Plain and the Outer Coastal Plain. The Inner Coastal Plain (in the western part of the region) is the agricultural heartland of the state. The Outer Coastal Plain includes the coast of Georgia and the Okefenokee Swamp. Major rivers flow through this region to the Georgia coast or the Gulf of Mexico. Climate: This region of Georgia is characterized by hot, steamy summers and cool winters. Snowfall and ice are less likely to occur in this region. Agriculture: The Inner Coastal Plain features fertile soil that produces peanuts, peaches, soybeans, cotton, Vidalia onions, and pecans. Other row crops are grown as well. The Outer Coastal Plain 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. 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.
Glossaryhave wreaked havoc on this region. Jekyll Island Marshes Appalachian Plateau - Georgia’s smallest region located in the northwestern corner of the state. Blue Ridge Mountains - a name for a group of mountains located in the Appalachian chain that are characterized by a “blue” haze that surrounds their peaks. Blue Ridge Region - Georgia’s northeastern region; receives more rainfall than any other region; many major rivers begin here. Climate - a composite of prevailing weather conditions of a location. Coastal Plain - Georgia’s largest region which makes up 3/5 of the state. Piedmont Region - Georgia’s most populated region known for its red clay; also known as “foot of the mountains”. Valley and Ridge - Georgia region characterized by low open valleys and narrow ridges. Directory: uploads uploads -> 587 Return function, r i(X) r i(0) r i(1) r i(2) r i(3) 1 0 2 4 6 Thermal Station, I 2 0 1 5 6 3 0 3 5 6 10 uploads -> Department of science and humanities department of mathematics part-a questions and answers uploads -> The Case Against the nypd’s Quota-Driven ‘Broken Windows’ Policing What Is It? uploads -> For want of a nail uploads -> Ownership Models There are two different types of ownership models uploads -> Police Militarization uploads -> City of rising star regular meting thursday, july 14, 2016 uploads -> Township of winfield uploads -> Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2014 uploads -> The Black Panther Party’s Ten-Point Program What We Want Now! Download 80.01 Kb. Share with your friends:
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