Georgia lies along the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama. Cherokees and Creeks lived on the land long before Europeans arrived. Spanish explorers first arrived in the 1500s, but it wasn’t until 1733, that a permanent settlement was established by James Oglethorpe in 1733.
Fun Facts
- Georgia’s early prosperity was built on cotton and tobacco production, both of which relied heavily on slave labor.
- Many parts of Georgia were decimated during the Civil War. The state endured years of poverty after the war ended.
- Today, Georgia is still an important agriculture state, producing cotton, peanuts, corn, vegetables, poultry, eggs, and beef cattle. Georgia grows more peanuts here than anywhere else in the U.S.
- Hartfield-Jackson International Airport, in Atlanta, is the country’s busiest airport.
- The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the world.
- Meat-eating plants thrive in Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp where they capture insects and small animals for food.
- Off Georgia’s coast, you might see humpback whales or manatees. Black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles also live here.
- Georgia is known for its large, beautiful trees and forested areas. Spanish moss sometimes grows on the trees, giving them an eerie look.
Georgia Quick Stats
Population: 9,687,653
State Capital: Atlanta (population, 420,003)
Largest City: Atlanta
Largest Metro: Metro Atlanta
State Bird: brown thrasher
State Flower: Cherokee rose
Admission to Union: January 2, 1788
Questions and Answers
Question: Why is Georgia called the “peach state?”
Answer: Cherokee Indians grew peach trees in Georgia. Today, Georgia is the third largest producer of peaches in the United States.
Learn More
Watch a video about Georgia.