States Directory / Georgia
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is the 24th most extensive and 8th most populous of the 50 United States. Georgia was initially part of the Province of Carolina and was one of the 13 American colonies that declared independence from Great Britain in 1776. In 1788, it became the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, making it one of the original 13. Georgia is nicknamed the 'Peach State' in reference to its famous fruit crop. The state contains 159 counties, which range in rural to highly urbanized environments. The geographical features of Georgia include the Appalachian Mountains in the northwest, the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Savannah and Chattahoochee Rivers in the south, and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northeast. The state is known for its iconic magnolias, peaches, southern hospitality, and a de facto official language of English. The capital of Georgia is Atlanta, and it is home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in North America. Georgia is home to well-known institutions of higher education such as the governments of Georgia Tech, Emory University and the University of Georgia. Atlanta is a major hub for culture, business and finance in the southern United States, and the state is a prominent tourist destination known for its landscape, historical sites, and attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, the Collegiate Baseball Hall of Fame, and Six Flags Over Georgia.