The state of Georgia is located in the southeastern United States. It shares borders with Florida in the south, Atlantic Ocean and South Carolina in the east, Alabama in the west and Tennessee and North Carolina in the north.
The territory of Georgia can be divided into six main land regions: the Appalachian Plateau, the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, the Blue Ridge, the Piedmont, the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and the East Gulf Coastal Plain.
Atlantic Coastal Plain:The Atlantic Coastal Plain is the part of the Atlantic Plain. The Atlantic Plain extends from Massachusetts to the Florida peninsula and around the Gulf of Mexico. It lies in southeast Georgia along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. The topography of this region is characterized by a flat landscape. The rivers of this region drain into the Atlantic Ocean. The Okefenokee Swamp lies in the southern part of the Atlantic Plain.
Geographical Facts About Georgia |
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|---|---|
| Area | 59,441 square miles |
| Land Area | 57,919 square miles |
| Water Area | 1,522 square miles |
| Highest point | Brasstown Bald, 4,784 feet above sea level |
| Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean |
| Highest temperature | 112 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Lowest temperature | -17 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Geographic Center | Twiggs County |
- East Gulf Coastal Plain: The East Gulf Coastal Plain is located in southwest Georgia. It covers one-fourth of the area of the state, and has a similar landscape to that of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The soil in this region is less sandy. The great Suwannee River flows south into the Gulf of Mexico.
- Piedmont: The Piedmont region cuts across the state of Georgia. It lies in the northwest of the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the East Gulf Coastal Plain. The landscape of this region is hilly in the north, where the elevation is as high as 1,500 feet above sea level. The hills in the southeast become more gentle and the elevation is significantly reduced. Along the fall line, the rivers flowing from the higher elevations form waterfalls and rapids.
- Blue Ridge: Blue Ridge is located in the northeastern region of the state. It is a small section situated in the north of the Piedmont. The elevation of mountains in this area range from 2000 feet to 5000 feet above sea level. The rivers in this region provide hydro-electric power to the state. The highest point of the state is found in the Blue Ridge area.
- Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region: Appalachian Ridge and Valley lie in the northwestern Georgia. The topography of this region comprises a series of broad, fertile valleys separated by parallel ridges of sandstone.
- Appalachian Plateau: Appalachian is an isolated small piece of Georgia in the extreme northwestern corner of the state. The topography comprises narrow valley and wood ridges. Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain are found in this region.
Climate of Georgia
Georgia has subtropical climate. The state experiences mild winters and hot, moist summers with annual rainfall varying from about 40 inches to 75 inches. It is one of the leading states in frequency of tornadoes. The coastline of the state is vulnerable to hurricanes and is usually affected by hurricanes striking the Florida panhandle. The highest temperature ever recorded was 112 degrees Fahrenheit at Louisville on July 24, 1952. On January 27, 1940, northern Floyd County recorded the lowest temperature (-17 degrees Fahrenheit).
Rivers
Savannah River is a large river, which extends to the foothills of the Appalachians. Its drainage area is 28,750 square kilometers. Other major rivers of the state are Chattahoochee River and Suwanne River.
Mountains
There are four important mountain ranges in the US state of Georgia: Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains, Cohutta Mountains, and North Georgia Mountains. Some of the notable mountains in the state are Pine Log Mountain, Mount Wilkinson, Rocky Mountain, Sawnee Mountain, Sand Mountain, and Black Mountain.
Lakes
West Point Lake is a man-made reservoir in Georgia. It is formed by damming the Chattahoochee River. Other major lakes in the state are Clark’s Hill Lake and Lake Hartwell.