Appalachian Plateau Region• GA’s smallest physiographic region• Climate: Cooler because of the mountains• Economy: tourism, forestry• Location: NW corner of GA• Features: Limestone caves, deep canyons, &

rock formationsLookout Mountain, Sand Mountain, Chickamauga

• Soil: Limestone, shale, & sandstone

Ridge & Valley Region• Location: between the Blue Ridge Mountains

& Appalachian Plateau• Climate: warmer than mountains• Soil: Limestone & clay in valleys, Sandstone

& shale on ridges• Economy: Farming (apples & cattle) & carpet

industry• Features: Dalton (Carpet capital of the world)

Blue Ridge Region• Climate: Mountains provide much of the

state’s precipitation (cooler)• Location: Northeastern part of state• Features: GA’s highest & largest group of

mountains, Brasstown Bald (highest point), Helen, GA & Amicalola falls

• Soils: sandy loam & clay• Economy: tourism, forestry, vegetable

farming, apple farming

Piedmont Plateau• Climate: mild winters; hot, humid summers• Location: from the mountain foothills and

goes to central part of state (fall line)• Economy: industry, tourism, & some farming• Soil: Red clay & granite base• Features: Chattahoochee, Flint, Oconee, &

Ocmulgee riversAtlanta, Athens, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw MTN

Coastal Plain Region• Climate: mild winters; hot, humid summers• Economy: Farming (peanut, soybean, corn, &

pecans)• Location: from Piedmont (fall line) to coast of

GA• Soil: Varies from Limestone to clay• Features: Barrier islands, wetlands,

Okefenokee Swamp, Savannah, Continental Shelf, Naval Stores & pulp production

Barrier Islands

• Spanish Explorers called them “islands of gold”

• Protect beaches by blocking sand, winds, & water that could erode coastline

• 2/3’s remain wilderness areas• Recreation & seafood gathering as well as

tourism