Cornell Note-taking(Two Column Notes) Step 3: Record

During lesson, take notes here to record the details relating to the main idea.

•Skip lines to end one idea and to start another. Use abbreviations (b/c, gov., etc., lol) and phrases

Step 2: Recall

Essential Question?

How would you describe the different geographic regions of Georgia?

Step 4: summarize the ideas and facts in as few words as possible include notes about upcoming quizzes/tests

Geographic Regions of Georgia SS6G11b 8/28/09SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location. b. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain. c. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands.

Warm-Up1. Which statement BEST describes Georgia’s relative location? A. Georgia is a northeastern state. B. Georgia is located north of Florida C. Georgia is located in the southwestern United States D. Georgia is located between 30º and 35º N latitude and between 80º and 85º W

longitude.

2. How many states border Georgia? A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 8

• What are the names of the states that border Georgia?A. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina

B. Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida C. Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina D. Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Florida, and North Carolina

4. Into which hemisphere does the prime meridian place Georgia?

A eastern hemisphere

B northern hemisphere

C southern hemisphere

D western hemisphere

The Regions of GeorgiaThe Regions of Georgia

© 2010 Clairmont Press© 2010 Clairmont Press

Geographic Regions of Georgia

SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.

b. Describe the five geographic regions of Georgia; include the Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateau, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain.

c. Locate and evaluate the importance of key physical features on the development of Georgia; include the Fall Line, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Mountains, Chattahoochee and Savannah Rivers, and barrier islands.

What is Physical Geography?

• Physical geography• Physical geography focuses on understanding

the processes and pattern of natural environment

Georgia has 5 physiogeographic regions.

• Appalachian Plateau• Ridge and Valley• Blue Ridge• Piedmont• Coastal PlainThe characteristics of each region make

unique contributions to our state.

• Smallest Region• Appalachian Mountains stretch from

north Georgia into Canada (over 2000 miles).

• Among the oldest mountains in the world; worn down by thousands of years of erosion.

• The plateau region is the western side of the Appalachian range. It is known for high, scenic bluffs of relative flat lands overlooking wide, beautiful valleys.

• In northwest corner of Georgia and part of the 80 mile-long Lookout Mountain.

• Many caves due to limestone underground.

• Coal and iron mined in the region.• Cloudland Canyon State Park is in

this region.

Appalachian Plateau Regionaka: Cumberland Plateau/ TAG corner

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Appalachian Plateauaka: Cumberland Plateau/ TAG corner

• Worn away by erosion• Northwest corner of Georgia• Ellison’s Cave is 12th largest• Coal fields and iron ore mines• Made up of old mountains

• The Ridge and Valley region has long ridges of mountains, separated by long valleys.

• Chickamauga, Armuchee, and Great Valley are important valleys.

• Valleys have fertile land good for farming.

• Roads and streams follow the valleys. A few roads cross the ridges to connect roads in the valleys.

• Region is divided from the mountains in the east by the Carter’s Dam Fault.

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Ridge and Valley Region

Ridge and Valley• Lower elevation than Appalachian Plateau • Low open valleys and narrow ridges• Soil good for forests, pastures, and crops such as

grain and apples (Ellijay)• Industry includes textiles and carpet (Dalton is the

carpet capital of the world)

Ridge and Valley• Long ridge of mountains with long valleys• Chickamauga valley and the Great Valley• Divided by Cartersville Great Fault Valley• Fertile Farmland

• The Blue Ridge range is a part of the larger Appalachian Mountains.

• The mountains are more rugged and the valleys randomly arranged as compared to the Ridge and Valley region.

• Most roads follow the winding valleys.• Elevations of 1,600 to 4,700 feet above

sea level give the region a cooler climate.

• Brasstown Bald (4,784 feet) is tallest mountain.

• Appalachian Trail begins here.• Gold has been found in the region, and

marble is an important natural resource.

• Tourists come to hike, view wildlife, canoe, raft, and enjoy trees in their fall colors.

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Blue Ridge Mountains Region

Blue Ridge• Highest mts. in the state including Brasstown

Bald- Georgia’s highest point.• Provides water for the entire state through

precipitation from trapping warm moist Gulf air• Sandy loam and clay soil good for hardwoods,

vegetable farming and apples• Beginning of Appalachian Trail, home to Amicalola

Falls, Tallulah Gorge, and Helen• See it while you can. Erosion continues to wear

down the height of the mountains.

Blue RidgeBrasstown Bald is highest PointNorth East GeorgiaStretches from VA to NE GAWaterfalls and rapid streamsHiking trail known as Appalachian Trail1800’s gold was foundCherokee Indians lived here until forced off their

land

Blue Ridge Images

Brasstown Bald: You can see 3 states from this point. Can you name them?

Helen, Georgia has a strong German influence. Why do you think that is? How does the town of Helen contribute to our state?

Amicalola Falls

Ga. Fruits & Vegetables

• The Piedmont is known for its rolling hills between the mountains and Coastal Plain.

• Plentiful granite and clay soil with fertile farms.

• Many Georgians live in the region.• Rivers flow through the Piedmont,

including the Chattahoochee and Savannah.

• Pine trees as well as hardwood forests (oak, elm, maple, hickory, etc.).

• Southern boundary is the Fall Line.• Changes in rock type cause the ground

to fall away, creating waterfalls at the “fall” line across the state.

• Cities grew along the Fall Line since ships could navigate from the Atlantic to this point (Augusta: Savannah River; Milledgeville: Oconee River; Macon: Ocmulgee River; Columbus: Chattahoochee River).

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Piedmont Region

Piedmont: “Foot of the mountain” • Begins in the mountain foothills of N. Georgia and

goes to the central part of the state.• You live in the Piedmont region.• Granite based foundation (What’s our largest granite

outcropping?)• Soil is sandy loam and red clay suitable for growing

hardwoods, pine, and agriculture.• Cotton belt before the Civil War, now wheat,

soybeans, corn, poultry, and cattle.• Some of the most densely populated cities and

crossed by Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, and Oconee rivers.

Piedmont: “Foot of the mountain” • Largest populated region• Rolling Hills• Red clay caused by iron oxide in the soil• Chattahoochee River flows through this region • Stone Mountain• Granite mines• Atlanta

Piedmont Images

Why do you think most of Georgia’s major cities are located in the Piedmont region?

Georgia’s Flint River starts in Clayton County.

Why do you think most of Georgia’s rivers start in the Piedmont region?

Sandy loam and red clay are make good soil for agriculture.

• The Coastal Plain is in the southern half of state and is the largest region.

• Region has underground limestone and sandy soil.

• A part of the Floridan Aquifer (underground water storage region) which stores much fresh water.

• Lower coastal plain has Georgia’s barrier islands, 100 miles of coastline, marshes, and the Okefenokee Swamp.

• Flatland makes for highways that are straight and level.

• Home to many types of wildlife.• Farming is important to the region’s

economy. • Longleaf pines grew above acres of

wiregrass before the 1800s; railroads made it possible to transport large trees for lumber. There are few of these areas left.

• Loblolly and slash pines are grown in the region today for lumber. 20

Coastal Plain Region

• Largest Region in size• 100 miles of coastline• Once covered by the Atlantic• Aquifers are the largest

source of fresh water• Low, flat, marshland• Okefenokee Swamp

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Coastal Plain Region

Coastal PlainThere are two parts to Georgia’s coastal plain:•The Inner Coastal Plain•The Outer Coastal Plain

Which color do you think represents the Inner Coastal Plain and which color represents the Outer Coastal Plain? Why?

The Inner Coastal Plain• Good supply of underground water• Major agricultural region: Vidalia Onions,

peanuts, pecans, and corn • Why do you think President Jimmy Carter was

known as “The Peanut Farmer from Georgia” during his campaign?

The Outer Coastal Plain• Soil not good for agriculture but trees provide

naval stores and pulp production• Deep harbors and barrier islands also provide for

tourism/recreation, fishing industry, and ports for importing/exporting goods.

• Location of the earliest visits by explorers, first forts for protection, and Georgia’s first settlements.

Outer Coastal Plain Images

Trees are used to produce pulp and naval stores. The processed goods are then shipped from our shores.

Why do you think a British flag flies over Fort Frederica?

Early map of Savannah

Our shores continue to bring visitors to our state.

Other Important Coastal Plain Features

• Okefenokee Swamp:– Covers 681 square miles making it the largest swamp

in North America– Freshwater wetland (wetland: low-lying land area

where water lies close to the surface)

Another type of wetland• Salt Marshes:

– A wetland that is influenced by tides– Georgia ranks 4th in the nation in wetland acres

A marsh at low tide. The same marsh at high tide.

Georgia’s Barrier Islands“Islands of Gold”

• Barrier islands protect the mainland from wind, sand, and water that cause erosion.

• Georgia has 18 barrier islands.• These islands are tourist destinations but 2/3 of the

land remains wilderness sanctuaries.

Other Georgia Geographic Features

• Continental Shelf:– Where the land meets the sea

• The Fall Line:– Where hilly land meets the coastal plain– Runs from Columbus through Macon to Augusta– Prevented exploration but provided for settlements