Importance of key physical features on Georgia

The Fall Line

• 20 mile wide boundary separating Piedmont & Coastal Regions

• Contains many waterfalls (caused travel trouble in olden days)

• Travelers stopped; cities were created• Columbus, Macon, Milledgeville, & Augusta became

centers of commerce because rivers ran through them• Different types plants & animals on either side• North & South geography different on each side:

North=crystal rocks & clay soilSouth-=sedimentary rocks & sandy soil

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=fall+line+in+georgia&hl=en&safe=active&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=705&tbm=isch&prmd=ivns&tbnid=6PnEsiDJ8UX8xM:&imgrefurl=http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/F/fall_line.html&docid=Y9x3TaSffoTPiM&w=300&h=200&ei=ikRSTt7CLNO2tge0kPXKCQ&zoom=1

Okefenokee Swamp

• 400 species of animals• Largest swamp in North America• Seminole Indians called it “land of the trembling earth”• 1937, Pres. Roosevelt created Okefenokee National

Wildlife Refuge-Protected the land & stopped logging of oldest/largest trees in the nation• No roads & Healthy ecosystem• Cretaceous period, swamp part of ocean floor• Currently fresh water

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Okefenokee+Swamp+in+georgia&hl=en&safe=active&biw=1280&bih=705&tbm=isch&tbnid=ybdnzC-xv64_ZM:&imgrefurl=https://sites.google.com/a/whiteoakes.org/menright/georgia-regions/swamp-and-marsh-regions&docid=Cy5QsS1dOS9O7M&w=104&h=113&ei=u0VSTrrQBYW3twfNmLHKCQ&zoom=1

Appalachian Mountains

• Southern most part of chain is blue ridge mts• 100 miles extends through GA• Brasstown Bald (states highest point) located in Towns County• States highest & wettest areas; more than 80 inches of rain

per year (drinking water!)• Tourists like waterfalls & scenic views (also kayakers & rafters)• Crest (top) of Mts. Forms the continental divide

Divides the direction that rivers drainWestern rivers drain into Gulf of MexicoEastern rivers drain into Atlantic Ocean

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Appalachian+Mountains+in+georgia&hl=en&safe=active&biw=1280&bih=705&tbm=isch&tbnid=qnScCrF4JP-i-M:&imgrefurl=http://www.trails.com/list_39321_summit-climbing-georgia-mountains.html&docid=PHuEsmwcexuuzM&w=295&h=195&ei=qEdSTs6kAoKbtwfOoYDLCQ&zoom=1

Chattahoochee River

• Flows SW to Alabama into Gulf of Mexico• Flows through the Fall Line• Steamboats went south delivering cotton• North of Atlanta was creek-like & powered

mills during Civil War era• After WWI dams were created for

hydroelectric power or to control flooding• Important for drinking & recreational purposes

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Chattahoochee+River+in+georgia&hl=en&safe=active&biw=1280&bih=705&tbm=isch&tbnid=J_frZIQg77KmAM:&imgrefurl=http://www.organicawater.com/blog/2011/07/01/georgias-legal-battle-over-lake-lanier-continues/&docid=LOmyfANPIh6-xM&w=300&h=207&ei=7EhSTqy3MMiltwer5NzKCQ&zoom=1

Savannah River

• Natural boundary between GA & SC• Begins at Lake Hartwell flowing SW to

Savannah-empties into Atlantic• Shipping channel for Savannah; one of our

nations busiest ports for ocean bound ships• Hydroelectric damming provides power to

surrounding areas• Drinkable - pollution is a health concern

Barrier Islands

• Barriers between mainland & ocean• Constantly reformed by wind, waves, & currents• Golden Isles hold beaches & resorts• Vacation spots: Jekyll, Sea, Tybee, & St. Simons

Islands• (tourism=money for economy)• Other islands can only be reached by boat• Other industries: paper production & fishing.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Barrier+Islands+in+georgia&hl=en&safe=active&biw=1280&bih=705&tbm=isch&tbnid=f6i4fOhR-RrXnM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Islands&docid=mg3WVVQ8pDe9UM&w=300&h=300&ei=30pSTsyrMoWztwfEia3LCQ&zoom=1