8TH GRADE PREVIEW UNIT

GEOGRAPHY OF GEORGIA

I. GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS OF GEORGIA

OR “The Regions Flipbook”

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia

Coastal Plains Largest region – makes

up 60% of the state Separated from the

Piedmont by the Fall Line.

Soft and sandy land with deep, wide, and slow moving rivers perfect for large boats

Coastline consists of bad farmland, barrier islands, wetlands, and estuaries

Further from the coast you find the peanut, peach, and pecan farms that make Georgia proud

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia

Piedmont Piedmont means “foot

of the mountain” Takes up 30% of the

state Most populated region Famous for red clay

with bedrock underneath

Except where the bedrock is exposed, the soil is generally well suited for growing many crops including cotton

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia

Blue Ridge Most mountainous Highest average

elevation Highest point in Georgia

is found in this region: Brasstown Bald (4,784 ft)

The mountains of the region cools the warm, water filled air currents off the Gulf of Mexico producing most of Georgia’s precipitation

Many of Georgia’s rivers start in this region

Only 1% of Georgia’s farmland is found in this region, though a few vegetable and fruit crops flourish here like apples and pumpkin

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia

Ridge and Valley Part of much larger

region that stretches down the east coast that consists of ridges and valleys

Ridges are forest covered

4% of Georgia’s farmland is located in the region

Good land for livestock as well as forestry

I. Geographic Regions of Georgia

Appalachian Plateau Smallest region The region is made

up of flat-topped mountains with steep sides

Many limestone caves and waterfalls are found in this region

Poor farming Only known source

of coal in Georgia found in the region

II. IMPORTANT GEORGIAN PHYSICAL FEATURESOR “Major Physical Features You Need To Know”

II. Georgian Physical Features

A. The Fall LineSplits two regions: the Coastal Plain

and the PiedmontMarks a prehistoric ocean shoreline

when the Piedmont was actually the coast of Georgia and the Coastal Plain was underwater

Rivers passing over the Fall Line from north to south, pick up speed as they “fall” across the line

“Calms” the fast moving mountain rivers of northern Georgia and creates the wide, slow moving rivers of southern Georgia

In our study of Georgia history this year, you will learn how the Fall Line is important in river navigation and water power as the state developed

II. Georgian Physical Features

B. Okefenokee Swamp

Located south of Waycross along the Florida border

A National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area

One of the largest freshwater wetlands in America

II. Georgian Physical Features

C. The Appalachian MountainsStretches from northeast

Georgia to southern Pennsylvania

Contains the highest point east of the Mississippi River

Springer Mountain in Georgia marks the beginning of the Appalachian Trail, which ends in Maine. (2,158 miles long)

The Blue Ridge Mountains are considered part of the Appalachian Highlands and cools warm wet air from the Gulf of Mexico, creating large amounts of rainfall most years.

II. Georgian Physical Features

D. Chattahoochee and Savannah River

Chattahoochee – “River of the Painted Rock”

436 miles long, from northern Georgia to Gulf of Mexico

Water supply for several cities in Georgia, most notably Atlanta

Savannah –

314 miles long, from South Carolina to Atlantic Ocean

First European settlement in Georgia was along this river

II. Georgian Physical Features

E. The Barrier IslandsThe coastline of Georgia

is a chain of marshes, rivers, and tributaries littered with a group of islands.

The islands form a barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches of the mainland, protecting from them from severe wind and water erosion.

II. Georgian Physical Features

F. Salt MarshesAlmost of a third of the Atlantic Coast’s

tidal salt marshes are located in Georgia’s lower coastal plain.

Wide expanses of salt marshes are the most visible physical feature along Georgia’s 100 mile long coast.

The salt marshes stretch in a band four to six miles wide between the mainland and coastal barrier islands.

A major reason for Georgia’s extensive expanses of salt marsh is that its coast experiences the highest tides along the southeastern shoreline.

In general, the higher the tidal range, the greater the production potential of the marsh.

III. THE CLIMATE OF GEORGIA

OR “Is It Raining?”

III. The Climate of Georgia

Because of its latitude, Georgia has an overall mild climate in most of the state

Along the coast there is a subtropical feel

Georgia enjoys all the four seasons

For most of the state the summers are hot and humid and the winters are mild.

III. The Climate of Georgia

The mountains of Georgia still experience warm summers though their winters can be slightly harsher than the rest of the state because of their elevation.

III. The Climate of Georgia

Because of the state’s “comfortable” climate for most of the year, Georgia attracts many different companies and industries to the state.

Georgia also has a longer growing season that supports a variety of crops.