The Peach State
Cities, Towns, State Symbols, Industry, Agriculture, Parks & More!
Cities:
Atlanta
Augusta
Columbus
Macon
Savannah
Athen s
Small Towns:
Dahlonega
Helen
Alma
Counties:
Fulton
Gwinnett
Cobb
Dekalb
Cherokee
Clayton
Forsyth
Henry
State Symbols
White - Tailed Deer
Brown Thrasher
Cherokee Rose
Live Oak
Gopher Tortoise
Largemouth Bass
Honeybee
Peach
Vidalia Onion
Industry: Film
Aerospace
Agriculture : Peaches
Corn
Blueberries
Watermelon
Soybeans
Dairy
Landmarks:
Stone Mountain
Chattahoochee River
Lake Lanier
Parks:
Amicalola Falls State Park
Okefenokee Swamp
Providence Canyon State Park
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Cumberland Island National
Seashore
Food & Culture: White Water Rafting
Sweet Tea
Soul Food
Brunswick Stew
Hip Hop
Civil Right s
Big Cities
Atlanta BIG CITY
Atlanta is the LARGEST city Georgia with a population of over 520,000 people.
Atlanta was founded in 1837 then became the capital city of Georgia in
“City in a Forest”
Atlanta Public Schools 49,000 students.
Atlanta, Georgia.
Peachtree St.
Augusta BIG CITY
Augusta is the 2nd largest city in Georgia with a population of over 200,000 people.
Augusta was established in it one of the oldest is known for hosting The Masters Tournament - one of the most famous golf tournaments in the world!
Richmond County School System has over 29,000 students.
“Garden City of the South”
Augusta served as Georgia’s capital city from 17851795.
Columbus BIG CITY
Columbus is the 3rd largest city in Georgia with a population of over 200,000 people.
Columbus is known for their white water along the Chattahoochee River. rafting courses the world!
Columbus is home to the Chatahoochee RiverWalk, a 22-mile path for walking & biking along the river.
Columbus has over nine historic districts. Columbus sits on the , where rivers drop from hills to flatter land.
The Muscogee County School District has over 30,000 Columbus was established in 1828
Macon BIG CITY
Macon is the 4th largest city in Georgia with a population of over 157,000 people.
Due to its centralized location, Macon is known as the “Heart of Georgia.”
Macon hosts a famous Cherry Blossom Festival every spring.
Bibb County School District has over 21,000 students. Macon was established in 1823
Macon is home to 10 historic districts.
Macon was built along the Ocmulgee River. Many famous musicians are from Macon, making the city known for its music history.
Savannah BIG CITY
One of the best art schools in the country is located in Savannah.
Savannah is the 5th largest city in Georgia with a population of over 148,000 people.
Savannah was founded in 1733 making it the first & oldest city in Georgia!
Savannah-Chatham County Public School System has over 35,000 students. Savannah is known for its live oak trees found throughout the city.
Forsyth Park is the largest park in Savannah & known for its iconic fountain.
“Hostess
City
of the
South
”
Savannah was the first capital city of Georgia.
Athens BIG CITY
Athens is the 6th largest city in Georgia with a population of over
Athens is known as the public higher education
the nation’s first statechartered public university.
Clarke County School District has over 12,000 students.
Athens, Georgia was named after Athens, to reflect its focus on education.
Small Towns
Dahlonega SMALL TOWN
Downtown Dahlonega is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dahlonega became a city in 1833
Dahlonega is a small town with a population of around
Dahlonega is famous for being the site of the FIRST major gold rush
1829.
Dahlonega was a part of the Cherokee Nation.
Dahlonega is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Lumpkin County Schools has around 5,000 students.
Dahlonega hosts a “Gold Rush Days” festival every year to celebrate its history.
Helen SMALL
TOWN
Helen is a small town in Georgia with a population of around 600 people.
Helen is famous for looking like a Bavarian village from southern Germany.
Füssen, Germany is Helen’s sister city
Helen is located along the Chattahoochee River, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Helen is home to many sweets and ice cream shops.
Helen covers only 2 square miles
White County School has around 4,500 students
Helen is famous for looking like a Bavarian village from southern Germany.
MILLIONS of people visit Georgia every year!
Alma was founded in 1900 but became an official city of Georgia in 1906.
Alma is the county seat of Bacon County.
Alma SMALL TOWN
Alma is a small town in Georgia with a population of around 3,400 people.
Alma, Georgia is proudly known Georgia's Blueberry Capital
Every year June, Alma hosts a blueberry festival.
Alma is about 6.2 square miles in size.
Goldwasser Park most popular parks in Alma.
Alma’s train station is listed on National Register of Historic Places.
Bacon County School District has around 2,100 students.
Counties
Fulton County
Fulton County is the most populated county in Georgia & home to 15 cities.
Atlanta is the largest city in Fulton County & also the capital city of Georgia.
Over 1,000,000 people live in Fulton
The world’s busiest airport, the HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) sits partially in Fulton County.
70 MILES
Fulton County is a major hub for Georgia’s film industry
County is home to over 300 parks & green spaces.
Fulton County stretches over 70 miles from top to bottom.
Fulton County Schools
88,000 students
Gwinnett County
County was founded in 1818
Gwinnett County is 2nd most populated in Georgia & home to 16 cities.
Peachtree Corners is the largest city in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
County is home to over 50 parks & green spaces.
“Vibrantly Connected”
Gwinnett County is known for its innovation & technology industry.
Gwinnett County was named
Button Gwinnett was 1 of Georgia’s 3 signers of the Declaration of Independence
Gwinnett County Public Schools is the LARGEST school district in Georgia.
Cobb County
Cobb County is county in Georgia & home to
Marietta, Georgia is most known for its historic downtown square.
Kennesaw Mountain is the highest point in Cobb County at 1,808 feet.
Marietta is the largest city in Cobb County, Georgia.
Cobb County is home to Georgia’s Major League Baseball team.
Cobb County was founded in
Cobb County was named after Georgia judge & U.S. senator, Thomas Willis Cobb.
Cobb County is home to some of the most popular dog parks in metro Atlanta.
Cobb County School District
106,000 students
Dekalb County
Dekalb County is 4th most populated county in Georgia & home to 12 cities.
Brookhaven entirely in Dekalb County, Georgia.
Being home to
Many visitors take a Skyride cable car top of Stone Mountain to see amazing views.
Dekalb County School District has over 91,000 students
Cherokee County
Cherokee County is 6th most populated county in Georgia & home to 6 cities.
Woodstock is the largest city in Cherokee County, Georgia.
began as just a railroad stop.
Cherokee County was established in 1831.
The Etowah River flows through Cherokee County.
Cherokee County has a strong connection to Georgia’s Native American history & is named after the Cherokee Nation.
Cherokee County is home to famous for its seasonal flower blooms
Cherokee County School District has over 42,000 students
Cherokee
Clayton County
Clayton County is 7th most populated county in Georgia & home to 7 cities.
Clayton County was founded in 1858.
Forest Park is the largest city in Clayton County, Georgia.
Clayton County was was named after U.S.
The world’s busiest airport, the HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) sits mostly in Clayton County.
to the Atlanta State Farmers Market.
The Atlanta State Farmers Market is one of the largest outdoor produce markets in the U.S.
Clayton County Public Schools has over 50,000 students
Forsyth County
Forsyth County is 8th most populated county in Georgia & home to only
Cumming, Georgia is the only city in Forsyth County.
Forsyth County is known for Lanier, Georgia’s LARGEST lake.
Forsyth County was named after former Governor of Georgia, John Forsyth.
Forsyth County covers around 247 square miles. discovered nearby Forsyth County in 1829, which brought many settlers to the area.
Forsyth County is home to the Sawnee Mountain Preserve.
Forsyth County was established in 1831.
Forsyth County School District has over 54,000 students
Henry County
the late 1890s is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Henry County is county in Georgia & home to Stockbridge in Henry County, Georgia.
Henry County is home to the Atlanta Motor Speedway, a very large
Henry County’s original land was used to form 8 other counties in Georgia. established on May 15, 1821.
“Mother
Of Counties”
Henry County Schools has over 44,000 students
State Symbols
STATE
MAMMAL
Tailed Deer
tailed deer are the official state mammal of Georgia.
The white-tailed deer became the official state mammal of Georgia in 2015.
tailed deer are very athletic; they can run 40 miles per hour & jump up to 10 feet high.
acorns, berries & leaves.
Only male deer grow antlers.
White-tailed deer are found in nearly every state in the U.S.
Male deer = “Buck”
Female deer = “Doe”
Baby deer = “Fawn”
White-tailed deer hooves leave a heart-shaped print called a track.
Brown Thrasher STATE BIRD
The brown thrasher is the official state bird of Georgia.
The Brown Thrasher became the official state bird of Georgia in Brown Thrashers are a type of
The name “Brown Thrashers” came from their habit of thrashing through leaves to find food.
Brown Thrashers prefer walking or Brown Thrashers are known for being early risers & singing before sunrise.
Brown Thrashers eat mostly , insects.
Brown Thrashers are one of the LOUDEST backyard songbirds.
In Georgia, Brown Thrashers stay year-round, even through the winter!
STATE FLOWER Cherokee Rose
The Cherokee Rose is the official state flower of Georgia.
The Cherokee Rose became the official state flower of Georgia in
Cherokee Roses grow on vine-like shrubs that can climb & reach up to 20 feet long!
Cherokee Roses were named after the Cherokee Nation, one of the largest Native American tribes in the Southeast.
The Cherokee Rose is a symbol resilience, hope and remembrance.
Cherokee Roses bloom only once a year.
In Georgia, Cherokee Roses bloom in March & April.
Cherokee Roses prefer to grow in warm, sunny
Cherokee Roses have
Cherokee Roses can also be found in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina & South Carolina.
STATE TREE Live Oak
The Live Oak is the official state tree of Georgia.
The Live Oak became the official state tree of Georgia in 1937.
Live Oak tree branches commonly grow wider than the tree is tall.
Live Oak trees can grow to be
“OAK ALLEYS ”
Live Oak trees can live for hundreds of years.
Live Oaks are great habitat trees, providing homes for insects, birds & small animals.
Live Oak trees stay green all year, which is why they are called “live” oak trees.
Gopher Tortoise STATE REPTILE
The gopher tortoise is the official state reptile of Georgia.
The gopher tortoise became the official state reptile of Georgia in
Gopher tortoises move very slow… only about 0.3 miles per hour!
Gopher tortoises are herbivores meaning they only eat plants like grasses flowers & leaves
Gopher tortoises can live for 50 -
80 years!
Gopher tortoises got their name because they burrows
most gopher tortoises are found in the southern part of the state.
The burrows dug by gopher tortoises 40 feet long & 10 feet deep!
Largemouth Bass STATE FISH
The largemouth bass is the official state fish of Georgia.
The largemouth bass became the official state fish of Georgia in
Largemouth bass can weigh over 20 pounds.
Largemouth bass have great eyesight.
Largemouth bass can swim up to speeds of 12 miles per hour
“Jumping the lure
Like their name suggests, largemouth bass are known for their big, wide mouths.
Largemouth bass are a part of the sunshine fish family.
Largemouth bass can grow
Largemouth bass are the most in Georgia.
Honeybee STATE INSECT
The honeybee is the official state insect of Georgia.
The honeybee became the official state insect of Georgia in 1975
Like their name suggests, honeybees are known for making honey from flower nectar.
One beehive can make 60100 pounds of honey per year.
A beehive a colony of honeybees.
honeybees has only one
Honeybees can fly up to 15 miles per hour.
Honeybees live in very large families called colonies that can have up to 60,000 bees.
Honeybees help pollinate many Georgia crops like watermelon, blueberries, peaches & more!
Honeybees are one of the MOST IMPORTANT insects for Earth’s ecosystem.
Peach STATE FRUIT
grows over 130 million pounds peaches each year.
Peaches are the official state fruit of Georgia.
Georgia peaches are known super sweet & juicy. Peach, Macon, Crawford & Taylor are Georgia’s main peach growing counties.
Georgia is nicknamed the “Peach State
Every summer, Fort Valley, GA hosts the Georgia Peach Festival. different varieties of peaches are grown in Georgia.
Peaches have been grown in Georgia for 300+ years.
Georgia peaches are in peak season from June - July.
Vidalia Onion STATE VEGETABLE
The Vidalia onion is the official state vegetable of Georgia.
The Vidalia onion became the official state vegetable of Georgia in 1990
Vidalia onions were first
Vidalia onion seeds are very small size of are known for being
Vidalia, GA hosts an annual Vidalia Onion Festival.
To be considered a Vidalia onion, the onions MUST be grown in a specific 20county region in Georgia.
Industry
Film INDUSTRY
Georgia is often referred to as the “Hollywood of the South
Georgia is one of the top filmmaking states in the U.S. with Georgia is home to Tyler Perry Studios, one of the largest film studios in the U.S.
The “Georgia Film Office,” was founded in 1973 to help bring movie & TV productions to the state.
The Georgia peach logo appears in the credits of movies that were filmed in Georgia.
superhero movies have been filmed in Georgia.
Georgia’s film industry supports thousands of jobs statewide.
industry continues to
Aerospace
INDUSTRY
WORLD’s BUSIEST AIRPORT
with an average of 2,700 flights every day.
Georgia is widely known around the world for its aerospace industry.
Aerospace products are Georgia’s 800+ aerospace companies are headquartered in Georgia.
Georgia’s aerospace industry designs, builds & maintains aircraft & aerospace technology.
Georgia’s aerospace industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs statewide. Aerospace industry jobs include engineers, mechanics technicians, pilots, researchers manufacturers & more!
Agriculture
Peaches GEORGIA
grows over 130 million pounds peaches each year.
Peaches are the official state fruit of Georgia.
Peach, Macon, Crawford & Taylor are Georgia’s main peach growing counties.
Georgia is nicknamed the “Peach State
Georgia peaches are known super sweet & juicy.
Every summer, Fort Valley, GA hosts the Georgia Peach Festival. different varieties of peaches are grown in Georgia.
Peaches have been grown in Georgia for 300+ years.
Georgia peaches are in peak season from June - July.
Corn GEORGIA
grown for human consumption.
Georgia, sweet corn is grown at a much smaller scale than field corn.
Corn is the third most widely grown crop in Georgia.
The majority of in Georgia is is mainly used for animal feed.
considered a vegetable, fruit AND
Georgia’s corn is usually harvested from late summer into early fall.
Corn is the number 1 field crop in America.
Georgia farmers harvest on average over 55 million bushels of corn per year.
Most of Georgia's corn is grown in the southern part of the state.
Blueberries GEORGIA
Alma is the “Blueberry Capital of Georgia Bacon County
GA hosts an annual blueberry festival
Georgia is the 3rd largest blueberry producing state in the U.S.
Georgia harvests over 130 million
Most of the blueberries grown in Georgia part of the state.
Georgia blueberry season runs April through July.
Georgia is home to around 18,000 acres of blueberry farms.
Rabbiteye blueberries are the most common type of blueberry grown in Georgia.
Watermelon GEORGIA
Georgia is the 3rd largest watermelon producing state in the U.S.
Cordele, Georgia is known as the Watermelon Capital of the World
watermelon are the most
Georgia watermelons take around 3 months to grow from seed to fruit.
Cordele, GA hosts a watermelon festival every summer.
Georgia produces about 650 million pounds of watermelon each year.
Most of Georgia’s watermelons are grown in the southern & central part of the state.
Soybeans GEORGIA
Soybeans are a major crop & grown throughout much of the state.
Most soybeans grown in Georgia are field soybeans. Field soybeans are grown to be processed into foods, animal feed & other products.
One acre of soybeans can produce over 82,000 crayons!
Soybeans are a type of legume which means they grow in pods.
Georgia soybeans are planted in the spring and harvested in the fall.
Each soybean pod has 2 to 4 beans inside. Soybeans that are eaten fresh are called edamame. “Miracle Bean”
Dairy GEOGRIA
Georgia produces around 227 MILLION gallons of milk per year.
Macon, Brooks and Sumter
Georgia’s leading dairy counties.
Georgia is home to 73 dairy farms & around 85,000 dairy cows.
Holstein cows are the ones with unique black & white spots!
Most Georgia dairy farms are . popular dairy cow breed in Georgia.
Georgia dairy farmers byproducts as citrus pulp, brewers’ grain and whole cottonseed that are consumed by the cows.
Most of Florida’s dairy farms are in the north central the state.
The average Georgia dairy cow produces 6-8 gallons of milk per day.
Landmarks
Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is is the LARGEST exposed piece of granite in the world.
Stone Mountain is located in DeKalb County just east of Atlanta. of quartz & feldspar can be found in
Visitors can take a Skyride cable car ride to the top of Stone Mountain. of forests, lakes, & trails.
Every fall, Stone Mountain Park hosts the Yellow Daisy Festival.
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River is a major river in the southeastern U.S.
The river starts in the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Georgia & flows all the way out to the Gulf of Mexico
The Chattahoochee River is about long & flows southwest through Georgia.
Many people go tubing and/or white-water rafting on the Chattahoochee River.
Trout fishing is very popular on the Chatahoochee River.
This river is a major source of drinking water for millions of people in Georgia.
The name “Chattahoochee” comes from a Native American word meaning “painted rocks.”
Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier has over 100 small islands scattered across it.
Lake Lanier is the largest lake located entirely within the state of Georgia
Lake Lanier is a man-made lake that was created when the Buford Dam was built.
Lake Lanier was created in the mid-1950s.
Boating & sailing is very popular on Lake Lanier.
Lake Lanier has nearly 700 miles of shoreline.
Lake Lanier Atlanta area.
Lake Lanier covers about 38,000 acres of water.
Lake Lanier is home to many kinds of fish, making it a popular destination for fishing.
Parks
Amicalola Falls
STATE PARK
Amicalola Falls State Park is known having the tallest waterfall in Georgia.
Amicalola Falls drops around 729 feet!
Amicalola Falls State Park covers 800+ acres of forests, trails, & waterfalls.
Natural Wonders
Amicalola Falls is considered as on of “Georgia’s Seven
This park offers guided educational tours.
Amicalola Falls State Park is a part of the Blue Ridge Mountain
Amicalola comes from a Cherokee word meaning “tumbling waters.”
Amicalola Falls State Park was established in 1940. hundreds of stairs that leads to the top of the falls.
Okefenokee Swamp
The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in the U.S.
The swamp is made up of shallow blackwater, peat beds, cypress forests & grassy ‘prairies.’
Most of the Okefenokee Swamp flows into the Suwannee River.
The swamp supports over 1,000 species of plants & animals.
The Okefenokee Swamp covers around 700 square miles.
This swamp is one of the bestpreserved wetlands in the U.S.
15,000 American live in the Okefenokee Swamp.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
“
Land of the Trembling Earth
”
Providence Canyon STATE
PARK
Providence Canyon State Park is famous for its bright, multi-colored canyons.
Providence Canyon State Park is nicknamed “Georgia's Little Grand Canyon.”
This park protects a series of 16 canyons. The deepest canyons in Providence Canyon State Park are about feet deep
Providence Canyon’s walls are made up of layered soil & minerals that give them their red, orange, pink & purple colors.
Providence Canyon State Park was officially established in 1971.
Providence Canyon State Park has over 10 miles of hiking trails.
Providence Canyon State Park is home to a rare flower called the plumleaf azalea.
Tallulah Gorge STATE
PARK
Tallulah Gorge State Park is famous for s deep canyon (gorge) & waterfalls.
The Tallulah Gorge was carved by the Tallulah River over millions of years.
The Tallulah Gorge is one of the deepest canyons east of the Mississippi River.
Tallulah Gorge became a state park in 1922.
Tallulah Gorge reaches nearly 1,000 feet at its deepest points.
The park is known for their “Bridge in the Air,” a suspension bridge 80 feet above the river.
Tallulah Gorge State Park is home to many kinds of wildlife, including black bears, river otters, deer, hawks, snakes & more!
Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island is protected as a National Seashore meaning its beaches, wildlife & natural beauty preserved.
NATIONAL SEASHORE
Cumberland Island is Geogia’s barrier island stretching for
Cumberland Island is famous for its horses that roam freely on the island. Cars are not allowed on the island, so most visitors explore by hiking, biking, or horseback riding.
Cumberland Island is only accessible by
Food & Culture
White Water Rafting
White water rafting is a popular activity in Georgia with its many fast-moving rivers. through water river rapids on inflatable rafts. The Chattooga River is Georgia’s most famous white water rafting river.
White water rafting trips in Georgia are most common in the spring, summer & early fall.
“Forward Paddle!” “Backward Paddle!” White water rafting requires teamwork!
The Chattooga River is located in northeast Georgia, along the border between Georgia & South Carolina.
Georgia’s Chattahoochee River has one of the longest urban white water rafting courses in the world.
Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is very popular in Georgia & often referred to Georgia’s “unofficial
Most Georgia sweet tea is made with black tea & sugar The use of black tea gives Georgia sweet tea its amber color. “ L I Q U I D S U N S H I N E ”
Sweet tea is widely recognized as a symbol of Southern hospitality
Sweet tea is one of the most commonly ordered drinks in restaurants across Georgia.
Sweet tea originated in the “American South” in the 1800s.
Adding sugar to the tea before it cools is a key step in making sweet tea.
Soul Food
Soul food is known for being
Soul food plays a special and important part of Georgia’s culture.
Soul food is a traditional style of cooking that originated from African American culture. Many soul food recipes are passed down through families for generations. goes into cooking soul food.
Soul food traditions are strongly rooted family, community & shared meals. Fried chicken and mac & cheese are very popular soul food dishes.
Georgia soul food often features locally grown produce like collard greens, sweet corn, sweet potatoes & peaches.
Brunswick Stew
Brunswick stew is one of Georgia’s most famous southern dishes.
Brunswick stew is said to have gotten its name from the coastal city of Brunswick, Brunswick stew has been a Brunswick stew is most commonly made with vegetables tomato-based sauce. lima beans, tomatoes & are some of the most popular vegetables used in Brunswick stew. Brunswick stew is known for being thick & hearty.
Brunswick stew is cooked slowly for many hours.
Hip-Hop
has played a major role hop music & culture. hop is a type of music & culture that , influential hip hop groups from Atlanta, Georgia. hop music from Atlanta often soul
Atlanta is home to many famous music producers, earning it the nickname of a “producer city.”
Hip-hop encourages & self-expression
“Southern
Swagger”
Civil Rights
Georgia played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s & 1960s.
Civil rights are about equality, fairness & justice for ALL people.
Because of its important role, Atlanta, Georgia is widely known as the "Cradle of
the Civil Rights Movement
Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most important & influential leaders in the Civil Rights Movement was born & raised in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia is where Martin Luther King Jr. preached his messages of equality & peace.
Many peaceful protests, marches & sit-ins were held in Georgia during the Civil Rights Movement.
Atlanta was a major meeting place where civil rights leaders planned peaceful actions.
