Geographic Regions of Georgia

1
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.
• SS8E1 The student will give examples of the kinds
  of goods and services produced in Georgia in
  different historical periods.

2
Warm-Up

• Compare and Contrast these pictures. What do
  these pictures tell you about the different
  physiogeographic regions of Georgia?

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Terms to Know

• Physiogeographic
• Region
• Precipitation
• Wetland
• Barrier Island
• Continental Shelf
• Fall Line

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Georgia has 5 physio-geographic regions.

• Appalachian Plateau
• Ridge and Valley
• Blue Ridge
• Piedmont
• Coastal Plain
• The characteristics of each region make unique
  contributions to our state.

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Appalachian Plateauaka Cumberland Plateau/ TAG
corner

• Our smallest physiogeographic region
• From Lookout Mt. to Sand Mt. with ridges of
  limestone a long narrow valley in between
• Soil of limestone, shale sandstone hardwoods
  and pastureland
• Our only significant coal deposits.

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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)

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Blue Ridge

• Highest mts. in the state including Brasstown
  Bald- Georgias 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, Dahonega, Tallulah Gorge, and Helen
• See it while you can. Erosion continues to wear
  down the height of the mountains.

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Blue Ridge Images
Brasstown Bald You can see 3 states from this
point. Can you name them?
Amicalola Falls
Helen, Georgia has a strong German influence.
Why do you think that is? How does the town of
Helen contribute to our state?
Ga. Fruits Vegetables
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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 (Whats 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.

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Piedmont Images
Georgias Flint River starts in Clayton County.
Why do you think most of Georgias major cities
are located in the Piedmont region?
Sandy loam and red clay are make good soil for
agriculture.
Why do you think most of Georgias rivers start
in the Piedmont region?
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Coastal Plain

• Good supply of underground water
• Major agriculture region, Vidalia Onions,
  Peanuts, Corn, Pecans
• Soil in outer area not good for agriculture, but
  pine trees provide products for naval stores
• Deep harbors, Barrier Islands with lots of
  tourism, recreation and fishing
• Location of the earliest visits by explorers and
  Georgias first settlements.

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Coastal Plain Images
Why do you think a British flag flies over Fort
Frederica?
Trees are used to produce pulp and naval stores.
The processed goods are then shipped from our
shores.
Our shores continue to bring visitors to our
state.
Early map of Savannah
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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)

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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.

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Georgias Barrier IslandsIslands 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.

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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