Last updated on July 1st, 2024
54. Fort Benning, considered, one of the best army installations in the world, is located in Columbus, Georgia. It is named after Henry L. Benning, a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War.
55. Georgia is rich in marble. The marble from the state was used to build the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the capitols of many states.
56. Stone Mountain in Georgia is the biggest portion of exposed granite in the world. It is about 1,500 feet high and has a nearly four-mile circumference.
57. The Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta is one of the world’s largest aquariums. The aquarium holds more than 10 million US gallons of marine and salt water, and it houses more than a hundred thousand animals. Some of the species available in the aquarium include Whale shark, Beluga whale, California sea lions, African penguins, etc.
58. In downtown Atlanta, Georgia, is the world’s largest drive-in restaurant, The Varsity. There is room for 600 cars in the lot and 800 diners inside.
59. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world’s largest airport in terms of the total number of passengers it handles every year.
60. The largest peach cobbler in the world is made every year in Fort Valley at the Georgia Peach Festival. About 75 gallons of peaches are used in creating this marvel.
61. The world’s longest urban white water rafting course–WhiteWater Express–is in Columbus, GA.
62. Hosted in Atlanta, Georgia, the International Production & Processing Expo is the world’s largest annual poultry, meat and feed industry event of its kind.
63. Georgia is one of the most prominent places for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The Ryan White Program provides medical care for people living with it.
64. Savannah is a long-standing city which is famous for its rich and vibrant history, well-preserved architecture, and its beautiful coastal landscapes. It is the only city where you can take your cocktails with you so long as you are within its historic district boundaries.
65. After several years of a quest to amend the city’s name, the council of South Fulton held a meeting on November 13, 2017, and unanimously voted to change the city name (Renaissance). However, the name was later changed by the veto powers of the Mayor a month later. This is why it still remains South Fulton City.
66. Located near the South Carolina border, Augusta boasts of being home to the oldest independent African-American church to have been established, Springfield Baptist Church. It is at this site that the congregation still meets and the origin of Morehouse College.
67. Incorporated in 1838, and positioned on the banks of the Flint River, Albany is the hub of Southwest Georgia for recreation, health care, education, shopping, and culture.
68. Located along the southern border of Camden County, St. Mary’s is the gateway to the Cumberland Island national seashore. It is also home to the Crooked River State Park, the St. Mary’s Submarine museum. Adjust your visit so that you can enjoy the annual St. Mary’s Rock Shrimp Festival.
69. If you love experiencing local history, having picnics, or taking photos visit the Callaway Memorial Tower (historic mill village of LaGrange). Also referred to as the Callaway Monument, it is surrounded by an attractive green lawn, perfect for exploring, sunbathing, or picnicking with your family. Do not forget to visit other attractive venues like the Lafayette Square, Southbend Park, and much more.
70. Visit the Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum to know more about Valdosta and its surrounding areas. Covering an area of approximately 10,000 sq. ft. this museum boasts of a huge archive of documents and photographs from the city’s early days and a huge research library full of genealogy records, government documents, and books.
71. Unarguably one of the best places to live in Georgia, Canton in Cherokee County, is a suburb of Atlanta, and has a population of 27,127. It is chock full of young professionals. Most residents also rent their homes. If you want to live in a place that offers a dense suburban feel, then Canton is the right place for you.
72. Famous for its performing arts community, mountain vistas, and wine country, Dahlonega is full of great restaurants, places to stay, and full of things to do. Visit the Crisson gold mine to understand the techniques of gold mining first-hand. Try your luck by panning for gemstones and gold. The only working stamp mill of Georgia lies here.
73. Modern amenities and history combine in Roswell to form a mosaic of memories you will cherish forever. The city’s 640-acre Historic District is filled with fantastic shopping centers, arts, theaters, restaurants, festivals, ghost walks, and the Southern Trilogy home tours.
74. Named by Fortune magazine as the number one retirement destination, Athens is among the classic cities of the south. It boasts of a historic downtown, a low cost of living, as well as sunny weather. It is famous worldwide for its music bands such as the Pylon, Drivin’ and Cryin’, Widespread Panic, the B-52s, and the REM.
75. Columbus, Georgia, is the birthplace of the Mother of Blues, Ma Railey. She was one of the earliest known professional Blues singers in the US.
76. When compared to the other towns, cities, and CDPs (Census Designated Places) in Georgia, Cusseta ranks in the upper quartile for diversity index and in the lower quartile for population density. As of July 1, 2019, there were only 10,288 inhabitants in the United Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County.
77. Atlanta is the home of famous rappers like Killer Mike, Waka Flocka, CeeLoGreen, Childish Gambino, Gucci Mane, Ludacris, and Outkast. It has also produced pop and rock music singers such as Attractive Eighties Woman, The Changelings, Shawn Mullins, The Black Crowes, Indigo girls, and bands like Light Pupil Dilate, and Maserati.
78. Stuart Gorrell and Hoagy Carmichael wrote the song ‘Georgia on My Mind’ in 1930. The song was associated with Albany and was adopted as Georgia’s official State Song in 1979.
79. More than 700 films and shows have been shot in Atlanta, Georgia since the 1970s. That is the reason why it was recently named Hollywood of the South.
80. The 1936 novel ‘Gone With the Wind’ was written by an Atlanta, Georgia native, Margarette Mitchell. The book won the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize.
81. In the North of Georgia, USA, is the most beautiful Christmas town in the world. The old-fashioned Christmas festivities will last for a month.
82. Georgia was the first state in the US to lower the legal voting age from 21 to 18. In 1943, they decided that if you are old enough to fight, you are old enough to vote.
83. Another interesting fact about Georgia is that it was the first British colony that banned rum in 1738. This law was to prevent people from becoming idle.
84. Georgia, USA, was one of the first states to ban the production and selling of alcohol in 1907. It lasted until 1935.
85. In 1905, The Georgia Supreme Court was the first in the country to recognize privacy as a constitutional right. The common law right for publicity was also recognized at the time.
86. Georgia was the first state in the US to give woman full property right in 1866. Legislation was passed to give married women the right to own property.
87. In May 2019, Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 481, the most extreme abortion ban in the country. The law illegalizes abortion after about six weeks (so-called heartbeat bill, it outlaws abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detectable.)
88. Did you know that the 1996 Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta, Georgia? The games held in Atlanta are also referred to as the Centennial Olympic Games, as they marked the centenary of the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. Moreover, these Games were the fourth Summer Olympics to be hosted by the United States.
89. The Jekyll Island resort holds the Shrimp and Grits Festival In Glynn County, Georgia, every year. There, you can enjoy the classic southern dish.
90. The Geechee and Gullah culture of African Americans has been a tradition in Georgia for many years. They have different traditions, dialects, and cuisines that are still present today.
91. The Ring Shout is America’s oldest African-American tradition, and Georgia’s McIntosh County Shouters is a popular performance group. It’s a mixture of dancing, singing, and percussion.
92. A famous dish from Georgia, USA, is the Lowcountry Boil. It is an outdoor dish and contains shrimp, sausage, crab, potatoes, and corn in an all-in-one-pot buffet.
93. Georgia is the state of peanuts, with a wide variety of peanut dishes at your disposal. One of these cuisines is boiled or fried peanuts, a fan favorite from Georgia.
94. According to many people, Macon city is greatly known for its popular local chain, NuWay Weiners, which sells “chili” burgers and hotdogs. But do not be slayed by the chili aspect yet. Those who founded this joint originated from Greece, which is why the recipe is largely made of Greek ingredients. Perhaps every person visiting the city is compelled to have a fan taste of this secret recipe known only to Macon.
About the Flag of Georgia
1. Design and Symbolism
The Georgia state flag has three horizontal stripes of equal height: red, white, and red. In the upper left corner is a blue square with 13 white stars encircling a golden coat of arms.
The five-pointed stars depict the Thirteen Colonies that started the revolt against British rule. Georgia is one of these states as a signatory of the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
The coat of arms has three pillars representing the branches of government. Words in ribbons wrap around them: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation. A soldier stands guard in a Revolutionary War uniform.
At the top is an arch that signifies the supremacy of the constitution. At the bottom are the words “In God we trust.” Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi have this flag motto in common.
2. Technical Details
This flag follows various proportions: 2:3, 3:5, and 5:8. Meanwhile, the blue square must cover two-thirds of the flag width, equivalent to the two upper bands.
When arranging the stars, ensure uniform distance along a circle with one tip pointing outward. One of them must be directly above the middle of the golden arch.
3. History
The First Flag
In 1879, senator Herman Perry introduced the first state flag that honors Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. It also had horizontal red, white, and red stripes, but the left side had a vertical blue band. They later added the Georgia coat of arms.
The Second Flag
In 1956, the General Assembly adopted a new design with the Confederate Battle Flag. It kept the blue band, removed the other stripes, and replaced them with the star-filled blue “X” with red triangles in the hollows. A white strip highlights the borders.
Since the Confederacy has associations with slavery, many criticized the new flag as racist. In the 1990s, Georgia got more attention as the venue for the 1996 Summer Olympics. It also increased scrutiny of the state flag.
The Third Flag
In 2001, the General Assembly rushed the approval of a third flag designed by respected commercial architect Cecil Alexander. It was a compromise that changed the overall appearance by highlighting the state seal on a blue field but including a small image of the controversial 1956 flag. Other images under the seal are a 13-star US flag, a pre-1879 state flag, a 1920 state flag, and a 50-star US flag.
The Fourth Flag
In 2003, general dissatisfaction with the third flag led to the creation of a fourth flag. The new governor, Sonny Perdue, asked the state legislature to propose a design. The 2001 and 2003 flags were subject to a referendum, where the latter won 73.1% of the votes.
4. Facts
Several unofficial flags circulated before 1876, including the Bonnie Blue Flag with a white star at the center of a blue field.
The design principle behind the fourth flag is the First National Flag of the Confederacy, also known as the “Stars and Bars.”
Governor Roy Barnes lost in the next election after replacing the controversial 1956 flag. Critics called his alternative the “Barnes rag,” but he stands by his belief that divisive symbols of racism have no place in government emblems.
Georgia state – quick facts and state symbols
| State Abbreviation | GA |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Atlanta List Of 50 U.S. States And Their Capital |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 59,425 sq miles; Land Only: 57,906 sq miles |
| Population | 11,029,227 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | January 2, 1788 |
| State rank by population | 8th |
| State rank by date of formation | 4th |
| State rank by area | 24th |
| Number of Counties | 159 Complete list of 50 states and number of counties in each |
| Demonym | Georgian |
| Bordering States | Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee |
| Official Language | English |
| Highest Point | Brasstown Bald 4,784 ft (1,458 m) |
| Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean Sea level |
| Mean elevation | 600 feet above sea level |
| Length | 298 miles (480 km) |
| Width | 230 miles (370 km) |
| Governor | Brian Kemp (R) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Burt Jones (R) |
| Electoral Votes | 16 |
| State Motto | Wisdom, justice, and moderation |
| State Nickname | Peach State; Empire State of the South |
| % Water | 2.6 |
| Nobel Prize Winners | Martin Luther King Jr. (Peace, 1964) Jimmy Carter (Peace, 2002) |
| Famous People | Richard Dent (Pro Football Player) Frank Thomas (Baseball Player) Teresa Edwards (Basketball Player) Julia Roberts (Actress) Kanye West (Singer) |
| U.S. President Born in Georgia | 1. James Earl Carter Jr. |
| State Song | Georgia on My Mind |
| Fossil | Shark tooth |
| State Dog | Adoptable Dog |
| State Amphibian | Green tree frog |
| State Insect | Honeybee |
| State Flower | Cherokee rose |
| State Wildflower | Azalea |
| State Bird | Brown thrasher |
| State Game Bird | Bobwhite quail |
| State Reptile | Gopher tortoise |
| State Gem | Quartz |
| State Tree | Live Oak |
| State Fruit | Peach |
| State Crop | Peanut |
| State Fish | Largemouth bass |
| State Mineral | Staurolite |
| State Marine Mammal | Right whale |
| State Vegetable | Vidalia onion |
| State Butterfly | Eastern tiger swallowtail |
| Longitude | 80.840 – 85.605° W |
| Latitude | 30.356 – 34.985° N |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone |
| Website | www.georgia.gov |
| Area Codes | 229, 404, 470, 478, 678, 706, 762, 770, 912 |
| Table last updated | July 1, 2024 |